Commercial Insurance for Retail Businesses: What You Have to Know

At Johnsen Insurance, we can help Baraboo, WI retail businesses find the insurance they need to protect their facility. Our team is standing by to help you understand your options to ensure protection. Please get in touch with us to learn more about the different options available to you.

Types You Need

Commercial insurance provides a broad array of protection types and is great for various needs. If you’re a retail store owner or manager, it’s important to make sure that your policy has the following protection for your needs:

  • Commercial property (covers your facility against fire, floods, and other natural disasters)
  • Business income (protects you if your facility closes for any reason)
  • Liability (both normal and cyber liability may be necessary)
  • Equipment breakdown (keeps your facility safe against breakdowns)

Other Options to Consider 

The basic policies mentioned above should provide you with the necessary coverage. Note that there are other types of extra coverage you might want to consider if you’re concerned about your facility. Just a few of the most common include:

  • Auto insurance (rare for retail, but sometimes needed for delivery vehicles)
  • Employee dishonesty (smart for retail because it covers theft)
  • Workers’ compensation (critical for most retail stores) 
  • Utility services (important if a loss of electricity shuts you down)
  • Umbrella policies (not always necessary for retail stores but often useful)

Get the Policy You Need 

Our team at Johnsen Insurance can help you find commercial insurance for your retail business and ensure that things go smoothly. If you live in or around Baraboo, WI, and want to work with a local insurance team you can trust, please get in touch with us today to learn more about your options and keep your retail facility safe.

Difference Between Commercial And Business Insurance

The insurance professionals at Johnsen Insurance in Baraboo, WI can help explain that commercial insurance differs from business insurance mainly due to the presence of a fleet. A business such as a mobile pet grooming service might carry only such insurance as pertains to that business. 

Commercial business insurance covers different types of vehicles such as gravel trucks and delivery trucks using more than six wheels (picture a grocery store home delivery truck.) The requirements for each type of insurance differ – we can assist you with each of these. 

The Basics Of Commercial/Business Insurance

Since they both cover the same things, most people use the terms interchangeably. The goal is to cover injuries and defective products, along with fire, flood, and the vagaries of weather. Both offer liability, workers’ compensation, and property insurance. Where do they differ?

Business Vehicles Insurance

If you operate a business with a sales team, that would fall under business insurance. Perhaps you own a carpet cleaning company with specialized equipment on your trucks. You’d need commercial insurance. Which type is right for you?

Business Insurance

A fleet of cars or a fleet of pickup trucks or vans constitutes “regular traffic” users. As such, they require simple business insurance in order to protect the company from accidents and injuries. A sole operator using a car for his company can still be covered by business vehicle insurance. 

Commercial Insurance

This is more expensive due to the vehicles being bigger and the possibility of bigger accidents. Your vehicles might transport people, equipment, or tools for a variety of reasons and businesses. Your vehicles will be larger than those needed for a business fleet. Commercial insurance was designed to protect the vehicle as well as the people.

Call Johnsen Insurance in Baraboo, WI to learn more – we are happy to help. 

What Are The Risks Of Not having Commercial Insurance?

Running a business is always expensive, so the last thing you want to do is to add more expenses, such as commercial insurance. Therefore, many business owners prefer to operate their businesses without insurance to save money. If you are one of them, it is important to know about possible risks you may face. Consult with Johnsen Insurance in Baraboo, WI for expert insurance advice.

What Are The Risks Of Not Having Commercial Insurance

Not having commercial insurance is always a risky experience, and here is why: 

  • You leave your employees unprotected. One of the purposes of business insurance is to protect your employees in case something happens. For example, if you do not have workers’ compensation and one of your employees is injured at work, you could be liable for a lawsuit. 
  • Your business will not be protected. Anything can happen to your business and your commercial property. If it does and you do not have proper insurance, you will be left with financial consequences of interrupted business operations and repairs that you will have to pay for. 
  • You break the state’s laws. In the state of Wisconsin, for example, it is mandatory to carry workers’ compensation if you own a business. Running a business without it is illegal. Therefore, if you decide not to purchase commercial insurance, you should understand that you break the state laws. 

Get Commercial Insurance Today

Are you a business owner operating your business in Baraboo, WI, or any other nearby area? Are you currently shopping for business insurance that would protect you, your commercial property, and your employees?  Do not hesitate to contact us at Johnsen Insurance – we are an experienced insurance agency specializing in different types of insurance, including commercial insurance as well. We will help you find a perfect insurance plan and answer all of your questions. 

7 Important Terms to Know Before Getting Commercial Insurance

When it comes to commercial insurance, there’s so much to know. You would do well to research some things before you set up your policy for your business. The following are terms that would be helpful to know about commercial insurance. 

Open Perils 

This covers all losses besides ones that are specifically excluded. Earthquakes and other earth movements, as well as floods, are common perils that are excluded under this type of coverage.

Specified Perils 

Specified perils come with a list of each peril that will be insured against. This includes windstorms, vandalism, fire, and explosion, among other things. You’re able to request either broad or basic specified perils coverage. Broad adds to the list of the covered perils you see with the basic version. 

Aggregate Limit

This is the maximum dollar amount of coverage that’s in force for a liability or property damage policy. It can be determined on a per-occurrence basis, or you can apply a general aggregate for the term of the policy. 

Agreed Value 

Agreed value is a method of loss valuation by which the insurer and insured person come up with an agreed amount the insured will be paid in case of a loss.

Binder 

This short-term agreement offers you temporary coverage until your policy is issued or delivered. 

Occurrence

This liability policy covers claims that arise out of occurrences taking place during your policy period, no matter when your claim is filed. 

Written Premium 

This is the total premium between all the policies that are written by your insurer in a certain period of time, regardless of the portion that’s been earned.

Choose a reputable company from which to get your commercial insurance policy. Serving the Baraboo, WI area, Johnsen Insurance has agents who can make the process easier. 

Commercial Insurance for Startups

As a startup in Baraboo, WI, you need to make sure that you invest in great insurance that makes sense for your needs. At Johnsen Insurance, we can help you find high-quality startup insurance that will suit your needs and give you the best level of coverage necessary for your firm’s well-being.

The Insurance You’ll Need 

As a startup, you typically need the same kind of insurance that any other business may need. However, some providers may have specialty startup insurance options that may cost you less and which are more suited to your needs. Doing so will help give you policies that make sense for your firm. These often include things like:

  • Liability coverage tailored to your field 
  • Disability insurance for those in your company
  • Workers compensation and unemployment coverage 
  • Property insurance that protects you from serious problems 
  • Hacking and cybersecurity protection for modern internet issues
  • Business interruption policies to keep you solvent in hard times 
  • Critical person coverage for executives or owners in your field 
  • Business owner’s policies that cover a variety of the issues above 

When creating your insurance policy, you can choose what types of options make the most sense for you and tweak them to fit your needs. Then, work directly with your agent and ask them more about these policies and how easy they are to integrate into your financial situation. And don’t overinsure! Too many people make the mistake of buying too much insurance for their startup and excess cash.

Get Covered Today 

As you can see, it is essential to talk to us at Johnsen Insurance right away about your commercial insurance options. Whether you live in Baraboo, WI, or nearby, we can provide you with the policy options that make the most sense for your needs as a new startup in your area. 

Why You Should Prioritize Getting Commercial Insurance In 2021

Running your business without commercial insurance exposes it to risks that can lead to enormous losses. Johnsen Insurance helps you find a plan that will keep your business running smoothly beyond future uncertainties. If you are a Baraboo, WI resident, our insurance experts are ready to help you choose a plan that suits your needs.

Here are some reasons why you need to prioritize commercial insurance in 2021 and beyond.

1. The Future Is Uncertain

When most people pen down their goals, they depend on luck. Does luck cater to all the challenges and interruptions that may come later?

No, it doesn’t. Simply put, business owners are not sure they will accomplish their objectives even after putting in all the hard work and commitment. When setting your business goals, you need to have future uncertainties in view.

When you think about the various interferences you’ve had to deal with before getting your business to its current level, then you know how critical it is to plan for the indefinite future. Don’t let uncertainties kill your 2021 business dreams; let Johnsen Insurance in Baraboo, WI provide commercial insurance to cover you.

2. Peace of Mind

No matter what happens within your business, your peace of mind is vital. When you are at peace, you can focus and achieve more. It helps you to be more effective in running your business. While every business runs on risks, you don’t want to expose your investment out there to ruthless perils like theft and calamities.

You can safeguard your business from such hazards by getting commercial insurance that meets your needs. It will lift the burden of constant supervision and a series of meetings from your shoulders. Thus, you can attend to the core matters of your business at ease.

3. Natural Disasters

Cases of natural disasters keep rising every day in both the safest and pre-exposed regions. While you want to protect your business from such occurrences, sometimes it’s not within your power. That’s why Johnsen Insurance helps business owners in Baraboo, WI find the right commercial insurance for their investment. If a storm hits your building and suspends running your business, the coverage can come in handy.

With determination and diligence, you can accomplish your business goals. But who will cater to the uncertainties and natural calamities that may hinder your progress? Contact Johnsen Insurance in Baraboo, WI at 608-356-5515 to learn more about the commercial insurance plans available and how they can help your business.

What Small Business Owners Need To Know About Commercial Insurance

Owning your own business is an exhilarating experience. Few things bring the same sense of freedom and pride. You invest a lot of time and money into your business, and you want to see those investments protected. At Johnsen Insurance, serving Baraboo, NC, we love helping small business owners understand how they can best protect their investment of time and money. Keep reading to learn how commercial insurance can help protect you. 

What Is Commercial Insurance?

Commercial insurance is a general term used to refer to the different types of insurance policies business owners can use to protect their business. A business owner is at a special kind of risk by operating their business. These risks can include damage to property, equipment, loss of revenue, as well as liability for both employees and customers. Having a reliable commercial insurance package in place will help shield you as the business owner from these risks. 

What Does Commercial Insurance Cover?

Commercial insurance can be customized to provide protection to your particular business, but in general, commercial insurance covers the following areas:

  • Property Damage Coverage – If your business operates a brick and mortar location, property damage insurance is put in place to protect you if the damage that is sustained to that property or a burglary takes place at that property. 
  • Auto Coverage – If your company operates vehicles to conduct business, auto coverage will act the same as personal auto insurance to safeguard both the vehicles being used as well as the drivers operating those vehicles. 
  • Liability Coverage – Liability coverage is essential for small business owners. If an employee or a customer is injured in some way at work, on your property, or because of your products/services, liability coverage will kick in. This coverage will cover any expenses that you are held liable for as a result of the injury. 

If you would like to learn more about commercial insurance, please contact our friendly staff at Johnsen Insurance, serving Baraboo, NC today.