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Business Insurance for Online Businesses
Running an online business can leave you open to unique risks. Business insurance, also known as commercial insurance, can help protect you from these kinds of risks and other common ones that many small business owners face. Without it, you could be responsible for paying claims out of pocket.
You may be wondering, “Do online businesses need insurance?” While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, it’s a good idea to have coverage if you:
- Operate your online business from a physical location that you own or rent
- Have digital or physical property that can get stolen or damaged, such as customer data or inventory
Why Do Online Businesses Need Insurance?
Your online business isn’t just a website. You also use social media, email and other digital platforms to operate your company, leaving you open to potential risks. Business insurance can help if:
- Someone hacks your online business’ payment system and takes information related to your customers’ credit cards.
- A photographer sues your business for copyright infringement for using their photo without permission.
- Your client files a lawsuit against your business for breach of contract.
That’s why online businesses need insurance. It helps protect your company in different situations and can prevent you from paying for costly claims. Learn more about why you need business insurance today.
What Insurance Do Online Businesses Need?
Protecting your business from various claims is essential to its growth and success. Learn about what types of business insurance you should have to protect your online business.
Data Breach Insurance
Many online businesses store sensitive or confidential customer information. If you lose this information, data breach insurance and cyber liability insurance can help. This coverage helps your business respond to a data breach and can help cover your costs to:
- Notify impacted customers
- Offer credit monitoring services
- Improve your business’ reputation
Business Owner’s Policy for Online Businesses
Many small businesses have a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP). Having this is a good starting point for online business insurance because it combines three coverages into one policy. With a BOP, your online business has:
- General liability insurance, which helps protect against claims of bodily injury or property damage.
- Commercial property insurance to help protect the owned or rented physical location, equipment or tools your business uses.
- Business income insurance to help cover your lost income if you can’t operate because of a covered loss, such as property damage.
Product Liability Insurance for Online Retailers
Product liability insurance helps protect your business if something you sell online hurts someone or damages their property. For example, let’s say a customer buys a battery from your website but a defect causes it to overheat and the customer burns themselves. They then sue your business for their injury and medical costs. Product liability insurance can help defend your business in court or cover a settlement or judgment.
Professional Liability Insurance
Your customers can sue you if they believe you made a mistake in your professional services. That’s why having professional liability coverage as one of your internet insurance options is important.
Let’s say you run an online marketing consulting business. You design a new marketing plan for a client. After they launch it, their sales decrease and they lose revenue. They sue your business and blame your company for the lower sales. Professional liability insurance coverage can help pay your legal fees and costs in this situation.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Most states require businesses with employees to have workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation gives your employees benefits if they get a work-related injury or illness. For example, if one of your drivers hurts themselves after slipping on ice while making a delivery, workers’ compensation can help cover their treatment costs.
If your online business has employees, check with your state to see if you need to have this insurance. Depending on your state, you can get workers’ compensation insurance from:
- An insurance company or insurance agency
- A state-run fund
- A monopolistic fund
Commercial Auto Insurance
If you or your employees use your own car for business, your personal car insurance may not offer enough protection on the road. Instead, you’ll want to look at a commercial auto insurance policy. This can help cover property damage if you or your employees get into a car accident while driving for business.
How Do I Get Business Insurance For My Online Business?
If you buy online business insurance, your digital business can get well-rounded protection. We understand your online business has unique needs and we’re here to help make sure you’re covered. Our specialists are here to answer your questions and get you the right coverage for your online business. We know your time is valuable, so we’ve made it quick and easy to get an online quote.
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Last Updated: July 12, 2022