business insurance

Whether you specialize in carpentry, web design, or accounting, the availability of online resources and professional networks enables almost anyone to engage with potential clients and manage essential day-to-day business tasks independently. This growing pool of freelancers and self-employed professionals has simplified the process for employers, making it easier than ever to hire independent contractors to fulfill specific business needs.
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Whether you're looking to expand operations, launch a new product, or overcome a temporary financial challenge, having access to capital is essential. While different lenders have particular standards and regulations, there are some basic steps business owners can take to improve their chances of scoring a loan.
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Business is a great way to supplement your income, pursue your passions, or build a foundation for a future full-time venture. However, it's important to be aware of the risks involved before you take the plunge.
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Both business owners and employees have likely heard of OSHA, which stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a federal agency that sets and enforces safety regulations to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for employees.
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For small business owners, hiring and managing employees can be a rewarding but stressful part of the job. During uncertain times, maybe you need extra help but are thinking twice about committing to an official employee. So when should you hire, and when might an independent contractor or outsourcing company be a better fit? Here are some tips to guide that decision.
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In a classic "Saturday Night Live" sketch, actor and comedian Steve Martin once gave the most underrated advice on how to become a millionaire: "First, you get a million dollars." But if that doesn't work for you, try these inspirational ideas from some of the world's most famous self-made entrepreneurs:
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It's often noted that America is an excessively litigious society which may or may not be accurate, depending on who you ask. But there's no question that the rules and regulations that have made it relatively easy to sue for personal injury in the US have resulted in some truly bizarre lawsuits and legal proceedings. Read on for some of the most entertaining ones we found.
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For their abilities to help a business run smoothly and thrive, today's Internet-related technologies leave business owners wondering if the companies they have worked so hard to build are truly safe in cyberspace. Here, we take a look at weak spots, and how you can protect your business and your clients in Virginia.
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What would we do without our handy power strips? Those convenient blocks of electrical sockets, which enable us to convert one outlet into several, make it possible to plug in all the gear that we can't live without these days. A typical location for a power strip is the home office, where it helps computers, speakers, printer, monitors, and all sorts of other necessities come to life. But many households have power strips in multiple rooms, if not every room, since there are so many items that require plugging in these days. Hairstyling tools, cooking equipment, and phone chargers come to mind!
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Home sweet home is an obvious place to give a good scrubbing once springtime in Virginia arrives. It's time to wipe the grime out of every nook and cranny, wash the carpets and curtains, and pack away the space heaters and down blankets.
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Reality television has a way of glamorizing good, old fashioned outdoor work, with shows like "Extreme Loggers," "Deadliest Catch" and "Dirty Jobs." And although it can be hard to tear yourself away from these shows, we have to admit that part of the intrigue is the extreme dangers these people face every day on the job, especially compared to those of us sitting at a desk.
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What do real estate firms, golf courses, law offices, banks, farm owners, contractors, dry cleaners and gas stations have in common? Exposure to environmental or pollution lawsuits. Companies that deal with the transfer and storage of hazardous materials, like waste haulers, or fuel oil distributors all have an obvious need for insurance against environmental hazards. But businesses involved in property sales transactions (banks, realtors, lawyers) can pick up the pollution liability that comes along with the subject property. Many businesses use chemicals and substances that are benign, when confined to intended purposes (golf courses, farms, dry cleaners). But improper storage of these materials, inappropriate use, or run-off (pesticides and herbicides) can lead to environmental damage, personal injury and a lawsuit.
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Large or established businesses often have top level management and policies guided by a board of directors. But boards exist all around us and not just in a corporate setting. In each case, individual board members can be held liable for their actions or the actions of the board of directors and subject to lawsuits.
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No matter if your food service establishment is a cafe, deli, diner, or upscale restaurant, all such businesses share certain common risks.
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Business Interruption Insurance (BII) is an often overlooked insurance coverage that protects against exposures to loss every bit is vital as fire or litigation.If your business is forced to close your risk is not limited to temporary loss of income, which can be devastating in and of itself.You also run the risk of losing customers who turn elsewhere for their product or service needs.You may have difficulty paying key suppliers during an income interruption causing further long term loss as those suppliers sever their business relationship with your company.
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Ocean marine insurance is sometimes referred to as "wet" Marine Insurance. Since Ocean marine insurance is designed for property transported by water it would seem to make sense that Inland Marine Insurance would apply to goods and property transported by land and could be called "dry" Marine Insurance. That is accurate enough but not nearly a complete description of Inland Marine Insurance.
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Ocean Marine Insurance is generally regarded as the oldest form of insurance. In fact, the term 'underwrite', which dates back to 1430, was literally the practice of accepting risk for the transit of ocean vessels and their cargo by signing your name under a contract listing a description of the shipment. Today, ocean marine insurance policies are used to cover watercraft of varying descriptions (hull coverage), cargo and liability related to various marine activities. The common policy types that fall into the broad category of ocean marine insurance include: Hull Insurance, Marine Cargo Insurance and Yacht Insurance.

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Professional Liability Insurance...what is that and who needs it? If we changed the name to 'malpractice insurance' most of us would answer the question right away by responding 'doctors'. But the fact is 'malpractice' is a concern for professionals across many fields of endeavor.

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A survey of 422 businesses in May and June of 2006* indicated that, for 89% of the participants, at least one new law suit was filed in the prior year. Lawsuits brought by employees, both current and former, has been a litigation growth area in the recent past. And prospective employees who feel they were wrongfully passed over for an employment opportunity are also more likely than ever to bring suit.
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Twenty five percent of the businesses forced to close due to a disaster or emergency never reopen. Smaller businesses are especially vulnerable because they do not typically have the resources to cover continuing expenses if income is interrupted. A business can greatly reduce the chances of a disaster becoming a death sentence for you business by planning ahead. Here's what you need to have in place.
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What is a small business? Small is a subjective word, meaning different things to different people. As we explore the kind of risks you face and the kind of insurance you might need we're going to take a life-cycle approach, starting with the most incidental of business pursuits and work our way up to the Fortune 500 level.
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