The types of insurance you’ll require for your home-based business will depend entirely on the industry you’re in, how much contact you have with the public and how much business property and equipment you own. These include:
Public liability insurance
Public liability insurance is essential for anyone who has contact with the public. It doesn’t matter if they’re customers you visit or if clients come to see you at your home such as might be the case with home-based hairdresser businesses or if you run a massage or alternative therapies business.
Public liability will cover you against claims that your business activity caused injury to a member of the public or damaged their property. Accidents can happen in any business, which could lead to a claim for personal damages or injury amounting to millions of dollars. This insurance offers between $5 million and $20 million worth of coverage for both personal injury and property damage claims.
What it covers:
- Third-party personal injury claims
- Damage to a third party’s property
- Legal fees to defend yourself
Product liability insurance
Product liability insurance will cover you against third-party claims that a product you sold was faulty or caused material loss, sickness, injury or death. This type of insurance is important for anyone who sells fresh produce, beverages and beauty or skin care products, as anything which is ingested or put on the hair or skin carries an additional risk of bacteria and virus transmission. Cover starts from $250,000 and can be bundled together with public liability into a business insurance package.
What it covers:
- Claims that a product you supplied caused sickness or injury
- Third-party damages claims
- Legal fees to defend yourself
General business insurance
General business insurance may also be worthwhile if you have tools, portable equipment, machinery or stock to protect as part of your home business. This could include your massage table or hair and beauty treatment equipment for those therapy and service occupations.
What it covers:
- Fire, storms, theft, vandalism and collision which cause damage to your business assets
- Specialist cover for electronic equipment and other portable equipment
- Limited business interruption insurance
Optional extras you may wish to include in your general business insurance package:
- Cyber liability insurance – to protect your home computers and any IT work you undertake from hackers and cyber criminals
- Employment practices liability insurance – which protects employers from claims made by people they employ, such as unfair dismissal or harassment
Personal accident and illness insurance
Whatever occupation you’re in, have you considered what might happen to your expenses and your family if you were no longer able to earn your income? Accident and sickness insurance can provide cover for you if you become unable to work, providing a weekly replacement income if you're injured or ill.
What it covers:
- Loss of income as a result of an injury or illness
Optional extras can include:
- Death benefits
- Disablement benefits
- Payment of business expenses during your recovery period