Why Do I Need Commercial Insurance in Stratford?

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There are a variety of practical reasons why a business in Stratford needs a commercial insurance policy. First of all, a commercial general policy covers the costs that can arise from property damage, liability lawsuits and defense costs in the event of an insured loss. Here are some additional reasons why Tradition Mutual Insurance often provides commercial insurance for business owners:

• Business Insurance and a commercial lease - Many contractors, retailers and other startups look go rent or lease an office, showroom or retail space. In such cases, the landlord offering the lease typically will require that you have commercial general liability insurance (CGL.) This type of coverage protects your business against allegations of personal injury or property damage to a third party for which your business is found legally responsible. The business offering the lease wants to ensure you have coverage to ensure they are not drawn into a lawsuit.  

• Business Insurance and Tradeshows - Business insurance is an important factor in networking and advertising your services or products. Many tradeshows, convention centres, farmer’s markets, job fairs and company gathering venues will request that a business provide proof of insurance for a certain minimum amount of coverage (typically a 2 million CGL policy limit or proof of tenant legal liability) before being permitted to have access to the event or location.

• Ontario customers requesting proof of insurance - Ontario customers are becoming more and more savvy. Customers hear the horror stories through social media of a commercial business or contractor that offers a service or product that didn’t have commercial insurance and the consumer was left footing the cost for physical damage or bodily injury. A certificate of liability insurance can make your business much more credible to Ontario consumers and includes coverage/liability limits, insurance company name, policy number, effective/expiry dates. 

 

 

Who Needs Business Insurance?

 

All Stratford startups and businesses should have business insurance. Business insurance is critical for the long-term financial success of a business in Stratford. If someone slips and falls at your business or even your home-based business, you could face a costly lawsuit. Many small business owners would agree that commercial insurance is essential for anyone who owns a business because it covers the costs that can arise from property damage, liability lawsuits and defense costs in the event of a loss.  Without business insurance, a business owner would have to cover the damages and legal costs made against their company out of pocket.  

 

 

 

Can I Do without Business Insurance in Stratford?

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If you are not required by a commercial landlord, municipality, city, consumer or another business to have a commercial insurance policy, there are a few other questions that a business owner in Stratford should consider to make sure you are 100% confident that you don’t need business insurance coverage.

 

• Does my business have enough money or assets available to rebuild my business if it should experience a catastrophic water, wind, fire or smoke claim.

 

• Does my business have enough money or assets available to defend itself to settle a liability lawsuit?

 

• In the event of an insured loss, how many months can I go without business income while still meeting my financial obligations.

 

 

 

What is the Cost of Business Insurance?

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As a small business owner in Stratford, you want to make sure you can find the cheapest and best commercial insurance option. Prioritizing costs is normal in this uncertain economic climate. If you are simply wanting 2 million commercial general liability (CGL) and nothing more, your policy could be around $500 a year. If you are wanting a package option including some business interruption coverage or content and equipment coverage, your policy could be closer to $725 a year. The type of commercial policy will cause these costs to vary. Depending on your business, a number of factors determine the cost of your business insurance such as:

• The industry that you work in

• The years of experience in that particular industry

• Yearly revenue of your business

• Claims and insurance history

• Coverage limits and business insurance deductibles

• Risk exposure. ie policy such as the kind of stock, building type, territory etc.

• If you're bundling your policy commercial auto insurance  

• If your quote factors in paying yearly or monthly   

To get a free, no-obligation quote to determine the cost of your small business insurance in Cambridge, give Kyle Wijnands at Tradition Mutual Insurance a call at 519-393-3246 today.

 

 

 

 

 

Do I Need Business Insurance if I Work from Home in Stratford?

 

A home insurance policy isn’t designed to provide commercial coverages for a home-based business unless it is specifically noted as an extension on the policy. Commercial liability and content coverage is typically excluded under a residential home insurance policy. If you own your own business, then it is necessary that you have this business insurance set up. If you simply work for a company at your own home, it is best to confirm that you are covered for liability and business contents by your employer’s business insurance policy. If you are the owner for a home-based business, I would recommend that you purchase commercial insurance.

• A home based business typically has office supplies, inventory and equipment. All three can be exposed to a variety of perils such as fire, smoke, water or theft.

• Products or services that you offer could cause bodily injury of property damage to a 3rd party. A CGL policy is designed to protect your home-based business in the event of an insured claim.

• A customer or visitor who comes on your home premises could be injured from falling ice, be bit by an animal or slip and fall on the premises. These are just a few incidents that could lead to a costly lawsuit that the home insurance policy is likely to be excluded.  

 

 

What Does Commercial Insurance Cover my Stratford Business For?

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• Property insurance: Coverage built into a business insurance policy for damage to your business property including stock, equipment, contents and buildings.

• General Liability Insurance: Coverage built into a business insurance policy for bodily injury or property damage to a 3rd party.  

• Business Interruption Insurance: Coverage built into a business insurance policy for lost income due to physical loss or damage to your business assets as a result of an insured peril.

• Crime Insurance: This includes inside or outside robbery coverage, money and securities protection. A business can also chose to have employee disappearance, destruction and dishonesty coverage as well.

• Commercial additional agreements: Additional coverages built into the policy. Please contact Kyle Wijnands for a summary of these coverages.

• Equipment Breakdown Insurance, Flood Insurance, Earthquake Insurance and Sewer/Sump/Drain Backup Insurance.

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How Do I Know What Type of Business Insurance I Need in Barrie Ontario?

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No two businesses in Stratford are the same. Whether you are a retail business, contractor, commercial landlord or a home-based business owner, your business is unique. When you call Kyle Wijnands, he will personally assess your business insurance needs to make sure you have a commercial insurance package that fits your unique needs. His thorough risk assessment of your business is free and there is no-obligation. Give him a call at 519-393-3246 today.

 

 

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What are the Different Types of Stratford Business Insurance?

 

 

The main categories of Stratford business insurance covered by Tradition Mutual Insurance Company is:

 

• Retail Insurance

• Commercial Landlord Insurance

• Contractor Insurance

• Hospitality Insurance

• Home Based Business Insurance

• Office Building Insurance

 

The following is a breakdown of each category itemizing the kinds of business that Tradition Mutual can discuss the potential of setting up a policy. Please contact us today!   

 

Stratford Retail Insurance 

• Retail business that offer hardware/installation away from the business location.

• Retail businesses that sell paint and wallpaper at their business location only.

• Retail business selling building materials and home improvement supplies.

• Retail businesses selling plumbing, heating, air conditioning supplies.

• Retail businesses selling china, crockery and glassware.

• Retail businesses with showrooms selling furniture, heavy appliances, lamps, lighting fixtures, second hand furniture.

• Retail businesses selling clothing including tailoring, alteration and repair.

• Retail businesses selling carpets, rugs, draperies, curtains, linen and linoleum tile

• Retail businesses operating as a department Store selling apparel, fabrics, furs, house furnishings, furniture, hardware, groceries or meats

• Retail businesses offering door to door consumer sales and services.

• Mail order houses and direct selling organizations.

• Supermarkets

• Bakeries

• Dairy product, confectionery, frozen food and ice cream shops

• Other food type stores selling consumable products.

• Farm implement and machinery stores that offer sales and service.

• Furrier shops that sells, repairs alters, clears or deals with clothing made of fur.

• Footwear shops.

• Clothing Accessory shops (Belts, Scarves, etc.)

• Family clothing, women’s wear and men’s wear.

• Art galleries, pictures, print and framing shops.

• Antique shops.

• Electronic Equipment (Computers, Home Entertainment, Office Machines)  -  Store only

• Records, Compact Discs and Tapes (Audio/Video) Sales and Rentals - Store Only

• Carpets, Rugs, Draperies, Curtains, Linen, Linoleum Tile - With installation

• Furniture, Heavy Appliances, Lamps, Lighting Fixtures, Second Hand Furniture - With installation

• Electronic Equipment (Computers, Home Entertainment, Office Machines)  - With Repair

• Drug Stores - Prescriptions, Toiletries, etc

• Bicycle Shops Including repair and assembly

• Garden & Lawn Centres and Light Farm Supplies

• Jewellery stores

• Variety Stores and Convenience Stores

• Shoe Repair, Boot Black, Hat Cleaning shops

• Book store

• Florist shops

• Stationery stores

• Pet Shops

• General Stores Country - Population Under 3,000

• Dry Goods, Fabrics, etc.

• Flea Market

• Handicraft, Hobby

• Instruments (Drafting, Scientific)

• Leather, Luggage

• Musical Instruments

• Religious book store and goods.

• Toy stores

• Cameras and Photography Supplies

• Limited Price Range Stores ( Dollar, Loonie)

• Coin, Stamp Dealers, Rare Books

 

Stratford Hospitality Insurance 

• Restaurant Insurance -  No alcohol

• Drive-in Restaurant Insurance & Refreshment Stands/Chip Stands

• Take out Food Service Insurance 

• Hotels Insurance - Year Round Licensed (L)

• Hotels Insurance -  Year Round Not Licensed

• Hotels Insurance - Seasonal (Resorts) Licensed (L)

• Hotels Insurance - Seasonal (Resorts) Not Licensed

• Bed & Breakfast Insurance - Tourist Homes

• Airbnb Insurance 

 

Stratford Service Business Insurance 

• Black Smith Insurance - no work on race horses

• Bowling Alley Insurance  

• Gardening Insurance  for Others (landscaping Insurance  )

• Veterinarians Insurance  incl. Veterinary Hospitals

• Kennels Insurance  incl. Boarding of Household Pets

• Livestock Commission Merchant, Livestock or Cattle Dealer (No physical possession of animals)

• Milk Trucker/Hauler Insurance  

• Livestock Insurance   or Cattle Dealer, Including Sales Stables

• Pet Grooming Insurance    

• Financial Planning Insurance  

• Laundromats and Self Serve Dry Cleaning

• Dry Cleaners Insurance  and Dryers Laundries Other than Self Service

• Laundromat Insurance  

• Cemetery Insurance  -  Mausoleum (see also Churches)

• Cemetery Pre-Paid Funds

• Funeral Home Insurance and Undertaker Insurance  

• Photographers' Studio Insurance  

• Photography Insurance

• Photography, Videography Insurance  - Developing & Printing Services

• Barber Shop Insurance  

• Beauty Parlour Insurance   (excluding tanning operations)

• Travel Agency Insurance  

• Window Cleaning Insurance  

• Building Management Insurance  

• Janitorial Service Insurance  

• Cleaning on Customer's Premises of Furniture, Draperies, Rugs

• Copying/Duplicating Service Insurance  (Quick Printers)

• Towel, Linen, Diaper Supply Insurance  

• Employment Agency Insurance  

• Mailing/Addressing Company Insurance  

• Piano Tuning Insurance  

• Repair Shops Insurance  - Home Entertainment (Radio, Television, etc.)

• Repair Shop Insurance  - Other Electrical Appliances

• Re-Upholsterer Insurance  , Furniture Refinishers

• Disc Jockey Insurance

• Lawyers, Barristers & Solicitor Insurance  

• Geophysical Services Insurance  incl. Soil Testing

 

Stratford Health Service Insurance (CGL and building, equipment and contents coverage only)

• Gynecologists Insurance

• Obstetricians Insurance

• Physicians Insurance  

• Surgeon Specialists Insurance

• Psychiatrists Insurance

• Oculists Insurance

• Ophthalmologists Insurance

• Radiation Specialists Insurance (Incl. X-Ray, Infra-Red)

• Dentist Insurance, Periodontist Insurance

• Nurses Insurance, Registered

• Physiotherapist Insurance

• Anesthetists Insurance

• Chiropractors Insurance

• Optometrists Insurance

• Opticians Insurance

• Osteopaths Insurance

• Chiropodists, Podiatrist Insurance

• Dermatologist Insurance

• Hearing Aid Services

• Dental Laboratories Insurance, Denturists Insurance

• Association Insurance and Agencies Insurance - Planning, Social Services, Cancer Society, War Amps etc

 

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Stratford Contractors Insurance

• Fence Contractor Insurance

• Concrete Contractor Insurance

• Irrigation, Drainage System Contractor Insurance

• Land Grading Contractor Insurance (not Excavation or Road Construction)

• Sign Installation Contractor Insurance

• Antenna installation insurance (Television, Parabolic)

• Glazier Contractor Insurance

• Plumbing Contractor Insurance

• HVAC contractor insurance

• Furnace installation and repair contractor insurance (oil or gas)

• Air Conditioning (HVAC) contractor insurance

• Furnace installation and repair contractor insurance (wood and solid fuel)

• Water softener contractor insurance (water softener service and installation)

• Electrical Contractor Insurance (Electrician Insurance)

• Cement, Concrete Work - Not Otherwise Classified (N.O.C.)

• Masonry Contractor Insurance (Bricklaying, Stonework, Stucco)

• Drywall Contractor Insurance (includes plastering and lathing insurance)

• Tile Contractor Insurance (Includes terrazzo contractor insurance)

• General contractor insurance and handyman insurance

• Carpentry Insurance (Carpenter Contractor Insurance)

• Painter Insurance (Pain and Paper hanging contractor insurance)

• Floor Installation Contractor insurance (includes acoustic ceiling installation)

• Interior Decorator Insurance

• Sheet Metal Contractor Insurance

• Welding Contractor Insurance 

• Window and Door Contractor Insurance

• Excavation Contractor Insurance

• Water and Well Drilling Insurance

• Roofing - Residential

• Building Contractor Construction - One or Two Family Dwellings

• Swimming Pool Installation Insurance

• Contractors Equipment Rental Insurance - Tools, Scaffolding, Ladders & Hoists