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Miguel Said:

where can I get cheap business insurance in CA?

We Answered:

There's no such line of business as "business insurance". It's liability, or property, or some such. You're looking for a business line of credit, so maybe the bank wants $35,000 of PROPERTY coverage? Liability coverage - likely that million dollar bit - isn't going to satisfy the line of credit. And it's darned hard to buy ONLY $35,000 of liability coverage - and if you do, it will cost the same as the million, so a GOOD agent will only give you the mil.

AND, for business insurance, if you've got a quote for $500, that's pretty much what it starts at. No one is going to give you a $50 policy - they cost more than that to just issue, and the agent's commission (usually 10% or so) wouldn't even cover the cost to mail the policy to you, let alone the time involved.

Ken Said:

cheapest business insurance for van courier?

We Answered:

I work for an Insurance Brokers and those prices sound about right to me. Premiums for Courier insurance are normally quite high. You can go TPFT if you want to for a cheaper premium but remember if you cause an accident it will not cover repair to your vehicle. Do you really want to be left with large repair costs and no vehicle if your a courier? No. Try a company called FM Green or Tradex. Just type the names in to Google and you can get a quote and advice online.

Terrance Said:

How much can I expect to pay in business property insurance?

We Answered:

Well, you buy business insurance by the year, not by the month. Although many companies would be willing to give you a monthly payment plan once you're established and in business a few years, you probably aren't going to get that, the first year or two you're in busines.

Stand alone property coverage, is going to cost you $1,000. BUT, you *might* be able to get a business owners policy, with property and liability coverage, for half that - depending on exactly what it is you are designing. Neither of those would include professional liability, if you sell someone a flawed design that blows up.

Lastly, if it's really property only coverage you want, you most likely CAN endorse that to your homeowners policy - business property coverage can be added (but not liability), and that's probably the most cost effective way to do it. They might have a hard time with the software, though.

Joel Said:

business insurance problem?

We Answered:

Can't specifically quote any rates for your insurance needs. For one thing, I don't even know what line of insurance you were getting a quote on. (Work comp, perhaps?) However, I would suggest shopping around. (I am not saying that your quote is unreasonable.) Go to an independent agent who handles commercial insurance and has contracts with more than one insurance company. He can look at your needs and find the best fit and best price for you. You may have found the best one right off the bat, or maybe you didn't.

To some degree, insurance companies specialize in something. Some specialize in personal insurance (for individual people). Some specialize in commercial insurance (for businesses). Some handle both. (I work for an insurance company that started in commercial insurance and then added personal insurance specifically to deal with the needs of small business owners - one stop shopping for both personal and business needs.) An insurance company that covers small to medium sized businesses can give you the service that you deserve. An independent agent can look at more than one company and find a company best suited to your needs and one that will fit your pocket book.

I would tell you to get your insurance with my company (and we do a lot of business in NY), but it would not be kosher to advertise here. We are not the only company that could do a good job for you. Our company an excellent reputation in customer service and claims handling. This is an important feature of your insurance program. Talk to the people who own small businesses in your area. Find out how satisfied they have been with their service from their insurer. Ask them if they have been happy with claims handling. Some companies have a reputation for not wanting to pay out claims. Others are quick provide claims service. When there was a major disaster in the midwest and the branch covering that area was overwhelmed, not only did our company hire all of the independent claims adjusters it could, but our other branches from across the nation sent all of the claims adjusters they could spare to that area so that the claims could be adjusted and processed quickly. Since the computer networks between the branch offices and home office are interconnected to a degree, the clerical work associated with claims payment could also be handled by employees in other branches and home office (which was nice since the branch that handled that area had its own building damaged in the same storm activity and was not completely functional.) When a tornado destroyed a high school building in another area in the midwest, it was only a week later that the President and CEO (same person) of our company personally presented a check for the full insured value of the building to the President of the School Board so that they could begin rebuilding as soon as possible. That is what good claims service is about doing it quickly, efficiently, and with courtesy. (The President and CEO does not usually present claims checks himself, by the way.)