8 Benefits of Excess Liability Insurance for Small Businesses (2024)

September 4, 2023

|In Education

|By McMahon Insurance

Small business ownership is filled with excitement, potential rewards, and inherent risks. As a savvy entrepreneur, you’ve undoubtedly taken steps to protect your venture.

Yet, have you considered the benefits of excess liability insurance? This robust insurance layer can offer unparalleled protection against unexpected, large-scale claims.

Keep reading as we dive deep into thisextended insurance for small businesses. This information will set the stage for a secure entrepreneurial journey.

What Is Excess Liability Insurance?

The term “excess liability insurance” often surfaces in business insurance. But what exactly does it entail? Why is it deemed essential for many businesses?

Let’s delve deeper into this crucial protective measure.

Layered Protection

Excess liability insurance functions as an extra layer of protection. This added coverage kicks in once the primary insurance has been exhausted.

Think of it as a backup parachute. It provides an added safety net if your first one isn’t enough.

The primary policies can include the following:

  • General liability
  • Auto liability
  • Employer’s liability
  • And more

Extended Limits

Every insurance policy has a maximum limit. That limit is the highest amount the insurer will pay for a claim.

But what happens if a claim exceeds this amount? That is where excess liability insurance comes into play.

It covers the costs that surpass the limits of your primary insurance. This ensures that large claims don’t jeopardize your business assets or financial health.

Benefits of Excess Liability Insurance

Excess liability coverageis an essential tool in a business’s arsenal. It provides stability, security, and peace of mind. Now let’s look at the eight benefits of excess liability insurance.

1. Beyond Basic Coverage: Comprehensive Protection

The purpose of excess liability insurance is to provide coverage beyond standard limits. Think of it as an umbrella that shelters you when the storms of liability claims become too strong.

It prevents exposure when regular policies fall short. These scenarios, although rare, can happen. That’s especially with large lawsuit settlements or medical bills.

As your business grows, so does its exposure. Incorporating this specific small business insurance can prepare you for future expansion. It gives you peace of mind without fearing extreme liability costs.

2. Peace of Mind: Protecting Personal Assets

There’s often a thin line separatingpersonal and business assetsfor many small business owners. Excess liability insurance ensures that a large claim won’t threaten your assets.

Consider potential medical bills from an injury at your business or the fallout from a product defect. These costs can accumulate rapidly and surpass standard policy limits.

Knowing you have this extra layer of protection allows you to focus more on running your business.

3. Attracting and Retaining Talent: Employee Benefits

A comprehensive small business insurance package, including excess liability coverage, can be a selling point for potential hires. It indicates that you prioritize safety and security.

Employees prefer stability and security. Byprotecting your businessagainst unforeseen large claims, you’re ensuring a stable environment.

Offering top-notch small business liability protection can enhance your company’s reputation. A good reputation makes attracting and retaining top talent easier.

4. Flexible Coverage Options

Every business and insurance need is unique. Providers of excess liability insurance understand this. So, they often offer flexible coverage options.

As your business expands, your insurance for small businesses can scale with it. This adaptability ensures that you’re always covered, no matter the size or scale of your operations.

Contrary to popular belief, adding excess liability coverage doesn’t have to break the bank. The peace of mind and comprehensive protection it provides often outweigh the costs.

5. Legal Defense Costs

In the event of a lawsuit, legal fees can escalate quickly. Even if you win the case, the defense costs can be substantial. Excess liability insurance can cover these costs and protect your finances.

Having insurance means having a team of legal experts at your disposal. They understand the nuances of small business casualty and can guide you through the legal labyrinth.

Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense. With proper coverage, you can mitigate potential damage or settlements.

6. Coverage in High-Risk Industries

Specific sectors inherently carry more risk. Excess liability insurance is essential if you’re in one of these high-risk industries.

Various risks, from product liability to professional malpractice, may plague businesses. This type of insurance provides a safety net for diverse scenarios, ensuring you’re protected.

The business landscape evolves, and with it comes new risks. By investing in excess liability coverage, you’re future-proofing your venture against unknown challenges.

7. Competitive Advantage

In a saturated market, every advantage counts. Having robust excess liability coverage can give you an edge over competitors who may not be as comprehensively insured.

Also, customers and clients trust businesses that focus on safety and responsibility. Showcasing your extensive insurance coverage can foster that trust.

8. Enhanced Credibility With Partners and Clients

If you’re seeking investors or partners, showing them you’re protected against large-scale claims can be a significant selling point. It indicates foresight, responsibility, and a commitment to long-term growth.

Clients and partners prefer associations with stability and foresight. Taking preventive measures to secure against large claims emphasizes your commitment to long-lasting business relationships.

Don’t Leave Your Business Exposed – Contact McMahon Insurance Inc.

One thing is sure: unexpected challenges will arise. But with the robust protection of excess liability insurance, you can face these challenges head-on and protect your business.

If you’re committed to ensuring the longevity and success of your venture, it’s time to take action.Contact McMahon InsuranceAgencytoday and get the comprehensive coverage your small business deserves.

8 Benefits of Excess Liability Insurance for Small Businesses (2024)

FAQs

8 Benefits of Excess Liability Insurance for Small Businesses? ›

For example, if you were to be injured in a car accident and needed expensive surgery, you would be on the hook to pay for any costs beyond what the at-fault driver's own Liability limits would cover. This is where Excess Liability coverage would kick in to help cover those unexpected costs.

What are the benefits of excess liability coverage? ›

For example, if you were to be injured in a car accident and needed expensive surgery, you would be on the hook to pay for any costs beyond what the at-fault driver's own Liability limits would cover. This is where Excess Liability coverage would kick in to help cover those unexpected costs.

What does excess insurance cover? ›

An excess liability insurance policy, also known as excess liability coverage, offers financial protection and higher policy limits if a claim is made that exceeds the limit of an underlying liability policy. It's similar to having an additional insurance policy on top of your existing coverage.

What does liability insurance do for a business? ›

Business liability insurance protects your small business if you're sued for bodily injury, property damage or other type of loss during normal business operations. This type of business insurance is also known as general liability insurance or commercial general liability insurance.

Why do all businesses must have liability insurance? ›

General liability insurance can help cover expenses if you are responsible for a non-employee injury involving your business or damage to property you don't own. Professional liability insurance protects from liability in the case of negligence or a mistake in professional duties.

What are the benefits of excess protection? ›

Typically, it allows you to claim back your full policy excess on one insurance claim during the year-long life of the policy. This could be for a claim involving accidental damage, malicious damage, theft or attempted theft and fire, though policies can vary.

What is the purpose of excess in insurance? ›

Excesses are usually part of most insurance policies and help keep premiums lower by having the policy holder absorb or contribute to part of the loss. As mentioned above, it is important to review your insurance policy's excesses to ensure they are affordable.

What is excess liability coverage for business? ›

Excess liability insurance covers claims that exceed the limits of a primary insurance policy. If a business hits the per-claim or aggregate coverage limit on a particular primary policy, excess liability insurance will kick in to cover the amount in excess of the underlying policy limit.

Is it worth having excess on insurance? ›

Increasing your excess is only really worth doing if you can afford to pay it. Because your insurer won't usually pay out for a claim that costs less than your total excess, it's wise not to push your voluntary excess too high. The point of an insurance policy is that you can claim on it.

What is an example of an excess policy? ›

For example, an umbrella policy can also cover family members and those living in a household. Umbrella policies are considered excess policies since they're considered extra coverage for claims that exceed the payouts and coverage limits of the primary or underlying policy.

What is liability and why is it important to businesses? ›

Business liabilities are best defined as the financial obligations or responsibilities of a business. Liabilities should not be construed as a negative. Rather, they are a necessary obligation that proves essential to the company's progression. In short, liability is almost always necessary for a business to excel.

Can I claim liability insurance as a business expense? ›

General liability insurance is usually tax-deductible because the IRS considers your policy payments to be a business expense. Keep track of all the payments you make toward your policy, as that will be important when you file your taxes at the beginning of the year.

What is liability in a business example? ›

Some common examples of current liabilities are: Accounts payable: Money the company owes to lenders, clients, customers, and suppliers. Short-term loans: Loans with repayment periods of one year or less.

What is the best type of insurance for a small business? ›

At minimum, you should start with these types of small business insurance: General liability coverage. Workers' compensation coverage. Commercial auto coverage.

Which is a major purpose of liability insurance? ›

Liability insurance provides protection against claims resulting from injuries and damage to people and/or property. Liability insurance covers legal costs and payouts for which the insured party would be found liable. Provisions not covered include Intentional damage, contractual liabilities, and criminal prosecution.

Why is liability insurance the most important? ›

Liability insurance is an essential coverage for small business owners. It helps protect you from claims that your business caused bodily injury and property damage. The importance of liability insurance is that every business faces claims that can come up during normal operations.

Why is excess liability so expensive? ›

Generally, the higher the limit you're looking for on your excess liability policy, the higher the cost. Additionally, because this type of insurance is designed to cover unexpected claims that exceed the limits of your existing policy, your industry and risk level will play an even more influential role in your cost.

What is the excess layer of liability insurance? ›

Excess layer (aka Excess of Loss) insurance is when one insurer provides insurance for the first part of a claim/loss and then another insurer provides insurance for the next part of the claim/loss. The insurance for the “next part of the claim/loss” is referred to as the Excess Layer.

Is a higher excess better insurance? ›

Generally speaking, a higher excess means a lower premium for the customer. The higher the excess, the less risk is put on the insurer, and less money they ask from the policyholder to cover this risk. If you make a claim that's lower than your excess, you won't receive a payout from your insurer.

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