Anderson Business Insurance

Find the right business insurance policy for you.

Written by Meg Stefanac
Written by Meg Stefanac

Financial blogger and business owner, Meg Stefanac, has more than 15 years experience working in the financial services industry and enjoys helping individuals make solid financial decisions. Meg has extensive experience writing about insurance and finances and is a key contributor to TrustedChoice.com.

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Businesswomen shaking hands with new hire at the office

The city of Anderson is home to more than 3,000 businesses of varying size and scope. While manufacturing and retail trade companies are most abundant here, any business that meets the needs of the community has the opportunity to thrive. If you are among Anderson’s proud business owners, you will want to be sure to protect your investment with business insurance

For those who are not familiar with the many options and insurance products available to businesses, building a comprehensive commercial insurance plan can be complicated. Independent insurance agents in Anderson can eliminate the guesswork by helping you obtain the coverage you need at a competitive price. Find an insurance agent near you to learn more.

Why Do Businesses in Anderson Need Liability Coverage?

Liability lawsuits against US businesses often result in judgments that exceed $1 million. That is why all business insurance policies include commercial general liability insurance (CGL). It is designed to cover the costs associated with some of the common liability risks that most businesses face. Its two main coverage components are:

  • Premises liability insurance: Designed to cover third-party injuries, illnesses, and property damage when they occur as a result of an accident on your business premises. 
  • Product liability insurance:  Designed to cover third-party injuries, illnesses, or property damage when they are caused by products your company produces, sells, or promotes.

CGL is a basic liability coverage that does not cover every liability risk. Depending on what your businesses does and the types of exposures it has, additional coverage may be necessary for your company to be fully covered. Some of the many other commercial liability products that you may want to consider include:

  • Cyber liability insurance: Designed to cover your business against the financial damages it may face if hackers break through your company’s firewalls and access sensitive customer data that has been stored electronically.
  • Environmental liability insurance: Designed to cover the cost of clean-up and restitution if toxic substances used or produced by your company pollute the land, water, or air due to an accident at your facility.
  • Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI): Designed to cover the cost of defending your company if a current or former employee makes an accusation of illegal business practices such as harassment, discrimination, or wrongful termination.
  • Professional liability insurance:  Designed to cover individuals in professional positions, such as financial advisers and event planners, if they are sued for damages or grievances that can be attributed to errors in judgment or other professional mistakes.

An independent insurance agent can help you determine which of the many available commercial liability products are a good fit for your particular business.

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What Kinds of Damage Does Commercial Property Insurance Cover?

In addition to liability coverage, all business insurance policies provide property coverage. Commercial property insurance is designed to cover your business-owned property in the event that it is lost or damaged by a covered event. Covered assets include tools and machinery, office furniture, supplies, inventory, outdoor signs, and more. Businesses in Anderson are most at risk for damage caused accidental structure fires, heavy snows, freezing temperatures, severe storms with heavy winds, and hailTornadoes also pose a risk, particularly for businesses located just outside the city.

Another serious risk to businesses in the Anderson area is flooding, particularly for businesses close to the White River and the Boland Ditch and Pittsford Ditch canals. Unfortunately, flood damage is not covered by business insurance. In order to be fully covered, you will also need to purchase a commercial flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Company (NFIP.) An independent insurance agent can help.

Why Is Business Interruption Insurance Important for Anderson Businesses?

The state of Indiana sees its fair share of natural disasters.

  • Number of federally declared disasters in Indiana since 1953: 48
  • Most common reasons for disasters in the state:  Severe Storms
  • Average number of tornadoes per year in Indiana: 24.6
  • Average amount paid in business insurance claims per year in IN:  $5.52 billion

If a severe weather event, such as the F4 tornado that touched down less than 10 miles from the Anderson city center in 1972, were to severely damage your business, you might need to remain closed for weeks, or even months, while repairs were made. Would your business be able to withstand the financial hit if it were forced to remain closed for an extended period in the wake of a disaster? For most small businesses, the resultant loss of income could lead to bankruptcy. That is why, in times of crisis, it pays to have business interruption insurance.

Business interruption insurance is designed to provide a continuation of income if your business is forced into long-term closure due to excessive damage caused by a covered event. This insurance enables you to keep paying monthly expenses and employee salaries until your company can resume its normal business operations.

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Save on Business Insurance

Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.

Do All Anderson Businesses Need Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

In Indiana, all employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. It is not necessary to purchase coverage for sole proprietors, partners, or LLC members, but you can cover these people if you wish to. Additionally, corporate officers are included in coverage but may opt to be exempt. In general, independent contractors’ injuries are not covered by workers’ compensation insurance; however, independent contractors in the building and construction trades must be certified with the Indiana Worker’s Compensation Board.

Workers’ compensation insurance protects businesses and employees alike by covering the expenses related to medical care and lost wages if an employee is injured or becomes ill on the job. In the unfortunate event that a workplace injury is fatal, this insurance can also provide survivor benefits to the deceased employee’s dependents.

The cost of workers’ compensation insurance for your business will be dependent mostly on the types of jobs your employees do and how likely they are to be injured while at work. It would cost far more to cover a construction worker than to cover a receptionist at St. Vincent Anderson Hospital. Your local insurance agent can help you purchase workers' compensation coverage through a commercial provider that specializes in covering businesses in your industry. Or, if approved, your company may choose to self-insure. 

What about Insurance Products for Employee Benefits Packages?

Many studies conducted by human resources professionals have concluded that offering your employees benefits such as life insurance and health insurance can help your business attract and retain a talented workforce. Unfortunately, rising health insurance costs can make shopping for this coverage daunting for many small business owners. The good news is that independent insurance agents in Anderson can help.

  • Average amount spent on healthcare coverage by IN businesses: $674,206
  • Ranked 24th for highest medical insurance costs in the US
  • Average annual cost of health care in IN: $6,113/person or $15,724/family

A local independent insurance agent can explain the pros and cons of the many different health and life insurance policies that are available to your business. That way, you can make an informed choice when deciding which coverage is the best to include in your employee benefits package.

Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent in Anderson, IN?

As a business owner in Anderson, you can get the best commercial insurance coverage by working with a local independent insurance agent. These experienced insurance professionals can help you identify the various risks your business faces, and can then help you find the right insurance products to cover against those exposures.

Contact an insurance agent in or near Anderson to discover how easy it can be to build a comprehensive, yet affordable, business insurance policy.

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https://www.census.gov/quickfacts

https://www.fema.gov/disasters

http://www.naic.org/prod_serv/AUT-PB-14.pdf

https://www.nfib.com/content/legal-compliance/legal/workers-compensation-laws-state-by-state-comparison-57181/

https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/benefits/pages/alter-benefits-attract-retain.aspx

https://www.business.org/hr/benefits/top-reasons-to-offer-employee-benefits/

http://www.city-data.com