Considering Employment Practices Liability Insurance

The old adage, “You can't please everybody,” is never more applicable than when you own a business and have employees. No matter how fair you are or how safe and supportive a corporate environment you try to cultivate, there will always be employees who do not like your processes, management style, or environment. Some may even accuse you of grievous, illegal violations and take you to court over them. Employment practices liability insurance protects you against various claims that an existing or former employee can bring against you—whether they’re found true or false.
How it Works

When a claim of wrongdoing is levied against you or any of the company’s directors, officers, or other employees, it’s likely you’ll want to defend yourself, your business, your directors or employees against it. Doing so will require that you hire an attorney and go to trial or an arbitrator. This can be extremely expensive and, with the possibility of multiple appeals, could cost more than you can afford even before an assessment of guilt or innocence is ever made. Employment practices liability insurance can help pay for the costs of defending yourself, your company, your directors or employees against the claim.
What’s covered under Employment Practices Liability Insurance?
There are many situations that require defense that can be covered by employment practices liability insurance, including claims of:

• Discrimination
• Sexual harassment
• Wrongful termination
• Civil rights abuses

What is not Covered

Employment practices liability insurance may not cover claims that fall under COBRA, ERISA or the Americans with Disabilities Act when reasonable accommodation must be provided but weren’t. It also may not cover a contractor’s accusation of a breach of contract or employment.

Every business, large or small, that has employees can face claims from past or current workers. Employment practices liability insurance helps make sure that you can defend your company against these claims with minimal expense. When you're ready to look at this important Ohio business insurance coverage, give us a call at 614-221-1500.

Businesses Need Flood Insurance Too

Blogs and consumer-focused magazines write frequently about how homeowners need to find out if they are in a flood zone because home insurance doesn’t cover damages caused by a flood—but do you know what other kind of insurance doesn’t cover flood damage? Commercial property insurance.

Where is Your Business Located?
Business property may be different from residential property in a lot of ways, but when it comes to floods, they have many similarities. A business may be located in a flood zone just as a home can be. And if your business operates out of your home, then it shares the same exposure to flood risks as your home does. Either way, it needs a specialized policy that provides structure and contents protection against the damages that a flood can cause.

To determine if you need food coverage, you should find out if your business, whether home or not, is located in a flood zone by visiting floodsmart.gov.

Leasers, Be Ware!
Even if you don’t own the building your business operates out of, you still may need flood insurance in order to protect yourself from the financial damages of losing your computer, equipment, supplies and stock after a storm surge or other flood. So whether you operate your business out of a commercial building that you lease or out of your rented home or apartment, you are still exposed to flood risks. Your landlord may not tell you that you are in a flood zone, so you need to check your area’s zoning information to find out whether you are.

You’ve invested countless hours and dollars into your business. A commercial flood insurance policy protects that investment and may even help you stay afloat while you are dealing with the after-effects of a flood. Give us a call and allow us to look over your whole commercial insurance plan and identify any gaps, including from the lack of a commercial flood insurance policy.Call us today at 614-221-1500 or get a free Ohio business insurance quote.