From young entrepreneurs and startups, to farmers, and family businesses, Australia is a nation of small business owners. According to the ABS, over 90% of all Aussie businesses are considered small to medium enterprises, employing over 40% of the workforce. Together, they generate 33% of Australia’s GDP. Clearly, they’re a force to be reckoned with.
Successful businesses can grow quickly, and while it’s great for the bank balance, growth presents some unexpected challenges, especially when it comes to managing risk.
Many businesses fail to take out the right level of insurance to protect themselves, and their business, from unforeseen circumstances. Incidents like storm damage or theft are most common, but in a digital world, businesses also need to consider cyber risks such as the theft of customer data and broader business interruption threats.
Unlike most personal insurance, business insurance is less of a set-and-forget scenario. Insurance premiums are calculated based on the size of a business, the value of its assets and its activity. These are constantly changing, so it’s important to have a policy that covers your business for the state it’s in right now, otherwise you could be underinsured, which according to the Insurance Council of Australia, up to 80% of businesses are.
Having the right cover can make all the difference
While it can be tempting to cut costs with basic cover, the only way to be sure you’re fully protected is to get a quote based on accurate details about your business.
Here’s why it’s so important:
- Having your cover tailored to your industry and occupation means you’ll be ready for the unexpected, protecting you and your assets not just against loss, but a wide range of risks.
- Values change all the time, especially if you own property. If you have to claim, the right cover means there won’t be a gap between how much you need, and how much you get.
- Sometimes you have to put business on hold. The right cover helps ensure business interruption doesn’t compromise cash flow.
Answer ‘yes’ to one or more of the below, and you might need more cover:
- Has it been more than a year since you last reviewed your business insurance or did a risk management plan?
- Has your business grown in the last 2 years? (eg: amount of stock, annual turnover etc)
- Has your premises increased in value?
- Could your business survive if it had to stop trading for 6 months?
Underinsured? It’s an easy fix.
If you think your business might be underinsured, or you’re among the 26% of small to medium sized business owners the Insurance Council of Australia found have no general insurance, it’s worth exploring your options.
Just head to cgu.com.au or speak to one of our insurance specialists, so we can make sure your business has all the cover it needs to help you grow in confidence.
