What to consider when running a business from home

Working from home is a rewarding way to earn a living. The benefits are obvious: no noisy office, zero commute, and a more flexible schedule. But it’s important to remember that running a home business is just that – a business. And it can be important to keep that separate from your home life. Not just in terms of your living-room-slash-workspace, but also in terms of your insurance cover.

Many business owners working from home often feel that their business operations, contents and tools are fully covered under home and contents insurances policies. But the reality is they might need specific insurance to cover their business. Explore when you might need specific business cover.

What are your home business’ insurance requirements?

Knowing what type of cover you need for your home business can be tricky. The first step is to determine everything for which you’ll need cover. Consider the following questions:

• Will the business supply, manufacture or create a product?
• Are you using any vehicles in the business for any purpose?
• What electronic equipment will be used?
• Do you offer a professional service and will business visitors come to the house?
• Will you be storing business stock at home?

There may be local government rules and regulations for operating a business from home, including health and safety regulations, such as the use of home kitchens – so be sure to familiarise yourself with the relevant regulations in your area. Either way, your home insurance might not cover your business operations, so you may need business insurance to help.

Get an insurance quote for your home business

Understanding the types of business insurance

Public and Products Liability

If you have customers or suppliers visiting your home, this insurance offers cover against the small but significant risk that you could be found liable for someone getting injured on your premises. If you have clients regularly visiting, it’s important to consider Public Liability cover in case of an accident and injury in your home. A loose cable, damaged light fixture or uneven surface can result in an injury claim.

Additionally, Products Liability can cover your business in the event the products you produce cause food poisoning, sickness or harm. GIO Public Liability Insurance includes Products Liability cover as standard.

Property Damage cover

If you store contents at home that you use for your business, you’ll need to consider covering accidental loss of, or damage to the contents, stock and specified items occurring at the premises.

Personal Injury Insurance

This can help you cover the medical bills, loss of income or other costs by paying out a lump sum for specific accidental injuries. This is particularly important for business owners who are not covered by workers compensation.

Portable and Valuable Items

Do you need to travel away from home for a client meeting? You may need coverage for accidental loss of, or damage to various portable items, including a laptop or mobile phone.

Business Interruption Insurance

This could cover a reduction in your business turnover as a result of loss or damage by an insured event, triggered by any of the following cover sections: property damage, theft, glass, money, portable and valuable items or goods in transit.

Many of these insurances can be tailored around your specific business needs, so it’s worth investigating a little further to determine the right level of insurance for your business. To find out more about home business insurance options, call GIO now on 13 10 10 (check our contact hours) and know your business is covered.

Insurance issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as GIO. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement before making a decision about this insurance. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.