As important as insurance is for small businesses, it’s not uncommon for busy company owners to be unsure about why they need it, where to get it, the fact that coverage can be tailored to their needs, etc. We know this from our interactions with customers and prospective customers all around the U.S.

Company owners face many challenges in running a successful business. One of them is creating and maintaining an environment where each employee believes the company and their fellow employees are treating them fairly.

If you’re wondering, “What is a Certificate of Liability Insurance?” or “What is a COI?” which is short for Certificate of Insurance, it’s a document that proves you purchased an insurance policy that protects you from business liability.

You’re performing a home inspection and miss a problem with the electrical system. The buyer goes through with the purchase, learns that correcting the problem will cost $6,500, and sues you to pay for that expense.

In simple terms, legal liability means being "responsible or answerable in law; legally obligated." Businesses can be found liable for a wide variety of actions that affect others, and if they are, they may be required by a court to pay monetary damages to an individual or organization.

Wherever you are in the U.S. there’s a risk of inclement weather negatively impacting your business. From tornadoes and hurricanes to blizzards and severe thunderstorms, the potential for property damage and business interruption is ever-present and something you have to be aware of.

There are many risks in business offices. A visitor slips on a wet floor and injures their back. An old microwave oven shorts out and causes a fire that damages a breakroom. An employee backs a company car into another vehicle in a parking lot. Any of these incidents, and many others, can result in you being found liable for monetary damages.

As an insurance agent, you provide professional advice and services to your clients. If you happen to make a mistake, you can be liable for any financial damages caused to them. A client might also accuse you of making a mistake, which means you have to defend yourself in court even if you didn’t do anything wrong.

The term advertising agency insurance refers to a set of policies that protect an agency from potentially devastating financial liability and losses. Advertising agencies face many risks—from employee and visitor injuries to property damage and liability for mistakes made. Without proper small business insurance coverage, the consequences of an incident can be crippling or can put an agency out of business entirely.