2017 is coming to a close and 2018 will be here in a few weeks. 2018 is set to be a good year for business. The economy is growing and employment is at one of the highest levels in the past 25 years. There will always be challenges regarding business insurance and risk management.
Business Insurance Trends
The business insurance world is changing at a fast pace. Technology is continually evolving and businesses must change or die. New technology also brings change in claims and litigation. Often lawsuits filed today are indicators of business liability claims tomorrow.
Business Insurance
Business or commercial insurance coverage is available for almost every conceivable risk your business might face. The cost and amount of coverage of policies vary among insurers. Also the type of business you are in also impacts cost and coverage. You should discuss your specific business risks and the types of insurance available for your business with us.
Intellectual Property
This is one of the fastest growing areas of litigation. The average defense cost in 2016 was over $500,000. With more information being disrupted over the internet, claims are sure to increase. Intellectual property insurance coverage protects companies for copyright, trademark or patent infringement, and claims arising out of the company’s operation.
Healthcare Professional Liability
As we move well into healthcare reform, we are seeing increased litigation focused on medical providers of all kinds. In 2015, litigation against OB/GYN doctors accounted for over $3.9 billion in claims. Many states have enhanced medical malpractice laws designed to speed up and compensate injured patients.
Cyber attacks
Recent news that Russian cyber thieves stole billions of passwords should create heightened awareness about the risks and need for cyber insurance. The problem, Munich Re explains, stems from the fact that “most traditional property and liability policies provide no or limited coverage for cyber risks” although there still may be a duty to defend until such time as coverage is determined.
Social Media
Social media is becoming popular with many businesses, and this increases the liability risks. The combination of personal use and business use combined with privacy laws increases the risk to business of being sued by employees and other third parties. There is definite increased risk of defamation, libel and slander for firms who don’t outsource the service.
Directors & Officers Liability
Most business owners don’t believe they can or will be sued despite statistics that show otherwise. The latest number by Chubb Insurance Company shows that about 25% of firms have been sued for directors and officers negligence. Claims can be made by shareholders, regulators, family members, customers, vendors and competitors.
Our team of insurance professionals has the knowledge and experience to help you identify your risks and create cost effective solutions.
We are ready to help you better understand your risks. Please call our office today. Established in 1981 and located in Roswell, Georgia, we are dedicated to providing excellent service and competitive pricing but most importantly, professional analysis of the insurance needs of our clients. Our state of the art computer network allows us to make rate comparisons with several insurance companies to ensure that our clients receive the best we have to offer. We can help you with all your insurance needs including auto/car insurance, business insurance, life insurance, and wealth management.