Hamilton Business Insurance
Find the right business insurance policy for you.
There are over 790,000 businesses operating in New Jersey, with around 1,500 in Hamilton Township. Retail, hospitality, and healthcare-related businesses are common in Hamilton, but the city is home to a diverse group of companies. Hamilton business owners need business insurance to protect their assets and their employees.
Business insurance is not a single insurance policy; rather, it is a comprehensive set of policies and customized endorsements tailored to the unique risks of every business. Hamilton business owners need to understand the unique risks they face, and then work with an independent insurance agent to find the right policies and coverage to protect their assets.
Liability Insurance for Small Businesses in Hamilton, NJ
If your business were sued for injuring someone because of an error, negligence, or a faulty product, how would you pay for attorney fees, court costs, and any judgments levied against you? Many small businesses would be forced to declare bankruptcy in the face of these kinds of claims. But with liability insurance, you can have the coverage you need to defend yourself, pay the injured party, and continue to focus on your business. A commercial general liability (CGL) policy offers broad protection from lawsuits. It covers your legal costs, medical expenses and other damages for the injured party, and other expenses related to a liability claim against your business. A CGL policy has two major coverage components:
- Premises liability insurance: Covers third-party damage, injuries, or illnesses that occur due to an accident on your business property.
- Product liability insurance: Covers third-party damage, injuries, or illnesses caused by a defect in a product your company produces, sells or promotes.
It’s important to understand that CGL policies typically exclude coverage for certain types of lawsuits and claims. Many businesses need additional liability policies or endorsements that specifically cover other exposures they might have. Ask your agent if you need commercial auto liability coverage, professional liability insurance, or any other types of tailored liability coverage.
Cyber Liability Insurance for Hamilton, NJ Businesses
Almost every business has at least some cyber risk that needs to be addressed. You are likely to be at risk for a number of potential cybercrimes if you use, store, or transfer data electronically for your business. Data can be breached in many ways, from stolen laptops and other portable devices, to rogue employees, theft of digital assets, human error, and more.
- Number of identity theft complaints in New Jersey per year: 7,144
- Ranked 19th highest for identity theft complaints in the US
- Only 22% of businesses have a cyber/data breach response plan
If you have a breach of your sensitive data, cyber liability coverage protects your business assets. It will help you pay for a variety of related expenses, including defense costs, settlements and judgments, and even public relations costs. Be sure to ask an independent agent about how cyber liability insurance can help you protect your Hamilton business.
Property Insurance for Small Businesses in Hamilton
Every Hamilton business is at risk for some type of property damage. Severe storms with high winds, hail, and lightning can damage your commercial building and physical assets when you least expect it. What’s more, fires, break-ins, or vandalism can cause serious damage and put your ability to operate in jeopardy.
- Number of federally declared disasters in New Jersey since 1953: 51
- Most common reasons for declared disasters in New Jersey: Severe Storms and Hurricanes
Commercial property insurance ensures Hamilton business owners that they can repair, rebuild, or even relocate if disaster strikes. Property insurance covers your company’s physical assets, including buildings and office space, merchandise, inventory, tools, machinery, computers, office furnishings, and more when physical damage occurs. Just like commercial liability insurance, commercial property insurance doesn’t cover everything in every situation.
Business owners often need additional coverage for specialized equipment and machines, or for materials, inventory, or tools that are in transit or in use at job sites. Ask your insurance agent about equipment breakdown coverage or inland marine coverage to supplement your commercial property insurance policy. And be sure you discuss how to properly value your business property so you have the right amount of coverage to rebuild after a disaster.
Business Interruption Insurance for Hamilton Businesses
Events like severe storms, blizzards, or fires can force you to close your business while you make repairs or rebuild your building, warehouse, factory, or other commercial property. The lost income and ongoing expenses during the rebuilding process can be impossible to overcome without the right insurance coverage. Business interruption insurance can be your financial lifeline during this critical period. It protects your earnings if your business is temporarily unable to operate because of physical damage after a covered event. It helps you pay for ongoing expenses like rent and employee salaries, and it also reimburses you for lost income and even relocation fees.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Hamilton, NJ Businesses
Workers can be faced with work-related injuries in a variety of ways, from sprains and strains due to trip-and-fall incidents to serious illnesses caused by exposure to toxic substances. Worker injuries and illnesses are costly for everyone. Employees who are injured on the job often have medical bills to pay and may even have to take time off work while they heal.
Workers’ compensation insurance provides insurance coverage for work-related injuries and illnesses. It ensures that the injured worker gets medical care and income protection while unable to work. In New Jersey, all employers that are not covered by federal programs are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. This includes:
- Corporations: All corporations with one or more employees—including corporate officers—must have workers’ compensation insurance or be approved for self-insurance.
- Partnerships and LLCs: Partnerships and LLCs with one or more employees must have workers’ compensation insurance or be approved for self-insurance. Partners or members of the LLC are excluded from coverage but can elect to be included.
- Sole proprietorships: Sole proprietorships with one or more employees must have workers’ compensation insurance or be approved for self-insurance. Principal owners are excluded from coverage but may elect to be included.
Inmates, casual employees, independent contractors, domestic workers, and employees who were injured due to willful negligence are excluded from workers’ compensation coverage in New Jersey.
Employee Benefits for Small Businesses in Hamilton, NJ
Employee benefits are linked to a decrease in absenteeism and improved employee morale. That’s why it’s so important to make careful, informed decisions about what kind of health insurance, life insurance, and other benefits to offer to your employees.
- Average amount spent per year on healthcare coverage by New Jersey businesses: $2,239,166
- Ranked 8th for highest health insurance premium spending in the US
- Average annual cost of health care in New Jersey: $6,283/person or $17,396/family
There are many different policy types and options available for you to choose from, as well as numerous laws and regulations that you must comply with. A local independent agent can help you find suitable coverage at a competitive price.
Why Work with an Independent Agent?
Shopping for business insurance can be overwhelming, even if you own a small business with a simple business model. That’s why working with an independent insurance agent is the best way to make sure you get all of your questions answered, and you find the best policy for your needs and budget. Local independent agents can get quotes from multiple insurance companies, so you’ll be able to compare coverage and rates and make the best choice.
Contact a local agent today to get started.
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts
https://www.fema.gov/disasters
http://www.naic.org/prod_serv/AUT-PB-14.pdf
https://www.nfib.com/content/legal-compliance/legal/workers-compensation-laws-state-by-state-comparison-57181
https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/benefits/pages/alter-benefits-attract-retain.aspxz
https://www.business.org/hr/benefits/top-reasons-to-offer-employee-benefits
http://www.city-data.com