The insurance industry is an essential part of any small business, as the cost of risk is often too high for a new company to bear alone. However, choosing a business insurance company can be just as challenging as finding the right coverage.
Small businesses need to look for an insurance partner that understands their needs and offers competitive prices and customer service. These factors may not seem like much on their own, but they’ll considerably impact your customer experience.
Whether you’re thinking about starting with a local agent or venturing online, here are some helpful tips on what to look out for in a worker’s compensation insurance provider.
1. Covers Multiple Worker’s Injuries
One of the first questions you’ll want is how the company handles workers’ injuries. If a worker is hurt on the job and the insurance company doesn’t cover the injury, it could put the business in hot water with government regulators.
Like in health insurance, workers’ compensation insurance is obligated to pay medical bills for employees whose injuries occurred on the job. So, try and look for a coverage that covers multiple injuries.
The last thing you want is to put a strain on your budget by paying for medical bills out of pocket.
2. A Good Reputation with Other Small Businesses
Another way to determine if a small business insurance provider is reliable is to see how it treats other small businesses.
If you belong to a networking group or forum for small business owners, you’ll likely get feedback on which insurance companies are best.
You can also visit review sites and see what other small businesses have to say about the company you’re considering. Searching through reviews and asking around are good ways to avoid dealing with an unreliable insurance company.
3. Fast Claims Process for Workers
When choosing a business insurance company, look for one with a quick claims process. Some insurance companies can make the process excruciatingly difficult.
You don’t want to wait months for the insurance company to approve a claim. If an employee gets hurt on the job, they’ll need those benefits as soon as possible.
The last thing you want is to put an employee in a financial bind because their claim takes too long to get paid. You don’t want to wait months for a claim to get approved.
4. Competitive Pricing
Different insurance companies offer different pricing, which means you’ll want to shop around and find the best deal for your company.
You can get basic information by talking to an agent over the phone, but you should also look at their website for more details. Most insurance companies will have information on their website related to the cost of premiums.
5. Nurses on Call
Some insurance companies will have a nurse on call who can review the details of a claim. The nurse will look at the prescription and other details and let you know if the visit should be short-term or long-term.
6. Good Track Record With Small Businesses
You should also try to find an insurance company with a good track record. Knowing how long a company has been in business and what percentage of small businesses it serves can give you a good indication of its trustworthiness.
You can also check the company out with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB has information about complaints against insurance companies, which can help you avoid dealing with an unreliable company.
In Conclusion
Insurance companies are important parts of any small business, as the cost of risk is often too high for a new company to bear alone. That said, choosing an insurance company is a big decision for any business owner. It’s important to choose a company that understands your needs and offers competitive prices and customer service.
Now that you know what to look out for, you’re well on your way to finding an insurance company that fits your company’s needs.
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