More than half (53.3%) of all Australian small businesses expect to grow in 2024, according to research released by accounting body CPA Australia. This is great news for the many dynamic entrepreneurs running these exciting ventures.
As your business grows and evolves, so could your insurance needs. Expanding your business, whether by increasing the scope of your operations, hiring more employees or opening a new location, may require careful consideration of your insurance coverage.
Ensuring you have the right insurance policies in place is crucial to help protect your growing investment and mitigating potential risks.
1. Review current policies
The first step in ensuring adequate coverage when your business is growing is to review your existing insurance policies.
The idea is to look into your current general liability, property and business interruption insurance policies to determine if they still meet your business’s needs. Expansion can often increase exposure to risks, so your existing coverage limits may no longer be sufficient.
2. Identify new risks
Growing your enterprise could introduce new risks your current policies may not cover. For example, opening a new location may expose you to different environmental hazards, customer demographics or regulatory requirements. Identifying these new risks would help you to work out the extra cover you need to protect your business.
3. Update your insurance
As your business expands, it’s often crucial to fortify it with the right insurance policies.
What’s important is to tailor your insurance strategy to your expanding business needs, so you can navigate your growth journey with confidence.
It’s easy to let your insurance requirements fall down your to-do list when you’re expanding. But this can increase your business risks at a time when you need to be working on the business rather than managing a claim.
As your business continues to grow, regularly reviewing and updating your insurance policies is essential. So make it a priority to do a yearly insurance audit to assess your coverage needs and make adjustments to your policies as necessary.
An experienced insurance broker can give you valuable guidance as you navigate the complexities of expanding your business, helping you to identify coverage gaps, recommend appropriate policies and negotiate competitive rates.
Talk to an AIB insurance broker today to ensure you have a comprehensive insurance strategy that aligns with your business goals.
Important notice
This article is of a general nature only and does not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation or needs. It is also not financial advice, nor complete, so please discuss the full details with your Steadfast insurance broker as to whether these types of insurance are appropriate for you. Deductibles, exclusions and limits apply. You should consider any relevant Target Market Determination and Product Disclosure Statement in deciding whether to buy or renew these types of insurance. Various insurers issue these types of insurance and cover can differ between insurers.
Steadfast Group Ltd ACN 073 659 677
Important notice – Steadfast Group Limited ABN 98 073 659 677 and Steadfast Network Brokers
This article provides information rather than financial product or other advice. The content of this article, including any information contained in it, has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of the information, taking these matters into account, before you act on any information. In particular, you should review the product disclosure statement for any product that the information relates to it before acquiring the product.
Information is current as at the date the article is written as specified within it but is subject to change. Steadfast Group Ltd and Steadfast Network Brokers make no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information. Various third parties have contributed to the production of this content. All information is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of Steadfast Group Limited.
Childcare centres play a crucial role in the early development of children, providing a safe and nurturing environment where they can grow and learn. However, ensuring the safety of children extends beyond physical care; it also includes protecting them from potential sexual abuse.
From a childcare insurance perspective, safeguarding against sexual abuse is a critical concern that requires a proactive and comprehensive approach. By implementing robust safeguarding measures, childcare centres not only protect the children in their care but also minimise potential liabilities and strengthen their position with insurers.
This guide aims to provide childcare centres with comprehensive strategies to safeguard children, ensuring their well-being and the trust of their families.
Sexual abuse in childcare settings, although rare, is a grave concern that can have lasting impacts on children, and even family members. It is vital for childcare centres to implement robust safeguarding measures to prevent such incidents. These measures not only protect children but also uphold the integrity and reputation of the childcare centre.
From an insurance perspective, safeguarding against sexual abuse in childcare centres involves a collaborative effort between the insurer, insurance broker and the childcare providers. We offer guidance, resources, and risk assessment tools to help centres implement effective safeguarding practices. Our shared objective is to create a secure environment where children can thrive, and childcare centres can operate with confidence.
An effective Client Protection Policy (CPP) is essential for any childcare centre to safeguard against sexual abuse. This policy should include critical risk controls and reference the 10 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. Key components of the CPP should include:
Implementing a robust Client Protection Policy with the above features is essential for:
In the unfortunate event of suspected abuse, it is crucial to act swiftly and appropriately. Your insurance broker and the insurer can provide guidance and support throughout the process:
Conclusion
From an insurance perspective, safeguarding against sexual abuse in childcare centres is an essential aspect of risk management. By working together with childcare providers, we can create a safe and nurturing environment that protects children, supports families, and upholds the reputation of childcare centres. Through comprehensive safeguarding measures, continuous education, and collaborative efforts, we can ensure the well-being of the youngest and most vulnerable members of our society.
Together, we can build a future where every child is protected and cherished, and every childcare centre operates with confidence and security.
For further assistance and to learn more about how we can support your childcare centre in safeguarding efforts, please contact our childcare insurance team.
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When you’re going out alone for the first time, there’s lots to organise and even more to pay for. While it is not always at the top of an entrepreneur’s To-Do list, ensuring you have the right startup business insurance cover is critical.
It can help protect your new business and its assets if something goes wrong. Without it, you may struggle to recover and remain viable after an accident or incident.
So, what insurance do new enterprises like yours need to start a business? Steadfast Technical Broking Manager Annette O’Brien shares some advice.
Start-up businesses are often advised to take out public and product liability insurance.
The first covers you for third-party injuries or property damage caused by your negligence. The second can help protect your business if a person or their property is harmed or damaged by a product you’ve manufactured or supplied.
Property insurance is designed to safeguard your assets – think plant and equipment, furniture, ICT devices and the like – against property damage, weather events such as storms, machinery breakdown and theft.
If you intend to hire employees or contractors, you will need to take out workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance will help protect against loss from work-related injuries and illnesses.
And should your employees need to use their own or company vehicles for work related purposes, you’ll likely need a comprehensive motor insurance policy.
While some new business owners baulk at the cost of business insurance, O’Brien says having coverage in place is part and parcel of operating professionally.
“Many insurers offer a business package that incorporates some or all of these common policies – your broker can help you source one that’s competitively priced and compatible with your business needs,” she says.
Depending on the nature of your enterprise, it may also be wise to take out specialised cover. If you provide professional services or advice, you’ll likely need professional indemnity insurance to help protect against claims related to errors, omissions or negligence.
In today’s world, cyber insurance is fast becoming a must-have, particularly for businesses that handle and store customers’ personal data.
Cyber-attacks and data breaches are now a daily occurrence – the Australian Cyber Security Centre received 94,000 cyber-crime reports in FY2023 – and they can be disruptive and damaging, particularly for organisations that lack the resources to remediate them.
Given the average cost per crime report is now $46,000 for small businesses, most start-ups would fall into that category, O’Brien points out.
“Cyber cover can help you mitigate the costs associated with data breaches and privacy violations,” O’Brien says. “Without it, your new business may struggle to recover from a significant incident.”
Insurance can help safeguard start-up businesses like yours against unexpected damage, disruption and disaster.
If you need help to determine the type and level of cover that’s right for your new enterprise, contact your AIB broker today.
Important notice
This article is of a general nature only and does not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation or needs. It is also not financial advice, nor complete, so please discuss the full details with your Steadfast insurance broker as to whether these types of insurance are appropriate for you. Deductibles, exclusions and limits apply. You should consider any relevant Target Market Determination and Product Disclosure Statement in deciding whether to buy or renew these types of insurance. Various insurers issue these types of insurance and cover can differ between insurers.
Steadfast Group Ltd ACN 073 659 677
Important notice – Steadfast Group Limited ABN 98 073 659 677 and Steadfast Network Brokers
This article provides information rather than financial product or other advice. The content of this article, including any information contained in it, has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of the information, taking these matters into account, before you act on any information. In particular, you should review the product disclosure statement for any product that the information relates to it before acquiring the product.
Information is current as at the date the article is written as specified within it but is subject to change. Steadfast Group Ltd and Steadfast Network Brokers make no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information. Various third parties have contributed to the production of this content. All information is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of Steadfast Group Limited.
Many small business owners have embraced the online business model because of the obvious benefits of lower overheads – no expensive lease agreements, no store fit out costs or maintenance and utilities. This might lead you to believe that there are also fewer apparent business risks associated with having no physical store presence. However, just because you don’t have a ‘bricks and mortar’ business location, doesn’t mean you are not exposed to similar potential financial losses. Having adequate eCommerce insurance is an important way to protect your growing business. So when it comes to insurance for online business, what type of exposures should you consider?
E-commerce business insurance refers to a range of insurance products designed specifically for businesses that operate and sell online. These insurance policies are tailored to address the unique risks associated with conducting business over the internet.
The simple answer to this question is – yes! While you may not run the risk of customers getting injured on your property, you have many of the same risks as any other retailer or service provider plus a couple of more specific ones. If your online business sells goods or services you could definitely benefit from business insurance that could mitigate a number of key exposures.
Depending on the type of business that you run, you still have the potential for your products to fail, be stolen or damaged or for your services to be called into question. In addition, operating in a digital space means you are exposed to the specific risks associated with data breaches or cyber crime.
Potential financial losses and liabilities associated with digital or online-only businesses can include everything from your website or online store going down, to the physical loss of your products due to theft, fire, weather damage or transit issues. You may be held responsible if your products cause physical injury or harm to someone and your reputation may suffer damage if a client feels you have been negligent.
Having appropriate online business insurance in place can protect your ecommerce business against potential legal action from customers or third parties who may claim to have suffered injury or property damage as a result of using your goods and services. This can include covering legal costs should you need to defend yourself against such claims and may even cover compensation that you may be required to pay.
Broadly, insurance for online business falls into several main categories: liability cover, business continuity protection and transit insurance. Let’s take a look at the types of cover you might want to consider.
Online retailers and eCommerce sites are most affected by cyber liabilities, as the point of sale overwhelmingly relies on websites and IT. If you were affected by a cybercrime you would likely suffer business interruption and it could impact your business profitability.
Cyber insurance protects against losses due to cyber incidents such as data breaches, hacking or accidental loss of customer information. Cybersecurity is one of the most significant challenges for an online business nowadays. Potential exposures include data breaches and the associated fines and penalties; cyber attacks where your data is encrypted and held to ransom; data loss and recovery costs and reputational harm.
Depending on how specialised your business is, you need to consider how much you might be affected if an integral part of your business e.g. machinery breakdown such as refrigeration units or storage facilities such as warehouses was unavailable or offline for any period of time.
Business Interruption Insurance provides compensation for lost income and other expenses if the business is unable to operate due to physical loss or damage from natural disasters such as fires or floods. It can cover financial losses such as lost profits, employee wages, fixed costs such as rents, temporary relocation and recovery costs.
The nature of work engaged in by online retailers and eCommerce operations may include exposure of employees to office, warehouse and shop hazards such as slips, trips or falls or risks associated with heavy lifting.
While Workers Compensation insurance regulations differ by state or territory and by the size and type of business that you run, Employers Liability Insurance can provide cover for compensation for medical and hospital expenses and rehabilitation services should an employee be injured in the course of carrying out their duties.
If you run a manufacturing or labour intensive operation and depending on the size and scale of your business, you may have a greater risk exposure to employee unforeseen actions or wrongful acts in your business operations.
Management Liability Insurance can safeguard you against claims arising from mistakes, actions or decisions made by your company directors, managers, officers and employees. It can cover the cost of investigating, defending and settling claims by a third party, as well as paying compensation the business is liable for.
Don’t let the term ‘inland marine’ confuse you. This isn’t cover for transporting goods on a ship. If your eCommerce business transports products, materials or equipment over land via truck or train, you may be exposed to risks of your products being lost or damaged in transit or while being stored in a warehouse.
Inland Marine Insurance can protect you should you lose products, materials or equipment due to theft, rough handling that causes damage or bad packaging resulting in damage. It can also cover you for damage or financial losses incurred while your goods are being held by a third party such as a warehouse or logistics company.
E-commerce insurance is crucial for online businesses due to the particular vulnerabilities they face, such as cyber threats, logistical challenges, and the global nature of access, which can expose them to various regulatory environments and litigation risks.
If you operate an online business contact AIB’s business insurance experts for assistance in selecting and getting a tailored quote for a policy that covers your specific needs.