Commercial insurance

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As the leaves change and the year winds down, fall is an ideal time for business owners to pause and evaluate their insurance needs. A year-end review can help ensure your coverage still aligns with your business operations, protects against seasonal risks, and positions you well for the coming year.
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Whether you're just starting your business or have been running it for years, understanding the types of insurance your business may need is critical to managing risk. Two of the most common forms of business insurance are general liability and professional liability. While they may sound similar, they address different types of exposures and serve distinct purposes.
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With temperatures rising across Illinois, businesses in landscaping, construction, and agriculture face a serious seasonal risk: heat-related illness among employees. Taking steps to manage heat exposure isn't just a safety best practice - it can also help reduce liability and avoid costly incidents.
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As a business owner in Illinois, you have the option of hiring contract or permanent employees – and many more businesses are using contract workers while sorting out the uncertainty in the economy. A contract employee is essentially a freelancer who has agreed to work for you for a mutually-agreed upon period of time, which may be extended if you see fit. A permanent employee has been hired with the understanding that he or she will go on working for you until a termination or a resignation. Both types of employees have their advantages and disadvantages. Some of the advantages of contract employees, however, are illusory.
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Even businesses with the most effective Human Resources Departments and the happiest of employees are vulnerable to lawsuits. Unforeseen situations can quickly escalate, positive working relationships can turn sour, and employees can become litigious, sometimes without valid reason. Unfortunately, even the most bogus claims must be addressed in court, and legal fees associated with winning a lawsuit can exceed $250,000, which hardly feels like a victory.
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We've said it before: the distinction between a small and large business is somewhat arbitrary. At what point in the business growth life cycle do you cross over? One way to answer the question is when your business no longer qualifies for a Business Owners Package Policy. The BOP bundles up several kinds of insurance protection in one policy. But as business become larger the risks they pose become more varied and difficult to address in one policy.
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An impending lawsuit is never good news. Not only are they costly, but, perhaps worse, they can permanently damage a company's reputation, an expense no business can easily afford during highly competitive consumer and employee markets like the current. While companies are sued for a range of reasons, there are a few recurring culprits that can be avoided with appropriate planning, clear communication, and due diligence.
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Extreme weather is becoming more and more common these days, but even run-of-the-mill heat, rain, or snow can ruin an event or make it very difficult to carry out certain business operations, like construction. And when you have put thousands of dollars into a multi-day festival, film shoot, wedding, outdoor sale, or any type of activity that can be negatively impacted by the weather, it can be devastating to have to cancel or postpone due to intense heat or a dangerous storm. Even worse, you might not be able to recoup your costs, unless you have weather insurance.
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Business insurance is a must in today's climate, but many owners don't understand the basic ins-and-outs of this type of policy, including why it's necessary, what it covers, and how to get the right coverage for yourself and your business. Here are five common myths about business insurance, and the myth-busters that you need to know.
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Every type of business comes with its own unique risks. When it comes to insuring your business, you want to make sure you have the right type and amount of coverage, while not paying for coverage you really don't need. So how can you make sure you're getting the best deal, but not putting your business at risk?
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For a small business owner, having to let go of employees is never easy. When employees have become like friends or even family, it can be especially tough to make a decision to do what's right for your business. So how do you know when it's time to let people go, and how do you downsize in the most humane way possible? Here are some things you should consider before downsizing, and some tips for going through the process.
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So your business is growing, and that's a great thing. But as you add employees, assets, services, or any other elements, your business operations naturally become more complex. In addition, as your business grows, different laws and regulations may start to apply. If you're at a point where it's getting hard to keep up with all the rules you're supposed to be following and monitor whether your employees are fulfilling their legal and ethical responsibilities, it might be time to look into hiring a compliance officer.
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After a year of living through a global pandemic, many people's work lives look much, much different. While many of us are excited to get back to the office, others actually worry about returning to the demands of a nine to five schedule away from home. Employees and employers alike are wondering: is remote work here to stay?
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Recently, we covered the basics of commercial umbrella insurance: What is it, and is it right for your business? This month, we'll get into a few more details, and look at some of the instances in which commercial umbrella insurance might apply.
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As a small business owner, you want to keep your business, employees, and customers safe. Whether you're a new business owner or a veteran who just wants to make sure you're doing things right, here's a checklist of things you can do to promote a safe and healthy working environment.
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Thinking of starting a business? You should know that the way you choose to structure your business for official and tax purposes matters. It can impact how much you pay in taxes, whether partners are allowed to participate in managing the business, and your amount of personal liability. Here are a few of the most common business types, and what you need to know about some of their major differences.
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All business owners in Illinois need solid, affordable insurance, and many companies require multiple types. But what happens when something goes wrong and your insurance doesn't cover it? If the cost to pay for injury to others exceeds your policy limits, or worse, is excluded by the insurance policies you have, you could be stuck with potentially crippling out-of-pocket costs.
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