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PROTECTING WHAT MATTERS MOST
Much of running a business involves managing the delicate balance between opportunity and risk. Successful business people know how to capitalize on opportunities but also know how to manage risk. The professional brokers at Orr Insurance & Investment can partner with you to mitigate risks and maximize your ROI by reviewing the unique needs of your business and searching for the most comprehensive insurance solution tailored to you.
Commercial vehicle insurance provides coverage for cars, trucks, and vans used to conduct your business. Whether you have a small business or a large fleet, it makes good business sense to financially protect your drivers and vehicles with a commercial vehicle insurance policy. Your Orr Insurance Broker can help keep your wheels turning by ensuring that the commercial vehicles used for your business are properly protected.
Certain business usage and vehicle types may be excluded from personal auto insurance policies. Why? Since personal auto policies were not meant for businesses, they are written and rated differently. Commercial vehicle insurance, also called commercial car insurance, or business auto insurance provides physical damage and liability coverage not covered by a personal auto insurance policy. In Canada, any vehicle used to transport clients, materials, goods, tools or equipment, generally requires commercial coverage.
While work vans, cube vans, food trucks, and service utility trucks are most commonly recognized as work vehicles, private passenger vehicles used for business purposes also require a commercial vehicle policy. The general rule of thumb is that if you or your employees use your vehicle as part of your business, excluding your daily commute to and from work which is covered by your personal auto policy, you need a commercial vehicle policy. A few examples include vehicles used by; electricians, plumbers, and HVAC professionals; carpenters, painters, and other contractors; landscapers and plow services; caterers and food vendors; and other business types, like real estate and sales.
At Orr Insurance and Investment we can tailor your commercial vehicle insurance specific to your business needs. Coverage options include:
Bodily injury liability coverage – covers expenses associated with causing injury or death to someone else in an at-fault accident if a victim or surviving family member files a claim against you in court, this coverage also provides you with legal defence and court costs.Property damage liability coverage – provides you with protection if your vehicle accidently damages another person’s property and in most cases covers your defence and court fees if you are sued following an accident.Combined single limit (CSL) – Liability policies typically offer separate limits that apply to bodily injury claims for property damage. A combined single limits policy has the same dollar amount of coverage per covered occurrence whether bodily injury or property damage, one person or several.Medical payments, no-fault or personal injury coverage – usually pays for the medical expenses of the driver and passengers in your vehicle incurred as a result of a covered accident regardless of fault.Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage – pays for your injuries and, in some circumstances, certain property damage caused by a driver with no insurance or inadequate insurance.Comprehensive coverage – pays for damage to your vehicle resulting from theft, vandalism, flood, fire, and other covered perils.Collision coverage – pays for damage to your vehicle when it hits or is hit by another person in an accident. .Unattached tools and materials transported in your vehicle are not covered by commercial auto insurance. Tools and equipment are best covered as part of a Business Owner’s Policy or general liability policy.
Depending on the size of your trailer, it may be covered under your commercial vehicle insurance. Generally if your trailer is less than 2,000 pounds gross weight, it is automatically covered for liability but will need to be added to your policy for full coverage in the event of theft or damage. If it is more than 2,000 pounds (usually more than one axle), it won’t be covered unless you add it to your policy.
Commercial fleet insurance is required for commercial businesses that insure groups of at least five vehicles that are under common ownership or management and that are used for business, commercial or public purpose. Commercial fleet insurance policies can offer discounts, or surcharges, based on the overall losses paid over a specified period of time – the fewer claims paid, the greater your premium discounts.
Sometimes it is easy to determine whether or not you need a commercial vehicle insurance policy, however, in some cases the line between a personal auto insurance policy and a commercial insurance vehicle policy may not be so clear cut. Contact us today to determine what coverage options are right for you.
If you own a business with multiple vehicles used for business purposes, commercial fleet insurance is definitely something you should consider. In Ontario, fleet insurance can be applied to businesses with five or more vehicles. A fleet policy makes it possible to insure multiple vehicles – from cars, minibuses, trucks and taxi’s – on a single insurance policy. Because a fleet insurance policy covers all your vehicles, you can save money from having them individually insured.
The greatest benefit of fleet insurance is that it allows the insurance company to group rate like vehicles and potentially allow for discounts. This eliminates much of the worry and stress of handling a different insurance policy for each different vehicle. Some fleets will have a particular endorsement that allows like vehicles to be automatically covered. There are restrictions and requirements in order for overage to apply but this is very useful for businesses that have many vehicles that change frequently throughout the year.
As with any commercial vehicle policy there are different levels of insurance you can get with fleet coverage starting with third party liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage.
Third party liability is required by law in order to have a vehicle on the road but it only protects the other party for both property damage and bodily image – there is no coverage for yourself nor the vehicle you own.
Collision covers the owned vehicle for damage caused by a collision. This does NOT cover medical or legal fees. It will also not cover the vehicle in cases of damage caused by anything other than a collision.
Comprehensive on the other hand covers a long list of perils that can cause damage or destroy your vehicle. It will also provide coverage for medical and legal fees. For example if one of your vehicles was vandalized and had the mirrors broken off and a few dents put in it you would be covered. This wouldn’t be covered if you just had third party liability and collision.
There are also a number of other endorsements (or optional coverages) that you can choose. What is available will depend on the insurance company and the type of business.
Talk to your broker for more information.
A couple of things to keep in mind as you look into whether or not a fleet insurance policy makes sense for your business:
Every employee that will be driving one of the insured vehicles must be listed on the fleet policy. Failure to do so could result in a claim being denied. The number of vehicles, vehicle types, individual driver history and experience, how the vehicles are stored when not in use, and the presence of alarm systems in the vehicles can all affect premiums and depending on exactly what kind of vehicles you are insuring the drivers may need a special operator’s license.
If the fleet insurance policy will be used for vehicles that are transporting goods, it is also important to purchase insurance that will cover the costs of the goods in the event that they are lost, stolen, or damaged in the event of an accident or a breakdown. Many fleet insurance policies will provide such an option
Update your broker regarding any relevant changes including the number of vehicles you own and who is driving them. You’ll also want to notify your broker if the nature of your business changes and keep them up to date with your address and contact information.
If you’re not sure about whether or not you need fleet insurance talk to your broker first. They’ll be able to help get you a policy that protects your assets while staying within budget.
A garage automobile insurance policy is essential for businesses that maintain care and control of a customers’ vehicle. Whether you run an auto repair shop, detail vehicles, or run a service station, this unique coverage is essential to protect the business you’ve worked hard to build. Talk to your Orr Insurance & Investment Broker to get a comprehensive insurance solution that takes care of all your needs so you can relax and continue living the dream.
Garage automobile insurance policies provide a special type of coverage for businesses in which customers’ vehicles are left in your “care and control”. Did you know that your customers’ personal auto insurance policy excludes coverage for damage caused by a garage while their vehicle is being worked on? Think about this for a moment – if one of your employees crashes a customers’ vehicle in the process of test driving it following a repair, you would be liable. A garage automobile insurance policy is designed to meet this unique need. It covers liability exposures for damage for non-owned automobiles and extends to any of your active partners or employees that you list on your application for insurance. The coverage can be expanded to include owned automobiles as well.
Businesses that need garage automobile insurance coverage may include auto repair garages, oil and lube service stations, body shops, specialty shops (glass repair, window tinting, vehicle wraps), parking garages, valet services, auto detailing and car washes. In each of these facilities, there is a possibility for damage to occur to vehicles left in their care.
A garage automobile insurance policy will provide coverage for claims resulting from risks associated with owning and operating a business that works with, sells, stores, transports or otherwise are in the care, custody and control of a customers’ vehicle. Coverages usually included under a commercial garage automobile insurance policy include third party liability, accident benefits, direct compensation – property damage, legal liability for physical damage to customer vehicles and physical damage to owned vehicles.
If you own a business that requires you to be in the care and control of a vehicle that is not owned by you, you should talk to us about garage automobile insurance options. Contact us today to determine what coverage options are right for you.
A garage automobile insurance policy is essential for businesses that maintain care and control of a customers’ vehicle. Whether you run an auto repair shop, detail vehicles, or run a service station, this unique coverage is essential to protect the business you’ve worked hard to build. Talk to your Orr Insurance & Investment Broker to get a comprehensive insurance solution that takes care of all your needs so you can relax and continue living the dream.
Garage automobile insurance policies provide a special type of coverage for businesses in which customers’ vehicles are left in your “care and control”. Did you know that your customers’ personal auto insurance policy excludes coverage for damage caused by a garage while their vehicle is being worked on? Think about this for a moment – if one of your employees crashes a customers’ vehicle in the process of test driving it following a repair, you would be liable. A garage automobile insurance policy is designed to meet this unique need. It covers liability exposures for damage for non-owned automobiles and extends to any of your active partners or employees that you list on your application for insurance. The coverage can be expanded to include owned automobiles as well.
Businesses that need garage automobile insurance coverage may include auto repair garages, oil and lube service stations, body shops, specialty shops (glass repair, window tinting, vehicle wraps), parking garages, valet services, auto detailing and car washes. In each of these facilities, there is a possibility for damage to occur to vehicles left in their care.
A garage automobile insurance policy will provide coverage for claims resulting from risks associated with owning and operating a business that works with, sells, stores, transports or otherwise are in the care, custody and control of a customers’ vehicle. Coverages usually included under a commercial garage automobile insurance policy include third party liability, accident benefits, direct compensation – property damage, legal liability for physical damage to customer vehicles and physical damage to owned vehicles.
If you own a business that requires you to be in the care and control of a vehicle that is not owned by you, you should talk to us about garage automobile insurance options. Contact us today to determine what coverage options are right for you.
Commercial Property Insurance provides financial protection from physical loss or damage from certain events – like a fire or a break-in, that may cause damage to your buildings, contents, equipment and stock. Whether your business is a manufacturing plant, auto garage, office building, retail space, restaurant or corner pub, a commercial property insurance policy can protect your livelihood from financial losses due to damage – even provide cash flow while you get your operation back up and running. Your Orr Insurance and Investment Broker is a business risk specialist; whether you own, lease, or rent your premises and equipment, we will comb the market for the best commercial property insurance coverage to protect both the building you operate out of, and the things inside it.
Suffering a loss to your business can be devastating. While commercial property insurance can’t prevent a loss, a comprehensive commercial property insurance policy can help mitigate the effects of a loss. It can help get your business back up and running as soon as possible by helping to get repairs done quickly and keeping the costs to your business down. By reducing your down time, you can maintain your businesses continuity and protect your businesses reputation with customers.
More than bricks and mortar, the contents of your businesses’ buildings need coverage too. Commercial property insurance provides coverage for your businesses most valuable physical assets – such as buildings, equipment, computers and stock – against loss or damage from a range of causes including fire, theft, or vandalism. Coverage options under a commercial property insurance policy can be personalized to suit the unique needs of your business and may include:
Replacement cost coverage – If the covered loss to your property is too extensive for repairs, commercial property insurance can often help with the replacement costs. For example, if you own a bakery and a fire breaks out in your kitchen destroying your electrical oven, your commercial property insurance policy can help keep the replacement costs low and protect your bottom line. Business interruption – If you suffer a covered loss, you likely won’t be able to sustain operations right away. The right commercial property insurance policy may be able to mitigate your loss of income to help you keep up with bills, payroll and other expenses until you’re back on your feet. Contractors’ equipment – Whether you are a general contractor working on a project or a specialized firm running multiple job sites, you need specialized tools to function. No matter the company size; your tools, machinery, spare parts and work clothing likely represent a significant investment. The right commercial property insurance coverage can ensure the materials essential to your business — at either a job site or in transit — are covered.Equipment breakdown – Even with expert installation and regular maintenance, equipment breaks down. And when mechanical or electrical failures occur, you need to know that your company’s operations are safe and you can continue to keep servicing your valued clients.Times are rapidly changing and how we communicate and do business has too. As many of us spend more time at home or have shifted work to home altogether during COVID-19, cyber criminals have upped their game. We’ve all seen the news stories of major corporations getting hacked, or even organizations in our own backyard. Any business, no matter how small or large, can be a victim of cyber-crime or have a cyber breach.
Commercial Cyber Insurance is a policy designed to protect a business’ liability for data breaches related to customers’ personal or sensitive business information. Cyber Insurance provides protection and coverage for the security and privacy of digital information and data should your business or organization be a victim of a cyber breach.
Every business can benefit from commercial cyber insurance. If you sell products through e-commerce or maintain electronic customers’ records, you should carry cyber insurance to protect your organization from risk. A breach of the systems containing this personal and commercial information can be extremely time consuming and costly.
Data compromise, cyber and privacy breach expenses insurance provides assistance for organizations before and after an event. Educational information is available with tips on preventative measures. Consultation is provided if a breach occurs with a plan on what to do, how and when to notify others and to mitigate public relations issues. There are limited expense reimbursements included to assist with managing the event. However, these types of options are not actual liability insurance coverage and can often be purchased without actual cyber liability coverage as follows.
This coverage is needed to provide defence and legal liability for damages if the business or organization (the insured) is legally liable for failing to protect confidential information.
Some insurance policies may offer coverage for PCI-Payment Card Industry fines and penalties, or defence expenses in the event of a regulatory action regarding a privacy breach
In today’s increasingly technical world, it isn’t so much a matter of if there will be cyber attacks, but when. There can be various ways to protect your business from cyber attacks. To mitigate your risk, contact your Orr Insurance & Investment Broker and find out what options work for you.
There are a lot of risks associated with running your own business. The smallest details has the potential to derail your business and not considering the risk of liability claims can leave your business exposed. The right business liability insurance policy helps protect the future of your business in the face of a liability claim.
Liability is the responsibility you have as a business owner if you cause damage to a third party and that third party takes action against you. A business is considered liable when it is responsible for the damages suffered by a third party. Business owners are exposed to a variety of liability risks associated with selling your products or providing your services if those products or services end up being responsible for injuring a third party or damaging a third parties property. Both of these instances can lead to a customer or client filing a liability claim against your business. Liability claims can result in costly lawsuits. In some cases, your business may not have done anything wrong, yet could still face a lawsuit as a result of a liability claim. Having the right business liability insurance coverage can help protect your business financially.
Business liability risks aren’t one size fits all. They come in all shapes and sizes, which means there are different types of liability insurance coverages that can help you protect your business. Here are the main business liability insurance coverages:
Commercial general liability (CGL) insurance is designed to protect you and your business from a loss if you’re found legally liable for bodily injuries or property damage to a third party caused by a product you sell or the service you provide. CGL insurance can also offer protection in situations where your employees are conducting business off-site.
Bodily Injury claims can be costly for business owners. If a customer or client slips, trips or falls while on your property, they could file a lawsuit against your business for the injuries they sustain. Lawsuits from slips and falls are common so it’s important to ensure you are protected from this type of risk
Property damage liability is a hefty concern for business owners. If you’re found legally liable for damages to a third parties property, you could face a costly lawsuit. It could also negatively impact your reputation with current and prospective customers or clients. For example, if you own a painting business and your painter spills a can of paint in a customer’s home damaging carpet or other property like computer equipment or valuable collectables, your customer could file a property damage liability claim against your business. Ensuring your CGL policy provides you with the property damage liability protection you need can keep you business running smoothly.
If your business makes or sells products, you’re responsible for every single product that leaves your store or facility. If one of these products ends up being responsible for injuring a customer or damaging third party property your business could be held accountable and the consequences that could follow can be costly. SOme examples of what may cause a product issue include:
Design defects – this issue occurs before the product is even made. Improper design can lead to a product being unsafe or faulty.Manufacturing defects – this issue occurs while the product is being made. If something goes wrong during the manufacturing process that causes an issue such as a missing piece or incorrect assembly and subsequently causes a customer harm, you could be held liable.Marketing defects – this issue has nothing to do with the product itself, but rather how the product is marketed to the customer. Incorrect food or warning labels (or lack thereof) or insufficient instructions are common (and dangerous) marketing defects.Product Liability Insurance can help mitigate the losses you experience from product liability claims against your business.
Professional liability insurance helps protect professionals against costly claims from clients alleging that errors in your work resulted in a loss, or if they believe your services failed to meet expectations. If you consult, design, or provide any type of service to clients for a fee, mistakes can happen. Whether you miss a deadline or forget a critical requirement, if a client suffers a loss as a result of errors in your work, they could file a lawsuit against your business. Having the right professional liability insurance coverage can help protect your business from the costs associated with thee types of lawsuits.
Not all businesses are the same; not all insurance solutions should be either. We insure businesses of all sizes across a wide range of industries.
Operating a restaurant or bar isn’t easy. You’ve worked hard to build your business, and we can help you protect it with the right restaurant or bar insurance solution. Running a demanding restaurant business includes overseeing everything from stock and equipment to alcohol, staff supplies and your customers. There is always a risk that the customer could be injured at your establishment, or that a fire, break-in or other event could cause damage or result in the need to close your doors. A restaurant or bar insurance policy can help protect your livelihood by protecting you in case of an accident on your property and against happenings such as building damage, theft, alcohol liability and business interruption.
For instance, if you run a restaurant or a bar and you lose power causing the contents of your walk-in freezer to spoil, a food contamination policy would pay to replace the food. If you lease and there is a fire, water damage, collapse, or any other insurable loss, and you are forced to close your doors, business interruption coverage can cover the lost revenue during repairs, and, if you are the landlord and have tenants running a restaurant or bar, insurance will cover the loss of rent you are not collecting during rehabilitation.
Call us today to review restaurant or pub insurance options that are right for you.
From retail to wholesale, a single location to an international distributor, retail business owners can have peace of mind knowing their business is protected with the right retail insurance coverage. Our team of professional brokers can curate a custom plan to provide coverage for your property, stock, transit, liability, and contents.
For business owners who rent or lease their space, retail insurance can include commercial property coverage, coverage for cargo and goods-in-transit, general, umbrella and excess liability options, crime, and product recall coverage. Policies can also include mechanical system breakdowns that damage the store or contents, including HVAC systems, refrigeration, humidifiers or water filtration systems and business income coverage can cover lost revenue while your store is repaired or rebuilt.
Call us today to review retail insurance options that are right for you.
If you are in the Bed and Breakfast business you know just how demanding it is. It’s your home, but it’s also your business, and as such, a homeowner’s policy is not enough because it is geared toward personal property and not for business and a regular business insurance policy is not ideal because it doesn’t reflect the realities of your bed and breakfast business. You need a specialized B&B insurance package that is customized to your unique needs.
For over 30 years Orr Insurance has offered a specialized package for B&B owners at a reduced price that incorporates all the coverage of a homeowners policy plus business coverage for your operation and guests.
No matter how large or small your bed and breakfast business is, we can provide a tailored B&B insurance package that’s right for you including a single policy that covers both your home and your business and a flexible deductible and discount program tailored to your individual budget and circumstances. Your B&B insurance policy includes protection for your home and personal contents, liability insurance to protect you from the unexpected, protection against loss of business income in the event of physical damage or loss and liability for the safekeeping of your guests property.
The Trucking industry is constantly evolving to meet the needs of Canadian business. That’s why you need an insurance broker that understands your business. With Orr Insurance & Investment you get a trucking expert who is knowledgeable about the changes to your industry and knows how to best tailor your policy to meet your needs. We understand that your business is continually changing and growing to meet the demands of your customers. Your trucking insurance can be customized and updated to change with your company as it evolves.
At Orr Insurance & Investment we offer a wide range of highly specialized trucking insurance including short-haul, mid-haul, long-haul, fleet insurance, warehouse operations, trucking owners and operators, sand and gravel, steel hauling, and heavy duty truck repair. You get the best protection from a transportation insurance policy that properly reflects your unique business.
Contact us today to talk to one of our brokers who specialize in providing coverage to protect your unique trucking business.
Are you a personal trainer or a fitness or sports instructor? Do you organize amateur sports league or sporting events? If so your focus is likely helping people be the best they can be. But what about keeping your business fit and healthy? Accidents happen when you’re least expecting them. If a client tears a muscle in a dance class you are leading, or trips over gym equipment and twists their ankle, they could decide to take legal action, leaving you in a vulnerable situation.
The most common types of insurance policies provided for sports and fitness professionals are commercial general liability insurance which covers costs associated with liability claims such as client injuries or property damage, product liability insurance which provides coverage for liability claims associated with a product you sell or manufacture, professional liability insurance which covers costs associated with allegations of negligence, misconduct, or failure to deliver a service as promised, and cyber liability insurance which is critical for sports and fitness professionals providing online services and storing client information.
If you’re employed by a company, it’s worth checking out the personal trainer insurance already in place for you. If you work for yourself – and especially if you employ other people – it’s likely you’re in need of a sports and fitness insurance policy.
Whether you are a personal trainer, own a gym or other fitness facility, offer fitness classes, hire instructors, cleaners, receptionists or anyone else, you need to ensure you and your business are properly covered. Talk to your Orr Insurance & Investment broker today to learn more about Fitness/Gym Insurance and Personal Trainer Insurance.
If you own your own spa or salon business, you know how demanding it is. We recognize that the beauty service industry is specialized and unique. The wide range of services that are provided combined with the individual needs of beauty professionals makes finding a specific insurance policy that protects your business is critical. Whether you offer hairdressing, esthetician services, reflexology/aromatherapy, relaxation massage, tanning or a combination of these, we can tailor a spa and salon insurance package that is right for your business. Our focus is to provide peace of mind to Hair Stylists, Estheticians, Nail Technicians, Laser and IPL Technicians, Electrologists and Beauty Salons/Spa owners so that you can focus on serving your clients.
Contact your Orr Insurance & Investment Broker today to find a Spa and Salon Insurance solution that is right for you
Despite good intentions, non-profit organizations and charities are not immune to potential claims or lawsuits related to professional activities and business operations. Non-profit insurance is specifically designed to protect non-profits and charities against claims alleging bodily injury, fiduciary liability and professional malpractice.
Do non-profit organizations need insurance? The answer is yes. There are elements of non-profit organizations and charities that make them susceptible to claims and lawsuits. You need insurance if:
You have an office space, or you visit your client’s office space or homeYou have staff and volunteers who conduct business off-siteYour work involves collaboration with third-parties, including employees, volunteers, vulnerable persons, and vendorsYou host special eventsYou store important or confidential dataYou, your staff, or your volunteers provide advice or offer servicesYour business has a board or advisoryEach non-profit or charity organization is unique, and as such, the coverage required for your business is unique. Contact your Orr Insurance & Investment broker today to discuss your options and ensure your business is protected.
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