Business Insurance

What is Business insurance?

A business takes years to build – but an accident or disaster could destroy it all in minutes. That’s why businesses should help protect themselves with a quality insurance business pack.

With the right cover in place, owners can run their business with confidence, knowing that their premises, stock, equipment and reputation are protected by insurance.

Who should consider it?

Business owners can benefit from taking out an affordable but comprehensive business insurance pack to help protect them against the main risks involved in running a business.

“Having the right insurance will help protect your business and minimise its exposure to risk. This may include insuring your business, your income and your commercial risk.”

Department of Innovation, Industry and Science 2018

Did you know?

$33B

The cost of natural disaster to Australia businesses, government and communities is estimated to each $33 billion by 2050.

(Australian Business Round-table, The economic Cost of the Social Impact of Natural Disaster, 2016)

35%

According to Inside Small Business, only 16% of SMEs have a financial back-up plan in place, while 35% said they'd need to cut spending and limit their lifestyle if they were unable to work

(Inside Small Business, 'Seven insurance issues small-business owners should consider in 2017', 2017)

24%

Sole traders were the least likely of businesses to be insured, (24%), followed by small businesses operating from home (21.4%).

(ICA, Non-insurance in the Small to Medium Sized Enterprise Sector, 2016)

What can it cover?

TYPE OF COVER POTENTIAL BENEFITS
Property Damage Repair or replacement of damaged property
Business interruption Loss of trading profit following insured damage to property and additional costs and expenses incurred during a claim.
Theft Repair or replacement of property stolen
Money Loss of money
Public or Products Liability Your liability to pay compensation for personal injury and property damage as well as the costs involved in defending a claim triggered by the policy
Glass For replacing glass inside or outside your premises, including your shopfront windows, mirrors or display cases
Transit For stock that is in transit on the road, in the air or by sea
Electronic equipment breakdown For repairing or replacing electronic equipment that breaks down
Machinery breakdown Cover for costs associated with machinery breakdown
General property To cover your tools of trade, including laptops and tools that you use for your profession or trade
Tax audit To cover the costs of being autited by the ATO
Employee Dishonesty Direct financial loss of business caused by the dishonest or fraudulent conduct of an employee which is first discovered during the period of insurance

What usually isn’t covered?

Exclusions, and the excess you need to pay and limits of liability can vary greatly depending on your insurer and the requirements of your business.

Important note

A product disclosure statement (PDS) is available from Dunbar Insurance. You should consider the PDS in deciding whether to acquire, or continue to hold, business insurance.

CASE STUDY

Rohan owns a shop in the city. One night a water pipe bursts, flooding the building and damaging his stock. Even worse, the building must be evacuated and renovated to repair all the water damage. This means that Rohan is unable to trade for six weeks.

Rohan’s business insurance covers the cost of the renovations. And, because he has business interruption insurance, he receives a payout to cover the income lost while he’s unable to trade.