Business Owner’s Policy
Business Owner’s Package or BOP
What is a Business Owners Policy?
A Business Owners Policy is the most common insurance policy for small businesses. Also referred to as a “BOP” or a “Business Owners Package”, a Business Owners Policy is an insurance package that bundles coverage for the most basic types of insurance needed by a small business in one single policy including property, contents and liability coverage. The cost of a Business Owners Policy to a small business is less then the total cost of each of these insurance coverages (property, contents and liability insurance) bought separately.
An “All in One” Business Owner’s Policy
Another factor that makes Business Owners Policies more affordable is that they are created for businesses that generally face the same kind and degree of risk such as small retail stores or offices. If you own a small business such as a retail store or conduct your business from an office in Metairie, the Northshore or anywhere in the New Orleans area, Alliance Insurance Agency can help you save money on insurance coverage for your business with a comprehensive “all in one” Business Owners Policy.
What does a Business Owners Policy (BOP) Cover?
The most basic coverages included in a Business Owners Policy are property and liability insurance coverage. Business interruption insurance is also usually contained in a Business Owners Policy and additional coverages can be bundled with the BOP.
Property Insurance
Property insurance protects buildings and contents owned by your business from loss or damage including inventory, computers and even office furnishings. If needed, the level of property insurance coverage under a Business Owners Policy can be enhanced to provide more comprehensive coverage of your business’s property and physical assets. For example, outdoor signs are not generally covered under a Business Owners Policy but can be added for an additional premium.
Liability Insurance
Liability insurance protects your business in the event of claims of bodily injury to third parties or property damage to someone else’s property. The claim may be as a result of the actions of you or your employees. Coverage includes faulty installations and errors in service provided by your business that result in bodily injury to a customer or third party or damage to someone else’s property. (Work related bodily injury to an employee is covered under Workers Compensation Insurance)
Business Interruption Insurance
Business Owners Policies also usually contain business interruption insurance also known as business income insurance. Business interruption insurance provides reimbursement for up to a year of lost revenue resulting from an insured property loss such as from fire, hurricanes or other disasters. Business interruption insurance can also include the extra expense of operating out of a temporary location.
If your business relies on electronic commerce such as online sales for a significant part of your business’s income, speak with a Commercial Insurance Specialist from Alliance Insurance about special coverage for losses due to computer issues such as attacks by viruses or hackers.
Additional Coverages
Depending on the specific needs of your business and the risks your business might face, Alliance Insurance Agency can work with you to add additional coverages to the original Business Owners Policy package. Alliance Insurance Agency can also provide your New Orleans area business with any of these coverages separately!
What kinds of Businesses are Eligible for a Business Owners Policy (BOP)?
Only small to medium-sized businesses that meet certain criteria are eligible for a Business Owners Policy. Examples of small businesses that are good candidates for coverage with a Business Owners Policy are boutiques, antique shops, coffee shops, book stores, shoe stores, toy stores, hardware stores, specialty shops from souvenir shops to taxidermy shops, law offices and other professional services plus many more types of small retail businesses too numerous to list!
Factors that must be considered when determining if your small business qualifies for a Business Owners Policy include: the type of business, the size of the premises, business location, building construction, fire hazards, security features, financial stability, required liability limits, the type of business and the extent of offsite activity.
Call a Business Insurance Specialist at Alliance Insurance Agency to see if your business is eligible to save money with a comprehensive “all in one” Business Owners Policy!
The information presented on this website is for general reference purposes only and does not override or serve as an addendum to any insurance policy or contract. Always consult your insurance policy or your Alliance Insurance Agency Services, Inc representative for accurate information regarding your policy and coverage.
