Being an independent professional means you are responsible for ensuring your business’s legal and financial well-being. Remember that you are your company—if any legal or financial problems arise that affect your company, they will also affect you directly. It’s important to protect your business against the risk of liability losses not just because many clients will require you to have this insurance but also to protect yourself and your future security.
The types of insurance that are right for your business will vary greatly and depend on your industry, the size of your business, and the type of clients you work with, among other factors. Here are three common types of business insurance that many independent contractors carry.
3 Types of Business Insurance
1. General Liability insurance
General liability insurance is often necessary for independents. This insurance covers a wide range of incidents, including accidental damage to a client’s property, claims of libel or slander, and the cost of defending lawsuits.
2. Errors and Omissions insurance
Errors and omissions insurance, also known as professional liability insurance, provides protection in the instance that a client incurs financial harm due to an error or omission—that is, a failure on your behalf to perform an integral part of your responsibility on a project.
3. Home-based business insurance
While an insurance policy for a home-based business doesn’t apply to everyone, it’s relevant for independents who choose to work out of a home office. Most homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover losses sustained out of a home office, but an insurance policy for a home-based business can provide the protection you and your clients need.
Why Consultants Need Insurance
Some independents forgo insurance in order to cut costs. However, the cost of resolving even a moderate issue, such as a contract dispute, without insurance can be far more expensive than the cost of premiums. These costs can sometimes be enough to put companies out of business entirely. Protecting yourself with business insurance is not just the smart thing to do; some states may require you to have certain types of business insurance to conduct work.
Many of your future clients will also require specific insurance coverage, even for very small-scale projects. By engaging you as an independent contractor and putting their project in your hands, clients are placing a large amount of trust in you. No matter how careful you are, mistakes do happen and it is important to guard against them by mitigating risk as much as possible.
Levels of Coverage
The amount of insurance you need will depend on many factors, including the type of clients you work with and your industry. However, most clients expect a minimum of $1,000,000 in general liability insurance and another $1,000,000 in errors and omissions coverage. These are good numbers to keep in mind as a starting point. Umbrella policies, which cover costs above and beyond general liability coverage, are also recommended.
How Much Does Business Insurance Cost?
Similar to coverage levels, the exact cost of business insurance will vary depending on your business’s income and industry. You may consider looking into a business owner’s policy (BOP). This option combines several different policies into one package, often at a cost significantly less than purchasing the policies separately. As a general rule, it is a good idea to look into a number of quotes to ensure you get the best value possible.
Many independent contractors also partner with a company such as MBO Partners, which has extensive experience supporting independents in operating and managing their businesses. As part of our service packages, MBO provides a number of business insurance options so you can forgo the need to purchase expensive individual insurance.
