Are you serious about your business becoming a success? Ontario is a competitive marketplace so you have to go to great lengths to ensure your business is able to thrive. With that being said, it is essential to ensure that you have the right protections. If you do not, you could very well let your business fall apart. Errors and Omissions insurance is going to help. Putting your mind at ease is just one of the main reasons you should obtain this type of insurance.
However, you also need to understand that E&O insurance is more than just a shield. It is potentially a requirement. Below, you’re going to learn more about the requirements of E&O insurance.
Managing Your Risks With E&O Insurance
Your business faces many risks. You may be a cautious individual. Nevertheless, there is still a risk that you’re going to make a mistake when managing the books or dealing with shipments. It is tough to say what is going to happen in the future. This is why it is essential to protect your business from these mistakes. While you may feel eager to do so, you’ll never be able to control everything in life. E&O can protect your business in the event that unexpected things take place.
So, what could go wrong? You may design websites. What if a website you designed crashes and remains down for several days? The customer is going to lose money and they’ll blame you. You may offer financial advice to clients. Offering incorrect advice that causes the customer to lose money could result in a lawsuit. You will be accused of professional negligence and sued.
You also have to worry about typos. After all, they’re fairly common. So, what is going to happen if you make a typo and your shipment goes out too late? This is a bad mistake and it is going to cost you dearly. Some customers might be understanding but others are going to be very angry. Being locked in a lawsuit will be very expensive.
Even if you win in the end, you’re going to be spending thousands to protect your business. You’ll be paying for your lawyer, expert witnesses, and court costs. If you lose the case, you’re going to be paying far more. Suffice to say, you need insurance to protect from such problems. This is where errors and omissions insurance which is also known as professional liability insurance, enters the picture. This insurance will cover these costs.
Client Contract Obligations
Dealing with small orders is safe. However, they’re going to provide less revenue. The reward is much smaller. With that being said, you may feel the urgency to make more money quicker. If you feel this way, you should take on large orders. The only problem is that bigger orders come with bigger risks. When you attempt to secure these larger contracts, you’re going to be required to jump through more hoops along the way. For instance, the client may force you to obtain E&O insurance.
This insurance will cover mishaps and your client will want that extra protection. you’re going to feel safe when you don’t have to worry about going bankrupt due to a lawsuit. This is why you need E&O insurance. It will protect you and your clients.
Requirement By Law
While you’re at it, you should know that you may be required to obtain this type of insurance by law. In Ontario, the requirement varies depending on your profession. Some industries are considered much higher risk than others. You have to be very careful about this. The law has put measures in place to limit the risks. One way they’ve done that is by forcing certain companies to have E&O insurance. So, what professionals will need this insurance by law?
Attorneys are the most notable. Attorneys may or may not be required to obtain E&O insurance. It depends on where they’re at and the bar association in their area. They’ll either need to obtain insurance or tell clients whether or not they do. Simultaneously, medical professionals will need it. This is true across parts of Canada. Nurses, therapists, and doctors will need a specific amount of malpractice insurance.
Finally, most contractors will need E&O insurance. If you’re going to be dealing with major projects or governmental projects, you will need Canadian errors and omissions insurance. The laws can vary from one province to the next. Therefore, it is pertinent to learn more about the laws in your area before moving forward. This is the best way to ensure that you’re going to be protected to the fullest.
History And Rates
A lot of business owners are worried about the cost of errors and omissions insurance. There is a good chance that you feel this way. Just remember that you can minimize your costs by keeping your history free of blemishes. You have to remember that you cannot buy E&O insurance just when you need it. You shouldn’t buy it when you’re on the verge of landing a big job that requires it. Instead, you need it for the long term. There are two problems that can occur.
Tougher To Get
Before you can obtain E&O insurance, the insurance providers are going to analyze your history. They’ll know if you’ve bought short-term policies in the past. It is in the best interest of the company to find long-term customers. If you only buy short-term policies, you’re going to be considered a higher risk. This will make it much tougher for you to obtain the policy that you need. Again, it is best to obtain errors and omissions insurance and hold onto it for the long term.
Claims Made
You should also understand that errors and omissions insurance is unique. This is a claims made policy. This means that you’re not going to be able to protect yourself from past allegations by obtaining E&O insurance at a later time. Therefore, it is a bad idea to cancel your E&O insurance coverage. Do not think twice, once you get insured, you should keep it for as long as you are in business and for a few years after you seize operations.
Ultimately, you need to obtain E&O insurance as quickly as possible. And, you need to hold onto it. Contact ProfessionalsCoverage to get what you need right now!
Other frequently asked questions before buying an E&O Insurance Policy
- What does an errors and omissions insurance policy cover?
- What does errors and omissions insurance cost?
- How can I lower my E&O insurance cost?
- How does E&O insurance for independent contractors I work with work?
- What does an E&O Insurance policy not cover?
- Why do some of my clients require that I have an E&O insurance policy in place prior to working with me?
- What is a certificate of errors and omissions insurance?
- What if I want to cancel my E&O insurance coverage?