36.5 F
Schenectady
Tuesday, May 12, 2026

How to buy insurance for a business so financial disaster doesn’t strike

spot_img
spot_img

Many Main Street businesses could be playing with fire — literally — by not maintaining appropriate levels of business insurance coverage, especially given the spate of natural disasters affecting multiple areas of the U.S.

Skimping on property damage and business interruption coverage is understandable to some extent, given the cost. While the price of a business owner’s policy — designed for small businesses in low-risk industries — varies based on a variety of underwriting factors and optional coverages selected, generally speaking, a small business owner might pay somewhere between $500 and $3,500 per year for this type of policy, according to Pogo, which helps owners find insurance.

But pinching pennies can be foolhardy as climate change continues to impact the severity of weather-related events. As of Sept. 11, there had been 23 confirmed weather/climate disaster events this year with losses exceeding $1 billion each in the U.S., according to The National Centers for Environmental Information, which was above both the long-term and five-year annual averages. These events included two flooding events, 18 severe storm events, one tropical cyclone event, one wildfire event, and one winter storm event. 

Hurricanes don’t just happen in Florida and tornadoes don’t just touch down in Kansas, said John Hyland, who leads the Sentry Insurance unit that providers business insurance solutions. Especially with weather patterns changing, a natural disaster is “coming to your neighborhood more and more often,” he said. 

Consider Friday’s flash floods in New York as an example of this new reality.

Here’s what small businesses need to know about business insurance amid climate change:

Understand property damage exclusions and deductibles — the fine print matters more than ever.

There’s often a big disconnect between coverage business owners think they are getting and what they actually are getting, said Hubert Klein, partner and practice leader for the Financial Advisory Services Group at EisnerAmper. They should press for greater detail with insurance agents and know, for instance, what property damage is covered and what exclusions may apply. They should also know what their deductible is and when coverage kicks in. It’s also important to understand whether the policy covers the full cost of replacement cost and what limitations apply.

Owners also have to understand the nuances of business interruption coverage, which can include waiting periods, co-insurance requirements and provisions for civil authority bans, when certain areas are declared inaccessible after a disaster. 

The fine print matters, Klein said. He offers the example of a business with multiple locations and roughly $20 million of coverage. If there’s a $1.5 million per-location limit and the business suffers extensive damage to multiple facilities, the business may not be adequately covered. By contrast, a policy that has a blanket limit might be more favorable, even with a slightly lower limit overall, Klein said.

Don’t rely on a policy’s ‘summary’ info or opt for lower cost without a thorough understanding of coverages.

Many small businesses chase prices without understanding what they are giving up, Klein said. At renewal time, they may get sticker shock and ask for a premium reduction, but they don’t always understand there are trade-offs for a $300 or $3,000 policy reduction, he said. He recommends owners read their policy carefully, not relying solely on the summary of costs or summary of coverages. 

Run through likely weather scenarios and don’t expect to ‘beat the storm.’

To ensure they are appropriately covered, owners should perform a thorough evaluation of what could go wrong with respect to their business property, whether that’s fire, flood, hurricane or something else. This analysis should take into account how much cash the business owner has on hand in the event of a disaster.

Owners “tend to think they can outsmart the weatherman or beat the storm,” Klein said. 

Even businesses that aren’t directly affected by disasters can face unexpected issues. In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, for example, some businesses didn’t have direct damage to their facilities, but utility company issues left them without power for weeks, Hyland said. Businesses that were properly covered for this type of occurrence had a source of revenue to continue paying their employees and the other expenses, he said.

Decisions related to specific coverage, endorsements and deductibles will vary based on a particular business’s needs, but it’s important to understand the various exposures, Hyland said. Even if businesses decide not to purchase particular coverages, they shouldn’t be oblivious to the potential exposure, he said.

Conduct an annual review and include inflation in business valuation and property replacement cost estimates.

Inflation makes the cost of replacing property more expensive, and the coverage you planned for three years ago may no longer be appropriate given a changed price environment. Yet many businesses don’t re-evaluate their insurance needs and coverage yearly, Klein said. 

Most business policies build in inflation-adjustments, but they often aren’t enough to keep up with real-world scenarios such as supply issues, significantly higher labor costs and longer completion times, said Nancy Germond, executive director of risk management and education at The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America.

Check if more emergency cash might be required in your geographic market.

In certain areas of the country, the deductible for perils related to fire, wind and hail are higher than deductibles for other covered events, said Jen Tadin, managing director of the global small business practice at Gallagher, an insurance brokerage and risk management consultant. Especially in riskier markets, business owners may have to keep more cash on hand than say 30 or even 45 days, especially when there are higher deductibles to consider. “We can’t change the fact that in Florida, you’ll have a higher deductible. But you have to plan for it,” Tadin said.

Consider a separate flood insurance policy. 

Small business owners don’t think they’ll suffer significant water damage or they may assume they have more coverage for water damage than is available in most standard business policies, Tadin said. Indeed, there are heavy exclusions that can make it difficult to collect in the case of a flood. That’s why having a separate flood policy or endorsement can be important. Businesses looking for flood insurance can check to see if The National Flood Insurance Program could be appropriate, or consider flood insurance through a private carrier. 

Online insurance is convenient but may fall short of identifying all of your needs.

While it’s easy to buy coverage online, there can be value in working with a professional who is familiar with the intricacies of business insurance, your industry and your particular business. You wouldn’t have heart surgery without doing some background work — the same should apply when you’re choosing an agent or company to work with, Hyland said.

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America offers a resource for owners to find potential agents. They can plug in their zip code and other filters to find a professional who meets their criteria. Find someone who focuses on your industry and who understands “your pain points and special coverage you might need,” Germond said.

spot_img
Chris Washington
Chris Washingtonhttps://whnynews.com
Chris Washington brings over 25 years of experience in financial journalism to WHNY News. A Schenectady native, Chris has a keen eye for business trends impacting upstate New York. His insightful reporting has earned him numerous accolades. Chris holds a degree in Economics from Syracuse University.
Latest news
Read More

23 COMMENTS

  1. 362247 31301certainly like your internet internet site but you need to check the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I locate it very troublesome to tell the truth nevertheless I will undoubtedly come back again. 836653

  2. 639686 386319Good to be visiting your weblog once far more, it continues to be months for me. Nicely this post that ive been waited for so lengthy. I want this write-up to total my assignment inside the university, and it has very same subject together together with your post. Thanks, terrific share. 593894

  3. Die Verquickung unterschiedlicher Neurosen und Abhängigkeiten, die dieses Trio unaufhaltsam in den Abgrund ziehen, ist
    von beinahe Shakespearschen Dimensionen. Die Wiederaufnahme der Gangsterthematik
    und Variation auf GoodFellas basiert wie der Vorgängerfilm auf einem
    Tatsachenbericht des Mafia-Rechercheurs Nicholas Pileggi,
    setzt dessen intime Milieubeschreibung aber noch rasanter und den Figuren gegenüber distanzierter um.

    Aufstieg und Fall eines Casino-Managers und seines Jugendfreundes im mafiabeherrschten Las Vegas der siebziger Jahre.
    Um die Gesamtbewertung der Sterne und die
    prozentuale Aufschlüsselung nach Sternen zu berechnen, verwenden wir keinen einfachen Durchschnitt.
    Die Entwicklung ihrer Figur führt vor Augen, wie sich dieser Mythos von Las
    Vegas verändert und schlussendlich sein hässliches Gesicht zeigt, wenn er den Menschen arm und abhängig wie
    eine verbrauchte Hülle ausspuckt. Passend dazu inszeniert Scorsese in Zusammenarbeit mit Kameramann Robert Richardson das
    Casino an sich als fantastische Illusion von Erfolg und Glück,
    in welchem in Wahrheit nichts dem Zufall überlassen wird.

    Als Sam Rothstein brilliert De Niro, der der Rolle die für ihn typische Intensität und
    Aufmerksamkeit verleiht. In Bezug auf die Kostüme trägt Robert de Niro während des Films 70 verschiedene Kostüme und Sharon Stone 40 verschiedene Kleider für ein Gesamtbudget von einer Million Dollar.
    Ähnlich wie im Film wurde Spilotro aufgrund
    seiner zahlreichen Ausrutscher mit einem Baseballschläger
    geschlagen und 1986 während eines Mob-Reunions in einem Maisfeld in Indiana zusammen mit seinem Bruder lebendig begraben .
    Diese Ähnlichkeit in der Besetzung und im Team sowie viele gemeinsame Themen der beiden Filme
    – Mafia-Universum, Aufstieg und Fall des Helden, Untreue und Verrat, wobei der Voice-Over
    die Handlung kommentiert – haben einige Kritiker oder Zuschauer veranlasst .
    Casino ist die achte Zusammenarbeit zwischen Scorsese und seinem Lieblingsschauspieler Robert De Niro.
    Die Geschichte ist inspiriert von einem Buch von Nicholas Pileggi , der zusammen mit dem Regisseur
    das Drehbuch unterzeichnet hat.
    Von Gewinnern und VerlierernFür ihre insgesamt achte
    Zusammenarbeit ließen sich Regisseur Martin Scorsese und Schauspieler Robert de Niro vom Leben des Glücksspielers Frank „Lefty“ Rosenthal inspirieren, der mehrere sehr erfolgreiche Casinos in Las Vegas, darunter das Stardust, leitete und Verbindungen zu
    Chicagoer Unterwelt unterhielt. Ein komplexer Abschluss der mit Mean Streets» und GoodFellas
    begonnenen moralischen Gangstergeschichten Scorseses.
    Die hinter virtuosen filmischen Einfällen verborgene
    unmelodramatische Genauigkeit dieses Porträts verweigert sich rein emotionalem Zugang.
    Glücklicherweise haben wir Kasinos, die wahllos in unseren Wohnzimmern auftauchen, damit wir uns auf unterhaltsame Weise
    daran erinnern können, wie das „alte“ Las Vegas aussah.
    Der echte Linkshänder besaß zwar ein Haus auf einem Golfplatz,
    aber diese Szene wurde dort nicht gefilmt. Das traurige Ende für Stones Ginger-Figur wurde in einer der Cabana-Suiten im El
    Cortez Hotel & Casino gefilmt, dem klassischen Downtown-Casino von Las
    Vegas, über das wir geschrieben haben, als
    es 2016 sein 75-jähriges Bestehen feierte.

    References:
    https://online-spielhallen.de/leon-casino-deutschland-ihr-umfassender-leitfaden-fur-ein-erstklassiges-spielerlebnis/

  4. Als sie erfährt, dass er in Wirklichkeit ein Adliger ist, der einer anderen versprochen ist,
    bringt sie sich aus Verzweiflung um. Der ansässige Choreograf Wayne McGregor leitet ein brillantes künstlerisches Team, das Woolfs charakteristischen Schreibstil des Bewusstseinsstroms
    in diesem gewaltigen Werk, das traditionelle Erzählstrukturen ablehnt, zum Leben erweckt.
    Virginia Woolf widersetzte sich den literarischen Konventionen, um reiche innere Welten darzustellen – ihre überhöhte,
    verblüffende und ergreifende Realität. Das patriarchale Paradies scheint perfekt,
    bis ein Kurzschluss der gerade eingezogenen Waschmaschine
    die beiden ins Jahr 2025 katapultiert.
    Die Bewegungen der Sessel in ALLE Richtungen, in Verbindung
    mit einer Vibrationsfunktion sind optimal mit der Handlung, Dynamik und Atmosphäre
    auf der Leinwand abgestimmt. Die bewegungsintensiven Sessel, machen jeden Kinobesuch zu
    einem außergewöhnlichen Erlebnis. Die höhere Bilddichte wird das Auge eines jeden Cineasten begeistern.

    References:
    https://online-spielhallen.de/boomerang-casino-promo-code-ihr-umfassender-ratgeber/

  5. Free online slots allow players to spin the reels without wagering
    real money. The latest slots and casino games often boast stunning graphics and
    more complex features than ever before, with developers using cutting-edge software
    to deliver an immersive gaming experience. Rush Games is
    the free-to-play extension of the trusted BetRivers
    brand, offering online slots and table games
    in a completely legal, non-monetary format for players in New York.
    The casino games at Slotomania are developed by Playtika, a leading gaming software company, ensuring
    a top-notch gaming experience for New York players. Online gambling has been a topic
    of ongoing discussion in the Empire State for some time—but what are your options for playing casino-style games online in New York?
    Most free casino slots for fun are colorful and visually
    appealing, so about 20% of players play for fun and then for
    real money.
    We’ll also point you to the best online casinos for baccarat, including where to play with a bonus to boost your bankroll.
    Baccarat can now be found at most online casinos, but still remains a mystery to
    a lot of casino players. We’ll also show you the
    best online casinos for craps, and where you can play with a bonus.

    Dive into our games pages to find real money casinos featuring your favorite titles.

  6. Winning this seat is a dream for any poker player.
    On Mondays players can enjoy a Texas Holdr’em freeroll that offers
    a $1,000 prize pool. There are numerous tournaments throughout the week,
    including a popular no re-buy turbo for $110. Two primary
    games are dealt here – Texas Hold’em and Omaha.
    In the Lotus Room, players can locate a poker parlour and a
    sports bar.
    Regardless, it offers a variety of table games
    and TAB betting facilities, and also regularly hosts top-class poker
    tournaments. This small casino is located in the heart
    of Canberra’s CBD.While it offers a limited selection of table games and sports betting,
    the bar boasts a good range of spirits and reasonably priced cocktails.Getting
    in is straightforward; simply show your driver’s license.
    With an emphasis on poker, tournaments, and table games, this
    casino can be seen as more of a side trip than a primary destination for
    those visiting the area. The poker room offers low stakes cash games, with a mere $1
    or $5 minimum stake, as well as tables for high rollers.

    In our experiences Crown Plaza Hotel has rooms to suit most types of punter,
    with these including luxury and budget options.
    This restriction surrounding pokies is brought about because their license does not
    allow them to have electronic poker machines.
    Casino Canberra does not however host poker machines, because their license
    does not allow it. Casino Canberra is not just a gambling venue, with the precinct also featuring entertainment venues, restaurants
    and accommodation. An unforgettable experience is attending the Anzac Day Dawn service at The Australian War Memorial.
    Conveniently situated in the centre of Turner, Little Midnight 1 offers a
    balcony, air conditioning, free WiFi and flat-screen TV.

    References:
    https://blackcoin.co/best-no-deposit-bonuses-2025-the-ultimate-guide/

  7. 66762 945216This style is spectacular! You certainly know how to maintain a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own weblog (nicely, almostHaHa!) Great job. I truly enjoyed what you had to say, and far more than that, how you presented it. Too cool! 613293

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here