Can you survive a liability claim?
Liability risk management should be a priority for all businesses, especially small and medium enterprises with limited resources and finances. Why? Well, for the exact reason that new and growing businesses may not have the resources and finances needed to survive a lengthy legal liability battle.
Insurance Vs. Liability Risk Management
Picture this scene: Your office is broken in to. Your computers and office equipment are stolen and the premises vandalised. Although your insurer can’t replace the information stored on the computers they can replace the actual machines with brand new ones to the same value, and assist with repairing your premises.
But with liability risk, it’s not that simple. Liability insurance covers you, the business owner, for property damage, injury or death that you may be liable for due to a number of reasons. And, there’s no telling how much the claim will amount to. For example, if a tile is loose on the steps leading to your office and a client or employee injures themselves badly from slipping, the cost of medical attention, pain and suffering, rehabilitation, loss of earnings etc will be immense. A liability insurance policy is the solution.
Would Your Company Be Able To Survive A Liability Claim?
One needs to ask yourself if your business would be able to survive a liability claim and what the impact of such a claim may be. In addition to insurance, there are several risk management steps that new and growing businesses should take in order to reduce their liability risk.
Around The Office:
Prevent slips, trips and falls at your home office by ensuring that the office and reception area is free of debris and clutter
Make sure that your bookshelves are constructed of a sturdy material and that they are secured to the wall so that leaning on them will not cause them to topple over
Sweep, mop or vacuum your office floors daily
Repair or replace worn, torn or loose floor coverings straightaway
Inspect your office furniture regularly and repair or replace as necessary
Other Uncertainties:
If you are a professional, you’re at risk of allegations of failure to advise customers appropriately and thereby breaching your duty of care as a professional. Be sure to always sign a contract with your customer because it helps resolve disputes that may arise in the future. Always be thorough in the advice that you give to your customers. Remember that informed customers are less likely to be dissatisfied customers
If you are a director or officer of a business, make sure that you produce and maintain accurate accounting records and in particular, all tax and Vat returns
Another tip is to avoid conflict of interest situations
The content in this article was provided by Ken Van Sweeden (General Manager Professional Liability – Business Insurance, at Telesure Group Services), through the Budget Insurance brand.
About Budget Insurance Ltd:
For more than a decade, Budget has offered the South African public the opportunity to enjoy great insurance products at low low premiums. We focus on bringing you great value for money on your car, home and business insurance and we automatically include Assist Benefits in our policies; ensuring you always have assistance when you need it. We also have cut the cost of add-on products such as cover for funeral expenses, personal accidents, and small damage repairs for cars so that you can have added peace of mind when it comes to dealing with life’s uncertainties.
As a leader in insurance, we offer our clients:
World class systems
Efficient call centre assistance
Benefits designed to complement their insurance packages
High on value, low on premiums insurance
Sound cover and insurance advice
Fully functional online policy management systems
For more information, contact:
Website: https://www.budgetinsurance.co.za/
Tel: 0861 00 19 17