Specialty Insurance

There are all kinds of terms to describe the same exposure including Cyber Liability, Privacy Liability, Security & Privacy liability, Data Breach, Network Security, and Cyber Security Insurance to name a few. All of these names focus on your exposure to a data breach. A data breach can occur when personally identifiable information is compromised by hackers, a faulty transaction, malfunctioning technology, simple human error and even lost or improperly disposed data.

The effect of a data breach on your small business could be devastating. You will have to pay to notify the affected individuals as well as the potential expenses arising from credit monitoring, identity theft resolution, analysis into how the data breach occurred and any steps needed to avoid another occurrence. These costs can be heavy and time consuming to identify. Security and Privacy Liability Insurance, also known as Cyber liability protects businesses in the event of a costly data breach.

Aircraft, often called Aviation insurance, is insurance coverage geared specifically to the operation of aircraft and the risks involved in aviation. Aviation insurance policies are distinctly different from those for other areas of transportation and tend to incorporate aviation terminology, as well as terminology, limits and clauses specific to aviation insurance.

There is a very large variety of coverages available for every aspect of the aviation and aircraft business and personal needs.

Aircraft insurance provides liability and property coverage for aircraft. Aircraft insurance, also called aviation insurance, can be purchased for a number of different types of aircraft, including standard, experimental, and vintage aircraft, as well as seaplanes. Among other coverages, in this category you can also find coverages for personal single aircraft or fleet, airport liability, corporate and personal non-owned coverage, aviation-related workers compensation, and drone insurance.

Animal service organizations, including veterinaries, have unique needs when it comes to protecting their organizations from risk of loss. Animal lovers band together in groups to help animals that may otherwise have to be euthanized. Activities include locating the animal through contacts with municipal and county animal shelters, arranging to transport it from the shelter to the organization, and finding appropriate foster care. Other activities include evaluating temperament, basic training, and health care including treating heartworm, spay and neuter. The organization then matches the animal with an adopter for a fee. The fee is to pay the organization's expenses.

These organizations are often volunteer operations with limited property exposures but with significant general liability, employee dishonesty, and directors and officer's exposures. There is an automobile exposure if the organization owns autos used to transport animals. There are also non-ownership exposures when volunteers transport animals on the organization's behalf. Eligible Classes Veterinary practices primarily devoted to the care and treatment of household pets Mixed practices with large animal and equine operations Specialty veterinary hospitals, including 24 hour emergency hospitals Mobile veterinary practices Veterinary behaviorists Pet day cares and pet lodging Pet groomers Pet trainers Humane Societies, SPCA’s and other animal shelters and welfare organizations with veterinary and shelter/kennel exposures may be considered

Apartment complexes provide housing to individuals who pay rent to the building owners. Amenities vary and can include community centers, golf courses, exercise facilities, and other activities. The types of structures vary, ranging from multi-unit single story frame dwellings to high-rise, sprinklered, and fire resistive buildings. A condominium association is a legal entity made up of individual unit-owners who own their individual living spaces but who jointly share ownership and responsibility for maintenance and upkeep of common areas.

Condominiums can present unusual and sometimes complex insurance problems with respect to property, liability, crime, and workers compensation coverages for the condominium buildings and operations. Condominium association bylaws are established under enabling statutes of each state and require management of the condominium by a board of governors or directors. Board members are usually (but are not necessarily) residents of the condominium and usually are not paid. While standards of accountability to others by unpaid directors of nonprofit associations are not as stringent as they are for directors of for-profit corporations, condominium directors must still meet standards of reasonable care

Architects, engineers and design professionals are highly specialized and technical. The decisions they make on form and function build and shape the world around us. Their design decisions permeate a project, affecting cost, efficiency and even public safety. With such capability comes great responsibility - and risk.

This coverage protects individual architects, engineers, architectural firms, and engineering firms against allegations of damages due to their professional negligence. The professional qualifications of principals, details of staff organization, and types of work performed are important underwriting and rating considerations. Coverage is written on a claims-made basis and is usually subject to high deductibles.

As an engineer or architect, your everyday responsibilities involve design and ensuring that your work product will perform correctly. You create what may not have existed before, you solve problems, and you maintain elaborate tools. With so much attention focused on the details, it is easy to see why you may lose track of that one cog in your business machinery that helps it to run: insurance.

There are many reasons to have insurance, but you’ll find that most clients will make it a requirement in the job contract. Above all, it protects you and your business in the case of incidents, which can be crucial when you work independently.

Coverage for paintings, pictures, etchings, tapestries, art glass windows, antique furniture, coin collections, and stamp collections owned by individuals and businesses. These works are not covered if owned by dealers or auction firms. Protection is on an all risks basis subject to exclusions of damage from ordinary breakage, wear and tear, war, and nuclear disaster.

Each item must be specifically listed and valued in the policy. As more high-net worth individuals invest in art and antiques, there is a need for an understanding of how to protect their valuable acquisitions with the right insurance. Key considerations of buyers of these coverages, to make sure they are properly covered, are: start with the right coverage; regularly review the value of your art and antiques; document your collection.

Automobile insurance is designed to help provide financial protection from auto-related damages, loss, or injuries. It is there to protect you, your passengers, other drivers and pedestrians. In addition, it can protect against financial loss in the event of an accident to your car, as well as the property of others. It can provide financial reimbursement if your car is vandalized, damaged by fire, or stolen.

Insurance companies selling business insurance offer policies that combine protection from all major property and liability risks in one package. (They also sell coverages separately.) One package purchased by small and mid-sized businesses is the Business owners policy (BOP).

Package policies are created for businesses that generally face the same kind and degree of risk. Larger companies might purchase a commercial package policy or customize their policies to meet the special risks they face. BOPs include: 1. BOP’s can include: Property insurance for buildings and contents owned by the company -- there are two different forms, standard and special, which provides more comprehensive coverage. 2. Business interruption insurance, which covers the loss of income resulting from a fire or other catastrophe that disrupts the operation of the business. It can also include the extra expense of operating out of a temporary location. 3. Liability protection, which covers your company's legal responsibility for the harm it may cause to others.

This harm is a result of things that you and your employees do or fail to do in your business operations that may cause bodily injury or property damage due to defective products, faulty installations and errors in services provided. BOP’s do not cover professional liability, auto insurance, worker’s compensation or health and disability insurance. You'll need separate insurance policies to cover professional services, vehicles and your employees.

There is a growing number of coverages available for protection of all aspects of cannabis growing and distribution. For example, a medical marijuana dispensary must have a marijuana crop to sell. This unique crop is subject to the same hazards as any other crop in the specific area where it grows. This crop’s potential value adds a significant theft exposure. The crops’ value varies because some growers provide a generic crop while others use research and development techniques to produce disease- or symptom-specific crops.

In addition to dispensaries, a variety of other activities can be insured for marijuana-related businesses, including cultivation, manufacturing, insurance on buildings, delivery and transport, and laboratories. The most-purchased coverages are product liability and professional liability insurance.

Insurance for clubs, societies and other leisure time activities offers comprehensive protection for a wide range of organizations including sports clubs, social clubs, youth clubs, associations and hobbies and interest clubs.

Coverage provided generally includes important liability protection for the organization, including its employees and volunteers, as well as for liability claims arising out of its operations.

Covered operations consist of scheduled, sanctioned, organized and supervised activities in which members participate and that are directly related to the specific common interest or goal for which the club or group is formed. Coverage is also provided for member activities such as meetings, registrations, parades in which the insured participates, picnics, banquets and ceremonies.  A member of the club injuring themselves, an allegation of wrongdoing against a committee member or damage caused to property or equipment owned by the club could have severe consequences for your club or society.

Coverage is available for nonprofit community service agencies and organizations, such as senior citizens community centers, home visitation services, youth centers, and neighborhood centers.

Coverages provided usually include property, casualty, and professional liability coverages.  Products and underwriting services are designed to meet the specific needs of your community service organization. They often include a variety of safety and loss prevention services. Some insurers offer a dedicated claims staff that focuses solely on claims for human and social service organizations.

Typical eligible organizations include: Boys & Girls Clubs, Camps, Youth Centers, Youth Clubs, Youth Development Programs, Business & Citizenship Programs, Community Action Centers (CACs), Community Centers Crisis Centers, Outreach Programs, Professional Societies, Senior Centers, Urban Leagues, Women's Crisis Services, YMCAs/YWCAs.

Consultants set the bar for other businesses and should lead by example, regardless of their focus.  Consultants face a variety of risks purely because of the wide variety of services they offer.

The risks largely depend on the consultant’s specialty. For example, PR consultants may face risks of defamation and slander lawsuits, while human resource consultants could face risks of hiring someone who shouldn’t have been hired for obvious reasons. Any consultant can face the risks of being sued for tiny errors like those made in data entry.

There’s no way around it — any company needs professional liability insurance. Your business, future, and personal assets aren’t protected without it. It’s one of the most important business investments you’ll make, and although you may see it as an extra expense, it’s a small expense compared to what it could cost you without it.

The most-purchased coverage is professional liability insurance, sometimes called errors and omissions insurance. E&O provides protection for businesses from risks not usually covered under general commercial liability insurance, which are two different kinds of policies. Getting errors and omissions insurance as a consultant is much like doctors obtaining malpractice insurance. Like malpractice insurance, professional liability insurance should be a standard insurance product any business owner and/or consultant has.

The construction industry consists of businesses primarily engaged in constructing and maintaining buildings and other structures.

The three major types of construction are: (1) building construction, land subdivision, and land development; (2) heavy construction such as highways, power plants, and pipelines; (3) artisan construction by special trade contractors. For a contractor in any field of expertise, it is important to be aware of all the potential pitfalls that can occur on the job, and how the right insurance can protect from any unforeseen complications down the line.

Don't put all of that hard work at risk! Help protect against lawsuits with Contractor's Insurance. Building construction insurance is a type of property insurance specifically designed to cover property during the course of construction, including renovation and repair that is typically is purchased by either the property owner or contractor. It’s needed because most commercial property policies will exclude or null and void coverage if major renovations or construction to the building is above a certain threshold and not fully/properly disclosed to the incumbent property insurance company. There are additional risks and responsibilities inherent in this type of work that a typical property policy is not designed or priced to cover.

All parties that have property involved in the project should be named in the building construction insurance policy. This may include the owner, contractor, subcontractors, the financial institution funding the project and, in some cases, the architects and engineers too. So many aspects of the construction industry need protection. Your employees, your equipment, your materials and your finances are just a few areas of your business that require special coverage.

This coverage protects directors and officers of a corporation against claims that allege injury caused by their negligent acts, errors, or omissions while acting in their corporate capacities. It also indemnifies corporations for expenses they incur to defend such lawsuits.

The market for this coverage is expanding and addresses all sizes of corporations. Some companies cover discrimination, wrongful termination, and sexual harassment.  Trade, fund-raising, and research organizations, churches, fraternal organizations, and other nonprofit organizations are also eligible. Some underwriting factors to consider are stability of operations, length of time in operation, and whether the organization generates enough revenue to meet its expenses. Some companies cover employment practices liability as part of this coverage.

This insurance covers the insured employer against claims made by its current or former employees due to damages caused by negligent acts, errors, or omissions in the employer’s administration of employee benefit programs. It covers claims resulting from the giving of incorrect advice concerning an employee's health care or pension plan or for failing to enroll employees under a benefit program. It usually excludes all fiduciary responsibility. It may be written on a separate policy or be endorsed to the employer's commercial general liability policy.

Federal, state, and local regulations prohibit a number of employment-related practices. Employer’s liability insurance covers the insured if it or any of its employees are accused of any of the prohibited practices. The coverage provides a list of the federal regulations that can be cited in a claim such as age, race, gender, or disability discrimination. It also covers allegations of harassment and retaliation. The standard workers compensation policy consists of two coverages. Coverage A provides the state-mandated Workers Compensation coverage. Coverage B is Employers Liability which provides coverage for worker injury liability situations not covered by Coverage A. See our Workers Compensation category.

The energy service industries have seen significant growth in the last several years. Due to an increase in domestic energy production and more green energy initiatives, we have seen a major opportunity for agents to make energy-related insureds part of their books. These insureds range anywhere from large oil field operations to contractors focusing more on alternative energy sources.

Representative Risks: Roustabout contractors, oilfield cleanup contractors (after the drilling is done), salt water haulers, solar contractors, wind turbine contractors, geothermal contractors, alternative energy contractors (construction of biodiesel facilities), pumpers, dirt work contractors, wireline, oil field electricians, flow line and pipeline contractors, compressor rental & installation, welding & tank battery construction, and salt water hauling.

This is one of the most extensive insurance categories. Typical risks include feature films, television shows, animation, documentaries, corporate, and educational. 

An example of just one of the many coverages is Film/Movie Production Insurance.  Clients eligible for this coverage include producers of films, movies, television programs, and commercials that film either on location or in a studio. The time period for the coverage can be annual and include all operations or projects during that annual period. It may also be short term based on specific dates on the policy or have not dates but instead apply to a specific project.

Coverage includes property, general liability, automobile, umbrella liability, and workers compensation. There is also coverage available for office contents, rental equipment, props, sets, wardrobes, negative and faulty stock, and third-party damage. The coverage territory can be broadened to include countries outside the United States, provided the production company is U.S.-based. Among a host of others, coverages are available for Special Events Insurance, Festival Insurance, Trade Show Insurance, Sporting Events Insurance, Concert Insurance, and Artist Liability Insurance

Environmental insurance (also known as pollution insurance or pollution coverage) provides coverage for loss or damages resulting from unexpected releases of pollutants typically excluded in general liability and property insurance policies. The losses or damages covered by environmental insurance usually arise in the form of claims against insureds for bodily injury, property damage, cleanup costs, and business interruption.

Standard general liability and property insurance policies exclude most losses connected to pollution with very few exceptions such as from smoke from an out-of-control fire or fumes from a faulty heating or air-conditioning system. According to market experts, the increase in the frequency and severity of environmental claims is expected to continue in the years ahead. The increase in claims is primarily driven by natural catastrophes, such as floods and earthquakes. The recent large catastrophe claims have increased regulatory scrutiny on transportation, mining, energy and pipeline exposures among others, resulting in the reevaluation of the environmental risks these sectors pose.

Environmental insurance also provides coverage for risks connected to historic contamination or operational issues, such as mold, lead paint, asbestos, Legionella or poor indoor air quality. Environmental insurance policies are designed to protect mortgage lenders as well as real estate agents, managers and developers in the event the properties they handle are contaminated.

A major concern in the market is a great number of insureds are often mistakenly under the impression they are covered for pollution releases under their general liability and property policies. However, these policies either restrict or completely exclude such coverage leaving their policyholders exposed to potentially very costly risks.

Litigation regarding coverage of environmental risks is usually the result of misinterpretation of policies whose language about pollution points more to exclusion than coverage. Specialists argue that if there is not an explicit insuring agreement for losses caused by pollutants, the coverage is not true environmental insurance. Often, policyholders were not aware of their environmental loss exposures nor were they informed environmental insurance coverage options.

Horse owners ride for pleasure, show, or competition. Personal lines homeowners’ coverage provides some coverage but often not enough for serious riders. Equestrian risks liability policies are available to bridge the gap in coverage. Workers compensation coverage may also be needed to cover persons employed part-time, temporarily, or on a limited-help basis to assist in boarding, training stables, racing, or other equestrian-related activities.

Horse Insurance and Equine Insurance products are tailored to fit the needs of professionals and amateurs. Your horse is a trusted partner considered a member of your family. Your horse is also a valuable investment that you need to protect. Within their environment or as a part of their use, you know equine are susceptible to many perils. The list of products and events that can be covered by Horse Insurance and by Equine Insurance keeps growing. Here are a few of the more popular ones: Horse Show, Rodeo & Special Event Insurance, Outfitters & Guided Trails, Personal Horse Owners Liability, Polo Club Insurance, Pony Rides & Petting Zoo, Race Horse Owners Liability, Riding Club Insurance, Rodeo Event Insurance, Trainers & Riding Instructor Liability, Therapeutic Riding Program, and Veterinary & Animal Services Insurance.

Professional liability insurance, more commonly known as Errors & Omissions (E&O), it is a form of liability insurance which helps protect professional advice and service-providing individuals and companies from bearing the full cost of defending against a negligence claim made by a client, and damages awarded in such a civil lawsuit. The coverage focuses on alleged failure to perform on the part of, financial loss caused by, and error or omission in the service or product sold by the policyholder. These are causes for legal action that would not be covered by a more general liability insurance policy which addresses more direct forms of harm.

Professional liability insurance may take on different forms and names depending on the profession, especially medical and legal, and is sometimes required under contract by other businesses that are the beneficiaries of the advice or service. Coverage may provide for the defense costs, including when legal action turns out to be groundless. Coverage does not include criminal prosecution nor a wide range of potential liabilities under civil law that are not enumerated in the policy, but which may be subject to other forms of insurance. Professional liability insurance is required by law in some areas for certain kinds of professional practice.

Excess liability insurance may be written over any form of primary liability insurance such as commercial general liability, commercial automobile liability, employer’s liability, and professional liability. The additional liability limits are requested as a way for a business to protect their assets. This insurance may be written as excess over primary liability coverages or as excess over a self-insured retention or deductible. Excess liability differs from commercial umbrella coverage by not providing any more coverage than is available in the underlying coverages.

Farms and ranches have always been considered a specialty line of insurance. Dwellings, farm buildings, equipment, and livestock at one location can expose significant values to a single loss. Most farm properties are unprotected and do not have readily available water or paid fire department service. Policies written on farms and agribusinesses often combine both personal and commercial property and liability exposures. Larger farms and corporate farms are usually written as commercial lines while family farms are written as more personal lines. 

Running a farm or ranch has always involved a lot of risks. But these days, rapid changes in the industry are raising the stakes. Advanced technologies and new environmental concerns are pushing farming and ranching in new directions. Coverages are available for full-time farms, ranches and other agricultural operations. Products can cover businesses that range from fruit and vegetable farms to livestock operations. Also available is protection for dwellings, appurtenant private structures, household personal property, additional living expenses, scheduled farm personal property, irrigation, outbuildings, and more.

Financial institutions' theft and trust exposures are significant and require specialists to analyze and insure them. Banks, savings and loan associations, mortgage bankers, and other financial institutions' exposures are based on their balance sheets, services offered, contractual obligations, and regulatory compliance. The exposures must be analyzed thoroughly to determine the exposures that must be insured and the ones that can be minimized or self-insured.  By using deductibles, large cash and securities exposures can be covered more efficiently and proper attention paid to the truly catastrophic exposures.

Some of the more important specialized coverages include financial institution bonds, errors and omissions coverage for trust department operations, lenders' single interest coverage on auto and vehicle loans, mortgage errors and omissions, and financial consultants' errors and omissions coverages. Directors and officers liability coverage must also be considered. These markets provide comprehensive programs on this class of business. Financial institutions are under intense scrutiny from shareholders, regulators, creditors and employees, among others.

There is a broad-ranged, flexible variety of specialized insurance policies providing many options in reducing exposure to financial loss.

Amid the great political debate between pro and anti-gun arguers, the insurance companies continue to meet the consistent needs of U.S. gun advocates. Comprehensive insurance programs are available for firearms wholesalers, dealers, trap and skeet fields, sporting clays, clubs, reloaders, instructors, firearms manufacturers and importers distributors, retailers, gunsmiths, ammunition manufacturers, and indoor and outdoor shooting ranges. They are treated as specialty business because of the hazards that firearms and live ammunition present. Commercial general liability, products liability, and broad form vendors' coverages are important because many state and federal regulations require them. Property coverage on firearms and ammunition may also be available. Deductibles usually apply to premises hazards.

Flooding is defined by the National Flood Insurance Program as a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area or two or more properties (at least one of which is your property) from: Overflow of inland waters, unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff.

Flood insurance policies cover physical damage to your property and possessions from floods or flood-related losses due to rising water in high risk areas. The federal government runs the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which can issue flood insurance policies. Even if you have, renters, condo, landlord, mobile home or business insurance, you may need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy to have protection from flood damage. Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover damage caused by flooding. This is important to check when getting flood insurance quotes. If your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), you can buy flood insurance coverage through agents enrolled in the NFIP-Direct program.

The difference between a vehicle’s depreciated value and the amount still owed on a lease or loan can be significant, especially at the beginning of a long-term agreement. GAP insurance pays that difference between these two amounts so that the loan or lease can be paid in full if the car is damaged or stolen.

In most states, even the borrower's insurance deductible is covered up to $1,000. GAP Program benefits the lender by reducing credit and loan losses, providing valuable service to borrowers, providing fee income opportunities, increasing borrower satisfaction, providing easy administration and claim filing processes, and providing optional internet-based training.

Whether a town, a special district, or a school system, public entities are committed to serving their community and keeping it safe. From cities and counties to utilities and transit authorities, public entities are exposed to many types of risks. Sensitive, personally identifiable information can be vulnerable to cyber-attack. Distracted driving and accident risks increase with the amount of electronics being installed in law enforcement vehicles. Aging infrastructures also pose constant transportation challenges.

Public entities face unique challenges including increased litigation, aging infrastructure, and elevated scrutiny of police actions, and offer the coverages and services to help protect your people, property, and reputation.

This business can be different from other commercial entities. Public entities may be subject to statutory competitive bidding requirements, they may be approached by so-called public insurance pools, and they enjoy some immunity from lawsuits.

Some insurers have dedicated underwriters focused exclusively on the public sector, including counties, municipalities, and educational institutions. They tailor insurance programs to address specific coverage needs. They often offer experienced risk control professionals to help protect from workplace hazards and natural disasters. Customized insurance programs that meet the unique risk management needs of public entities is normally a major benefit provided by these insurers.

Various federal agencies have developed regulations regarding the transportation and disposal of hazardous materials, including the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The precise definition of hazardous materials varies depending on the regulatory agency. Truckers, contractors, and other entities must adhere to specific regulations regarding their use, transportation, and disposal of hazardous materials.

Hazardous materials insurance is a necessary provision for trucks that haul dangerous cargo and is usually required by law in various amounts depending on the cargo. When selecting the ideal commercial trucking insurance, it is important to understand the regulations and legislation regarding particular cargo. In order to transport common dry goods, which are safe and don’t risk spoilage, combustion or toxicity, general freight insurance is usually ideal coverage. But some potentially dangerous freight, termed “hazardous materials,” has additional restrictions on how it can be transported, as well as the type of policy used to insure it. 

1. Hospice liability Insurance – Medical malpractice liability coverage is available to your contracted, volunteer or employed physicians. Coverage is provided for their administrative and/or clinical duties on behalf of your organization.

2. Home Healthcare Coverages Medical malpractice liability coverage is available to your contracted, volunteer or employed physicians. Coverage is provided for their administrative and/or clinical duties on behalf of your organization.

3. Senior Living Facilities Specialized insurance for not-for-profit senior living facilities includes skilled care facilities/nursing homes, preferred for-profit and not-for-profit assisted living facilities, for-profit and not-for-profit independent living facilities, not-for-profit personal care homes and for-profit and not-for-profit continuing care retirement communities (CCRC).

4. Workers' Compensation Workers’ Compensation insurance covers employee’s when injured at work, including medical expenses, lost time, disability and death benefits.  Coverage may not be available in all states.

Healthcare and medical professionals face unique risks for many reasons including the limited mobility of some of their patients and the sensitive patient information, medical business office or loss of business records and patient files. Most medical or healthcare practices have a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP). Why? Because it helps protect their medical business or healthcare facility in much the same way a homeowner’s insurance policy helps protect their home and personal possessions.

By combining three basic insurance coverages that are important to almost all small businesses, including medical offices and healthcare practices, a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) can help medical and healthcare professionals save money on insurance rates while protecting what they’ve worked so hard to build.

1. General Liability – helps protect medical and healthcare business from certain lawsuits alleging injuries or property damage that occurred as the result of business operations.

2. Commercial Property – helps protect the place where business is practiced and the tools uses to conduct y medical and healthcare practice, such as computers, therapy tools, and medical equipment.

3. Business Income – helps cover the loss of income when patients can’t be treated because of covered property damage.

The standard markets usually insure hotels. However, some are much more difficult to place because of high property values and/or difficult liability exposures. Some hotels located in coastal areas are subject to heavy windstorms and hurricanes. Casino operations at some hotels introduce unique and unusual crime and liability exposures, while restaurants and bars present liquor liability exposures. Swimming pools, lakes, skating rinks, skiing, and other leisure activities for guests are examples of difficult liability exposures. Some hotels arrange trips for guests and programs for conventioneers.

Property coverage is the foundational of the hotel insurance package. This protection extends well beyond the building and its contents. Hotel Business Insurance Provides Liability Coverage. General liability: This will protect your business from injuries or property damage sustained by guests while on your hotel's property. Workers compensation: If an employee is injured on the job, your business is required to cover any ensuing medical expenses.

The three major considerations that should always be considered are pollution exclusions, lender requirements and statements of value.

Every year, thousands of people are kidnapped for ransom all over the world. This insurance offers protection – and peace of mind.

Kidnap & Ransom insurance policies provide coverage typically for monies paid to kidnappers or extortionists, loss of ransom in transit, and other expenses incurred as a result of a kidnapping. These threats are very real and can happen to any business or individual.

Liquor liability insurance is meant for liquor stores, establishments serving alcohol on a regular basis such as bars, clubs, taverns or restaurants, and manufacturers of alcohol. Liquor liability insurance can help pay for alcohol-related lawsuits against business owners. Liquor liability insurance can be purchased as a standalone policy or bundled with a general liability insurance policy.

If a business is sued over the actions of a customer who over-consumed, liquor liability insurance can pay for the business's legal expenses, such as attorney bills for defending against the lawsuit, damages if the business is found liable in court, and settlements if the business owner decides to settle the lawsuit out of court.

Some policies may also include coverage for bartenders who drink on the job, assault and battery if a fight breaks out between customers, or a customer and a bouncer and specific incidents such as sexual assault, stabbings, shootings, etc.

Commercial property insurance for small businesses is designed to protect both the building you operate your business out of and the contents inside, including your equipment. This type of insurance coverage can protect items in your building, including inventory, furniture, and tools.

The level of cover you need will depend on your business, and what kind of tools you're insuring. In a nutshell, tools insurance can cover your hand-tools, power-tools and equipment against loss, damage or theft.

A typical coverage is a Commercial contractor’s equipment insurance. It is a broad-ranging policy designed to cover damaged or missing contracting equipment. A contractor’s insurance policy can extend beyond simply covering equipment; it can also cover small tools, employees’ equipment and clothing, and borrowed equipment.

In the event of a covered loss, contractors equipment coverage can even help pay for the removal of debris and cleanup after an accident. Contractors insurance also helps cover losses due to theft and can help pay the costs to expedite a project that is off schedule as the result of a covered loss.

A contractor’s equipment insurance policy covers tools and equipment under its replacement cost coverage benefit. Scheduled equipment that is less than five years old at the time of loss is covered on a replacement cost basis with the option to purchase additional replacement cost valuation options. Tools and equipment that are purchased after a contractor’s equipment insurance policy takes effect will automatically be covered for a period of time. This way the newly purchased equipment is covered while the commercial contractor has time to update their policy. Employee tools and clothing are also covered under contractors equipment insurance policy.

Due to their unique construction and vulnerability to certain weather, such as windstorms, mobile homes typically don’t qualify for traditional homeowners insurance. Instead, you need to look into separate mobile home insurance.

Both mobile (also called manufactured) and modular homes are built in a factory rather than on a construction site. Mobile homes rest on a movable chassis and never include more than a single level. Modular homes can have multiple stories and sit on a foundation similar to traditional houses.

A standard mobile home insurance policy typically includes the following coverage types: physical damage, personal property, and liability.

Manufacturers insurance protects your business against a wide variety of mishaps. It can protect against things like damage to your property or equipment, injuries or illnesses suffered by customers and employees, and many more situations resulting from your business operations or products.

Most fabricating and manufacturing businesses have a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP). Why? Because it protects your manufacturing business in much the same way a homeowner’s policy protects your home and personal possessions.  For example, if a customer is injured by one of your machines in the manufacturing process at your workplace or an employee causes damage to a customer's property, this insurance will help cover the legal fees.

By combining three fundamental coverages that are essential to nearly every small business, a Business Owner’s Policy can save you money on insurance rates while safeguarding the manufacturing business you worked so hard to build.

1) General Liability – helps protect you manufacturing business from certain lawsuits alleging injuries or property damage that occurred as the result of your manufacturing business operations.

2) Commercial Property – helps protect the place where you do business and the tools you use to conduct your manufacturing business, like plastics injectors or molds – whether you own or lease them.

3) Business Income – helps cover the loss of income when you can’t run your manufacturing business because of covered property damage.

Watercraft insurance is an insurance policy that provides coverage for boats and personal watercraft. Watercraft insurance, also known as boat and personal watercraft insurance, often includes towing and wreckage removal, as well as fuel spill indemnification. This type of insurance may be purchased for sailboats, house boats, and pontoon boats, as well as other watercraft up to a certain size and value.

Marine insurance covers the loss or damage of ships, cargo, terminals, and any transport by which the property is transferred, acquired, or held between the points of origin and the final destination.

Available insurance products include personal Mexican insurance products for automobiles, boats, homes and family protection for American and other foreign residents who need Mexico insurance coverage; as well as comprehensive business and commercial Mexican insurance solutions for the property, liability and automobile risks of American entities operating in Mexico and other foreign countries.

Commercial and personal lines automobile policies do not cover any Mexican exposures. Therefore, tourists and workers who drive, fly, or cruise into Mexico must purchase automobile insurance from Mexican insurers if they plan on driving an owned or non-owned vehicle in Mexico. In addition to independent agencies in the U.S., Mexican insurance can often be purchased in border towns in California, Texas, Arizona and New Mexico from legally authorized agents of licensed Mexican insurance companies. Policies are written for the length of time to be spent in Mexico and provide liability, physical damage, and medical expense coverages. This coverage is being written to an increasing extent on commercial businesses operated by American corporations and on trucking risks that carry cargo between the United States and Mexican cities.

Available insurance products include personal Mexican insurance products for automobiles, boats, homes and family protection for American and other foreign residents who need Mexico insurance coverage; as well as comprehensive business and commercial Mexican insurance solutions for the property, liability and automobile risks of American entities operating in Mexico and other foreign countries.

Motorcycle policy Insurance is usually available for all types of motorcycles including Harley-Davidson, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki and other popular brands as well as mopeds and scooters.

These policies cover the liability of the owner-operator of such vehicles for bodily injury or property damage to third parties. Most major insurers that specialize in writing insurance on motorcycles have added physical damage coverage for fire-theft-comprehensive and collision, either with liability coverage or separately in some cases. Rates for liability coverage are usually based on cubic centimeters of engine displacement.

Uninsured motorists coverage must be added to the liability policy unless the insured rejects it. In addition, some companies offer medical payments and passenger liability coverages as options. Vandalism, theft, and windstorm are especially difficult exposures from the physical damage standpoint.

Insurance on motorcycle dealers is usually written on modified auto dealers liability forms specifically adapted to motorcycle dealers. One coverage includes premises liability for sales operations in connection with service and repair of customers' motorcycles and motor scooters.

Many motorcycle purchasers want a unique product. As a result many businesses cater to those clients who want custom paint schemes, special detailing, and even frame and engine modifications. Custom motorcycle designers, manufacturers, fabricators, service and repair shops, and parts dealers are some of the classes of business.

Mining risks have always been considered a specialty class of business because of the liability and workers compensation exposures and hazards as well as physical damage to elaborate and expensive equipment used to mine coal or metal ores. Workers compensation for any mining operation is extremely hazardous because the workers are exposed to occupational diseases such as black lung in addition to the potential for cave-ins and underground explosions. Large and high-valued special-purpose mining equipment requires special named perils or ""all risk"" inland marine coverage forms to insure against both above ground and below ground physical damage losses.

Forestry is one of America’s original industries. Typical kinds of businesses covered are logging contractors, sawmill operators, foresters, timberland owners and hunt club participants. Coverages are available on forestry equipment insurance as well as timber bonds, general liability, property, business automobile, and worker's compensation insurance.

Fishing contests, tournaments, and tagged fish derbies are as popular with fishing enthusiasts as hole-in-one tournaments are with golfers. Both are offered as prize indemnification programs for the event's sponsors or for the parties that provide the prizes. Coverage can be customized in an event format based on each individual tournament's needs and requirements. Prize promotions can fit all categories of tournaments, from children's fishing rodeos to bass or walleye tournaments to offshore sports fishing events.

Oil and gas drilling contractors face unique and dangerous risks every day. Oil & Gas Programs provide comprehensive insurance solutions for upstream & land-based oil and gas operators, non-operators, and service contractors. Other target classes include roustabout, welding, wire line, pipeline, rental contractors, new and used equipment sales, perforating, instrument logging, electricians, ancillary oil field services, crude oil haulers, geophysical, engineering and consulting, instrument logging or survey work, manufacturer/distributor of oil field equipment and transporters of frack, sand or fluid, equipment, pipe, and rigs.

The most common insurance coverages include Property. Inland marine, Excess liability, General liability, Pollution, Down-hole tools, Underground resources and equipment, Workers Compensation and Broad-form property damage with care, custody and control.

National and state parks provide individuals and families a variety of opportunities for outdoor camping and recreation. Outdoors enthusiasts fill privately owned camping grounds and hunting and fishing preserves each weekend as well as during the week. Insurance packages are available that cover liability exposures such as saddle animals, horseback trail rides, archery club shooting ranges, hunting and fishing clubs, recreational trails, resort hotels and motels, dude ranches, winter recreational activities and canoe, kayak, river rafting, and whitewater rafting.

Auto liability coverage is available for buses and vans that transport guests to canoe and river rafting sites and for cross-country trips. Some programs also cover buildings and equipment owned by hunting and fishing lodges, hotels, and motels. General liability insurance is available for clubs and members that lease land from others for hunting and fishing.

Coverage is also available for land owners who rent out their land for hunting.

If you have a parking lot, you’ve got a fair amount of risk. While no one wants to consider the worst-case scenario or think about how a disaster could befall them, it’s important to understand the risks you face as the owner or operator of a parking lot or garage so that you can get the insurance coverage you need to protect yourself from risk.

Liability coverages on independent parking garages and lots can be difficult to place, especially those located in the downtown areas of larger cities. Commercial general liability and garagekeepers legal liability coverages are available for parking facilities. Rates are based on the number of parking spaces. Coverage may be available for valet parking offered by nightclubs, restaurants, and hotels.

General Liability protects your parking lot and garage from common claims that involve property damage, third-party physical injury and advertising mistakes. It will also cover out-of-court settlements, litigation, court fees and other fees that are within the coverage of the insurance policy.

When you hand your keys over to a valet attendant, you trust that your car will be returned to you undamaged. However, accidents can happen especially when multiple drivers are operating unfamiliar vehicles and trying to do their job in a timely manner. Scrapes, dings or greater damage to vehicles and injuries to drivers threaten the success of any valet service company Most valet companies carry insurance that will cover damage to a vehicle in their custody. .Liability coverage will cover injury to people or damage to property the valet doesn't own.

Product liability insurance protects against claims of personal injury or property damage caused by products sold or supplied through your business. It is designed to help protect your business by ensuring that if this happens, you don't have to pay any legal or court costs.

Product liability insurance isn't merely a product guarantee or warranty. It protects businesses from the fallout that occurs in the event that a product causes injury or other damage to third parties. ...Product liability insurance can help protect you in the event that your business faces a lawsuit.

Certain types of manufactured products have particularly hazardous products liability exposures. Drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, and ladders are some examples. Many domestic insurance companies write insurance on these classes of business on only a very limited basis. In addition, very few standard markets are interested in insuring certain types of new products, particularly drugs. Specialized markets are available to write this coverage that involves providing a complete description of the product along with complete chemical and/or engineering reports. Businesses engaged in manufacturing and installing solar-heating equipment and burglar and fire alarm equipment have a very real need for this coverage.

There are many different types of railroad exposures, including short line, regional, light transit, national, and others.

Federal Employers Liability Act (F.E.L.A.) coverage is needed to cover work-related injuries to all railroad employees in addition to commercial general liability, and cargo legal liability coverage. Foreign rolling stock coverage is also needed to insure the railroad's legal liability for damage to non-owned rolling stock while in its care, custody, or control.

Railroad Protective Liability coverage is similar to Owners and Contractors Protective Liability coverage written under commercial general liability coverage forms. It covers the insured contractor engaged in construction that must cross or that is adjacent to railroad property.

Railroad companies usually require contractors to execute very broad hold-harmless agreements before permitting work to begin. Coverage is written in the name of the railroad as named insured and is purchased by the contractor. It covers bodily injury and property damage liability and physical damage to railroad property.

Religious organizations are centers for community gathering, celebration, and solace. They may offer counseling, run outreach programs, provide education, and help their worshippers in countless other ways. While this engagement makes churches and other religious organizations invaluable to the people they serve, it also exposes them to liabilities that other nonprofit organizations don’t face. Eligible organizations typically include Bible Schools, Church Organizations, Churches, Clergy, Convents, Missions and Monasteries.

Religious organizations can often benefit from carrying a number of business insurance policies, including property coverage, (like fine art and religious articles to liability insurance that covers clergy and staff,) The usual full range of coverages includes Employment Practices Liability (EPLI), Directors & Officers (D&O), Accident Death & Dismemberment, Sexual Molestation & Abuse.

Restaurants

Hot surfaces. Sharp knives. Food borne illnesses. Patrons coming and going on a daily basis. Restaurant owners face a multitude of risks that are specific to your industry. And that’s in addition to the typical concerns most small businesses must prepare for like property damage to your premises or loss of important customer, vendor, or employee files and records.

Most restaurants have a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP). Why? Because a BOP can help protect your restaurant business in much the same way a homeowner’s insurance policy protects your home and personal belongings. By combining three basic insurance coverages that are important to almost every small business, including restaurants, a Business Owner’s Policy can help cut the cost of your insurance rates while helping protect the restaurant business you’ve worked so hard to create.

Bars and Taverns

Property and liability insurance coverage on bars or taverns is difficult to place because of hazards, loss history, and clientele. Bars may be located in urban high crime areas or in isolated rural areas both of which makes them theft targets because of the appeal of their liquor inventory and the day's receipts. Liability hazards are the traditional premises slips and falls on premises and in parking lots that are aggravated by liquor-impaired judgment. Many bars offer activities such as dancing, live entertainment, games, and contests that can significantly increase their exposure to loss. All bars have vicarious liquor liability exposures but the degree of the exposure depends on laws in the particular state.

Other frequent causes of fires are defective electrical wiring, electrical appliances, and poor housekeeping. Installing automatic fire extinguishing systems reduces fire loss potential from ignition of grease during cooking operations. Liability exposures are considered less significant than the property exposures unless the restaurant serves alcohol. These risks are usually written subject to rigid inspections and the insured’s cooperation to eliminate hazards.

The retail industry faces many challenges. From theft of receipts, to robberies of stores, to fraudulent business processing, your business needs specialized protection. In addition to this coverage, you also need to protect your physical plants and your employees.

Retail insurance refers to the various types of insurance retail businesses need to purchase in order to be protected from liability in their day-to-day operations. Most small business retailers need, at a minimum, general liability and commercial property insurance, and can expect to pay at least $1,000 – $2,000 per year in combined premiums

1. Common coverages for retail operations include Commercial General Liability. Commercial Property Insurance, Workers Compensation;

2. Commercial Vehicle Insurance, Inland Marine Insurance, Business Interruption, and Cyber Liability Insurance.

A school’s primary function is to educate children. That sounds easy enough, but in practice, it requires a complexity of operations few organizations can match. Schools prepare and serve food, maintain play equipment and athletic facilities, welcome the public to sporting events and shows, provide basic mental and physical health care. And they do all this while caring for children and teenagers. Along with this complexity comes greater safety hazards that can hinder students’ ability to focus and your staff’s ability to provide a high quality educational experience.

It’s important to get a handle on those hazards to create a safe learning and working environment. Educational institutions have very specific needs that only customized coverage forms and programs can meet. Such programs offer commercial property, general liability, crime, inland marine, equipment breakdown, electronic data processing equipment, fine arts, abuse and molestation, corporal punishment, employee benefits liability, automobile, umbrella liability, workers compensation, educator’s legal liability, and employment-related practices liability.

Liability coverage for security patrol and detective agencies is available from primarily excess and surplus lines markets and specialty coverage programs. Underwriters pay close attention to employee training, use of firearms, the exact type or nature of patrol work performed, use of guard dogs, and previous losses. Premium is based on payroll and coverage is subject to a deductible. Some underwriters and programs include professional liability coverage and personal injury liability coverage. Risks normally covered are: armed & unarmed security guards, industrial, institutional, mid-high income housing, banks, office buildings, patrol work and construction sites, includes county, state & government facility contracts.

Coverages include General Liability/Professional Liability, Workers' Compensation, Auto, Inland Marine, Crime, Umbrella and Property.

Shopping centers may qualify as a specialty insurance risk if the property limits are extremely high. High concentrations of building and contents values, extremely large undivided floor areas, windowless buildings, exposures from hazardous occupancies, and exterior exposures are some property-related considerations that must be weighed and evaluated. Shopping malls may include supermarkets, restaurants, bowling centers, and motion picture theaters that must be underwritten carefully. Public liability exposures related to crowd control inside the building and parking lot incidents outside the building are significant.

A strip shopping center may have only one tenant or may have multiple tenants, but all tenants areas are entered from the parking lot or sidewalk. There is no common interior area that is the shopping center owner’s responsibility. Some strip shopping center owners own multiple centers, which usually makes the overall property schedule more attractive due to the spread of risk. Parking lot exposures and vacancy are the two most difficult issues to address.

Events, both small and large, can take many unexpected turns. Risk exposure for clients include interruptions, problematic weather, and liability. This Category of specialty insurance coverage includes four important policies: Special Event Liability, Event Cancellation, Weather Insurance, and Prize Indemnity. Whether you're planning a wedding, a hole-in-one grand prize at a tournament, or a music festival for thousands, this is coverage you'll want to understand.

Sports and recreation activities, including athletic events, athletes themselves and sports organizers all face unique exposures and risks. Sadler Sports and Recreation Company, a well-known provider and trusted resource in the sports and recreation insurance market, shares helpful information that can make a difference to those involved with sports and recreation programs, personnel and facilities.

Bonds provide a guarantee to people that the person or businesses that is bonded is trustworthy and will do what has been promised. There are two main groups of bonds: fidelity bonds, and surety bonds. Fidelity bonds are held by people who want to provide proof they can be trusted to work inside homes, and in other situations requiring a high degree of trust. Surety bonds provide assurance that the bonded person will complete work that has been promised. Typical kinds of bonds: Commercial Surety, Contract Surety Bonds. Fidelity Bonds Bid, Payment and Performance Bonds, Commercial Crime Policy Indemnity Bonds, Performance Bonds, Fiduciary Bonds, Churches. This class of business is usually not difficult to place and is underwritten by many standard insurers. However, certain markets specialize in providing coverage for churches. Values subject to a total loss may be high.

Certain types of surety bonds that do not easily fall into natural and well-defined classifications are considered more difficult to place than normal bond classes. These are classified as miscellaneous bonds and collateral is required when they are written. Because of the frequency of use and the amount of premium volume, lost instrument or lost securities bonds are the most familiar of the class. Other types of miscellaneous bonds given special treatment by surety markets are income tax bonds, which are given to guarantee payment of federal income taxes due; subdivision bonds that guarantee that certain property improvements, such as streets, sidewalks, and sewers, will be constructed by a subdivision developer; bonds that guarantee the performance or long life of a certain product or service such as long-term guarantees of roofs and roofing materials; patent infringement bonds; blue-sky bonds; self-insurance bonds; and numerous other "once-in-a-lifetime" specialty bonds that require individual underwriting judgment.

Technology companies and startups are a unique type of business with very specific insurance requirements. In addition to the standard types of coverage like general liability insurance or property insurance, the operational risks that tech companies face trigger insurance needs that are solved by more nuanced lines of coverage like technology errors and omissions insurance and cyber liability insurance.

Technology drives the systems, equipment and operations of virtually all businesses. What’s more, evolving technology is creating different, costly and complicated new risks for business owners. Complex issues surround organizations that produce, sell, or utilize advanced technology. For clients who use or sell technologically advanced products or services, there are basic components that constitute adequate coverage

Technology Errors and Omissions coverage is designed to cover providers of technology services or products. For example, data storage companies and website designers provide technology services, while computer software and computer manufacturers offer technology products. Tech E&O policies cover both liability and property loss exposures.

Technology Professional Liability insurance or IT Liability insurance protects all types of technology professionals if a client alleges that you were professionally negligent or failed to perform duties as promised in your contract.

Travel insurances are packages of insurance coverages and travel assistance services which provide comprehensive travel protection for you and your family before and during your trip.  Very few domestic insurance plans cover supervised emergency medical evacuation, repatriation of remains or emergency reunion. Travel insurance is insurance that is intended to cover medical expenses, trip cancellation, lost luggage, flight accident and other losses incurred while traveling, either internationally or domestically.

Travel insurance can usually be arranged at the time of the booking of a trip to cover exactly the duration of that trip, or a "multi-trip" policy can cover an unlimited number of trips within a set time frame. Some policies offer lower and higher medical-expense options; the higher ones are chiefly for countries that have high medical costs, such as the United States.  There are many travel insurance policies available in the market place, but care must be taken of what events are covered by each policy, and what exclusions, exceptions and limits apply, besides other issues.

There are four different types of travel insurance:

Trip Cancellation Insurance covers the cost of the trip if either party has to cancel; 

Baggage Insurance 

Emergency Medical Assistance

Accidental Death Insurance

Whether you are an entrepreneur with one commercial truck or your company uses a fleet of trucks, you need commercial truck insurance tailored to your business and your risks. Perhaps you have drivers who make deliveries, or you have trained and certified commercial truck drivers who drive tractor trailers and deliver freight cross-country. No two businesses are alike in their use of vehicles, their specific risks and the amount and type of coverage needed.

Auto liability and physical damage coverages are available through insurers that specialize in the trucking business. Truckers transport freight for others over the road in tractor-trailer units or trucks that can carry heavy loads. Coverage on bobtail operations and trailer interchange agreements can also be arranged. Motor truck cargo is another important coverage.

Coverages for your trucking business can include:

Commercial auto liability: If your business includes employees or customers driving a vehicle, you likely need commercial auto liability coverage.

Physical damage insurance: Weather, animals, other drivers—all things that can damage your vehicle.

Motor truck cargo: Protection for your business against losses due to cargo destruction, theft, and more.

Non-trucking liability insurance: Do you drive your truck for non-work purposes? As an owner-operator, protect your livelihood when you’re driving for non-business purposes.

General liability insurance: Protection against liability claims for your business.

Coverage options include product liability, cyber liability, and errors and omissions. Data breaches. Help protect your company with cyber liability insurance.

A lot of people and businesses depend on wholesalers – from industrial manufacturers and commercial distributors to shop owners.

Business insurance can help your operations run smoothly. It offers financial protection that can help you quickly recover from common wholesaler liability issues, such as third-party injuries, faulty products, damaged or stolen inventory, injured employees.

The most common coverages for wholesalers include general liability insurance, product liability, Businessowners policies, worker’s compensation, equipment liability, business interruption, and commercial auto. If your employees use their own vehicles to make deliveries, Hired and Non-Owned Auto Insurance may be a smart investment. This policy can address accidents that happen in an employee's vehicle during work trips.