In the modern business landscape, many Gen Z entrepreneurs are exploring and innovating. In 2022, a Prosper Insights & Analytics survey revealed that 10% of Gen-Zers said they plan to start their own business in the next 6 months.
Moreover, their generation grew up with mobile phones and other gadgets in their pockets, making them the next wave of digital entrepreneurs.
In navigating the current business climate, Gen Z should also consider the specific insurance they need, why they need it, and how this insurance can benefit them and their business.
Types of Business Insurance Coverage
There are different types of insurance that Gen Z entrepreneurs can avail. Let’s explore your options through the list below:
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
As an employer, you must pay for workers’ compensation insurance for your employees in your business. If they become ill or injured, the insurance will cover their medical care or cash benefits. You may opt for a private insurance company. You can also shop for insurance at sites like Assurance IQ. Other options include monopolistic state-funded workers’ compensation insurance and competitive state-funded workers’ compensation insurance.
General Liability Insurance
This type of insurance typically covers the policyholder and the company for claims that involve bodily harm and property damage resulting from your operations, services, and products. If you’re liable for damage to your landlord’s property, general liability insurance may also be handy.
Professional Liability Insurance
Also known as errors and omissions insurance, professional liability insurance can protect your business if your employees make mistakes and errors in the professional services they offer to customers and clients.
Remember that even the experts in their field may commit mistakes, so to protect your business from potential lawsuits, apply for professional liability insurance as early as you can.
Business Property Insurance
Business property insurance or commercial property insurance protects the owned or rented building, personal property, and equipment at your company.
This typically covers personal property, tools and equipment you use to operate, inventory at your office or warehouse, computers, furniture, accounts receivables, and outdoor landscaping like fences.
Cyber Liability Insurance
Many businesses suffer from data breaches and other cybersecurity issues. This is where cyber liability insurance comes into play. It protects your business from cyber risks, including stolen or damaged intellectual property.
There are four types of coverage under cyber liability insurance: privacy liability coverage, network security coverage, business network interruption coverage, and error and omissions (E&O) coverage.
Business Interruption Insurance
A business interruption insurance may cover loss of income when your business operations are exalted due to unexpected events like flooding, storms, a breakdown of essential equipment, or fire.
In some cases, the policy may also cover business interruptions due to damage occurring at a supplier’s premises and people not being able to enter your premises.
Benefits of Having a Business Insurance
Besides the specific benefits of each insurance we have mentioned above, here are other advantages of having business insurance as a modern entrepreneur:
Protection for Employees
Most states require workers’ compensation insurance. This may be useful when an employee suffers from work-related injuries or illnesses and needs immediate medical care.
Protection for Customers
Another type of insurance is the Business Owner’s Policy. This may cover property damage, personal and advertising injury, bodily injury, and product liability.
In case your customer gets injured inside your business premises, the policy will cover the medical costs.
Required By Law
Almost all states require businesses to secure specific types of insurance. While the other types of insurance aren’t required in some states, it’s essential to be proactive to avoid preventable consequences like potential lawsuits, a damaged building or inventory, and stolen information about your clients.
Enhances Credibility
With applicable policies, you can show your clients and employees that you are proactive and seriously deal with the risks.
By securing different types of policies, you can also show them that you are willing to invest in protection no matter the accident and conditions of the policy.
Helps with Recruitment and Employee Retention
More than just salary, employees also seek benefits when searching for jobs. Offering the right benefits like life and health insurance may result in a potential employee choosing you over other employers they have met.
Safeguarding Personal Assets
To protect personal assets, separate business and personal finances. This way, you can have better recordkeeping and streamlined accounting.
What’s more, building a business credit history can make it easier for you to qualify for loans to use for expansion or upgrades in equipment or systems.
By separating your business finances, you can safeguard personal assets from business-related risks. For instance, it’s fine to sign up personal guarantees for lines of credit, loans, and leases if the business is young.
However, as early as possible, build strong business credit by separating the business’ finances from your personal ones.
This way, you can ensure creditors that the business can pay back the loan instead of putting your personal finances on the line.
Don’t miss: What Companies Are in the Consumer Services Field?
The bottom line
Gen Z entrepreneurs are the future of different business industries. By learning about risk management and financial protection through business insurance, this new generation of entrepreneurs can foster a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem that will dominate the coming years!
