Company insurance is intended to safeguard the financial assets of a business owner and is a necessary investment for a bakery.
This article will discuss the primary insurance coverage for bakeries, general liability insurance, as well as additional policies that are appropriate for this industry.
Bakery General Liability Insurance
Every firm, regardless of sector, has risks that should be insured. General liability insurance is the most frequent and comprehensive form of coverage that company owners purchase.
General liability insurance covers the following risks:
Physical harm
Damage to property
Medical expenses
Legal defence and decision
Personal and commercial harm
While general liability insurance is not legally needed for companies, operating without it is exceedingly dangerous. If your company is sued, you might face costs in the hundreds of thousands of dollars (or more). The only way to avoid this sort of catastrophe from destroying your organisation is to have an adequate general liability insurance coverage in place to assist pay for these losses.
Situations That A Bakery’s General Liability Insurance May Cover
Example 1: A customer is touring your bakery when she trips and falls into a hot oven. Her burns need medical attention. She requests that your company pay for her medical treatment. Your general liability insurance coverage will most likely cover the cost of her therapy.
Example 2: One of your bakers keeps a blog about her adventures. In one of her most recent posts, she discusses why your bakery is superior to a competitor’s bakery. After reading the blog, the rival decides to sue your company for libel. Your general liability insurance will cover the expense of your legal defence against libel allegations, including the cost of a settlement if one is necessary.
Example 3: A consumer is leaving your establishment. She swings open the door to depart, steps into the threshold, and then comes to a halt to check her phone. The door swings back and strikes her, sending her to the ground and breaking her wrist. She sues your firm for monetary damages. Your legal defence will be covered by your general liability insurance.
Of course, this is not an entire list of risks covered by a general liability insurance policy, and certain situations may result in a specific peril not being covered. To minimise coverage gaps, it’s always better to speak with your agent about the terms of your policy.
General Liability Insurance Cost
The typical bakery in the United States pays between $500 and $1,200 per year for $1 million in general liability insurance.
The cost of your coverage will be determined by a number of variables. Among them are your:
Location
Deductible
Employees’ number
Per-occurrence restriction
The overall aggregate limit
You may be able to get general liability insurance at a lower cost if you buy it as part of a business owner’s policy (BOP) rather than as a separate policy. A business interruption policy (BOP) is a more complete option that covers numerous types of coverage, such as business interruption and property insurance.
Other Types of Coverage Required by Bakeries
While general liability insurance is the most crucial, there are various different types of coverage to be aware of. Other forms of insurance that all bakers should have are as follows:
Insurance for Commercial Property
All of your ovens, baking equipment, and baking materials were expensive to purchase. It would be costly to replace your property if you lost most or all of it in an unforeseen incident such as a fire. A business property insurance policy may provide financial assistance for the cost of repairing or replacing property damaged in a covered occurrence.
Insurance for Product Liability
You bake your items with care, yet there is always the potential that someone could claim that something you sold injured or sickened them. If you have product liability insurance, it will cover your legal costs if a consumer sues you for damages caused by one of your items.
Coverage Options Available to Bakeries
In addition to the insurance listed above, your bakery may need other forms of coverage based on particular features of your business. Some of them may not apply to you, so be sure to ask your agent whether policies are appropriate for your company.
Insurance for Commercial Vehicles
If you have a car that is mainly used for work, you need a commercial auto coverage to safeguard your vehicle, the people who use it, and your company. Your state most likely requires you to obtain business vehicle insurance. If your vehicle is involved in an accident, you are covered for both property damage and medical care to treat injuries under such a policy.
Insurance for Workers’ Compensation
If you have employees, your state will almost certainly require you to obtain workers’ compensation insurance. Your coverage will cover medical expenses for workers who are injured while performing work-related responsibilities. It will also assist in compensating them for missed earnings as they heal from their ailments.
Additional Security Measures for Your Company
Although investing in company insurance is simple (and necessary), it should not be your first line of defence. Yes, insurance will reimburse your company for cash losses incurred as a result of an occurrence, but it is much preferable to avoid losses altogether.
With this in mind, here are a few steps you can take to better secure your company:
Make use of legally binding contracts and other business agreements. (We provide free templates for several of the most often used legal forms.)
To safeguard your personal assets, form a limited liability company (LLC) or a corporation. (To discover how to incorporate an LLC or company in your state, see our step-by-step tutorials.)
Keep your company licences up to date.
Streamline the internal procedures of your company. This will eliminate unneeded variables from routine activities and establish a secure, consistent environment in which to do business.
If your company is an LLC, you should check into LLC insurance.