Business Insurance in Biddeford, ME
Experts break down business insurance costs, coverage, companies, and more in Biddeford, ME.
Jeff Green has held a variety of sales and management roles at life insurance companies, Wall street firms, and distribution organizations over his 40-year career. He was previously Finra 7,24,66 registered and held life insurance licenses in multiple states. He is a graduate of Stony Brook University.
Biddeford is Maine's sixth-largest city, located 15 miles south of Portland and 90 miles north of Boston. This historic city has long been the commercial hub of York County. Today its economy is driven by a healthy mix of manufacturing, technology, and service-based companies, such as Southern Maine Health Care and the University of New England.
Whether you own a small or a large business in Biddeford, you need business insurance to protect you when something goes wrong. An independent insurance agent can help you compare business insurance quotes in Biddeford, ME.
How Much Does Business Insurance Cost in Biddeford, ME?
Business insurance costs are not the same for every company in Biddeford, ME. Various factors determine how much you'll pay for your business coverage. Some of the typical variables that are used to assess business insurance premiums in Biddeford, ME are as follows:
- The company’s annual gross sales and payroll
- The company’s employee count
- The size and physical location of the company
- The company's physical assets (buildings, vehicles, machines, equipment, inventory, etc.)
- The nature of the business (what does the company do?)
- The company’s prior insurance claims history.
If your city is prone to problems like crime and natural disasters, you’ll pay more for business insurance because you have a greater likelihood of filing a claim. In Maine, there have been 62 federally declared disasters since 1953. The main risks to property owners in Maine are:
- Severe storms and lightning
- Flooding and water damage
- Heavy snow
- Hurricanes and tropical storms
- Burglary and other property crimes
Working with an independent insurance agent who understands your risks is important.
Is Business Insurance Required in Biddeford, ME?
Business insurance is a set of insurance policies covering commercial property and liability risks. Most types of business insurance are not required in Biddeford, ME, but you must purchase commercial auto insurance if your business owns any vehicles.
Maine law requires business vehicle owners to purchase commercial auto insurance with the following minimum coverage limits:
- Liability coverage with minimum limits of $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage
- A minimum of $2,000 per person in medical payments coverage
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage at a minimum of $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
Bodily injury liability insurance covers you if you are at fault in an accident and someone other than yourself is injured. Property damage liability insurance covers damage to another person's vehicle or property in an accident that is your fault.
In addition to commercial auto insurance, most employers with at least one employee must have workers' compensation insurance, with a few exceptions. Workers' compensation insurance pays for lost income and medical expenses when employees are injured.
What Does Business Insurance Cover in Biddeford, ME?
Business insurance in Biddeford, ME pays for covered claims, so you don't suffer financial losses when something goes wrong. Depending on your coverage, it can help you pay for property damage, liability claims, and even worker injuries and illnesses.
Business insurance is not a single policy. Instead, it's a set of individual policies that offer comprehensive coverage for your business. A typical business insurance package in Biddeford, ME will include:
- Commercial property insurance: This covers damage to a building and its contents if damaged by a weather event, fire, theft, vandalism, and other covered perils.
- Commercial general liability (CGL) insurance: Protects your business from lawsuits related to bodily injury and property damage claims. It pays for medical expenses, legal fees, and financial settlements or judgments. Your CGL policy even covers claims such as libel and slander.
- Business interruption coverage: Protects your earnings if your business cannot operate because of damage after a fire, hail, wind, equipment breakdown, or another covered event. If you must temporarily close your doors to make repairs, this coverage pays for rent, employee salaries, lost income, relocation fees, etc.
- Workers’ compensation insurance: Pays for medical expenses and a portion of an employee's lost wages after a work-related injury.
- Commercial auto insurance: Protects your business-owned cars and trucks from property damage and liability claims.
Every business is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all business insurance plan. Your business needs coverage that protects against its risk exposures, which means you’re likely to need additional policies or special coverage to help you fully protect your business.
What Does Small Business Liability Insurance Cover in Biddeford, ME?
Liability insurance is critical for any small business in Biddeford, ME. Small business liability insurance is essentially lawsuit coverage.
The main building block of your liability protection will be a commercial general liability (CGL) policy. It will provide broad protection against many lawsuits and negligence claims, especially those that indicate your business is responsible for damaging property or injuring someone.
A CGL policy has two major coverage components:
- Premises liability insurance: Covers third-party damages, injuries, or illness resulting from property ownership, maintenance, and business operations conducted on and away from your premises.
- Product liability insurance: Covers third-party damage, injuries, or illnesses caused by a defect in a product your company produces, sells, or promotes.
It’s important to understand that businesses often have liability risks beyond what a CGL policy can cover. Fortunately, there are several additional small business liability policies available. And in some cases, you can add the additional coverage you need to your CGL policy with an endorsement.
You can customize your small business liability insurance coverage to include the following, as needed:
- Employment practices liability insurance: Covers your business against accusations of illegal business practices such as discrimination and wrongful termination.
- Environmental liability insurance: Covers your business if an accident results in your company polluting the land, water, or air.
- Cyber liability insurance: Covers certain costs associated with cyberattacks, data breaches, viruses, and related lawsuits.
- Professional liability insurance: Covers individuals in professional positions if an error in judgment or a professional mistake causes financial damage to a third party.
An independent agent can help you determine if these or other small business liability products suit your Biddeford, ME business.
Are There Any Small Business Health Insurance Plans in Biddeford, ME?
Employee benefits like health insurance serve a critical purpose for many employees. Employee benefits are linked to a decrease in employee absenteeism and improved morale. What's more, a good employee benefits plan that includes health insurance helps companies attract and retain top employees.
Employers who offer employee health plans may also be eligible for significant tax benefits.
There are many different health insurance policy types and options available for you in Biddeford, ME. A local independent agent can help you find affordable small business health insurance plans in your community.
What Are the Best Small Business Insurance Companies in Biddeford, ME?
Finding the best small business insurance companies in Biddeford, ME can be simple. A local independent insurance agent can help you get business insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies to select the best policy for your needs and budget.
How Can an Independent Insurance Agent Help Me Find the Best Business Insurance in Biddeford, ME?
Instead of getting an online quote, find an independent insurance agent now, and get one-on-one consultation and affordable options for the best coverage for your unique needs. Your agent will work with you free of charge, offering you a variety of business insurance quotes in Biddeford to help you make the best choice.
What’s more, your agent will be there for you when claim time comes. They know the ins and outs of the process and will make sure your claim is handled appropriately.
Contact an agent today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
https://www.biddefordmaine.org/2363/In-About-Biddeford
https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/consumers/auto-insurance/insurance-required-by-law
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/an-employers-guide-to-workers-compensation-in-maine.html