Tag : Business Insurance

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The business of protection

The business of protection

Every business has a lifecycle; from its early development through to start-up, expansion and, hopefully, maturity and exit. At any stage, though, it’s important to consider how key assets or loans are protected in the event that something risks the ability to continue trading.

Key person protection
Perhaps the greatest asset of a business is its people. Despite this, Legal & General’s latest ‘State of the Nation’s Small and Medium Enterprises’ research found that more than half of the UK’s small businesses think they would cease trading in less than a year if a key employee died or became unable to work. This stark figure highlights the importance of protecting the people responsible for the continuing success or growth of the business.

If your business relies on certain employees, it’s important to arrange protection against the financial loss caused by their death or serious illness.

An insurance policy often referred to as Key Person Insurance can be taken out on the life or health of such an employee. This may be appropriate where that individual’s knowledge, work, or overall contribution is considered uniquely valuable to the company. It can cover the costs or losses that may be caused by the loss of that person.

Business loan protection
After the initial whirlwind of setting up a business passes and thoughts turn to growth, the business owners might choose to borrow money to fund its expansion. In fact, the research from Legal and General shows two thirds of businesses have some form of borrowing.

The most common type of borrowing taken out over £50,000 is for business loans, overdrafts and Directors Loan accounts.

Most types of business loans can be protected with a policy that provides a lump sum to cover loans and other credit facilities if a business owner dies, or in some cases becomes seriously ill (if critical illness cover is included).

Share protection
Once a business is more established, a share protection policy might be appropriate because it can help cover the value of an owner’s share of a business. If an owner dies or is diagnosed with a critical illness, share protection written in trust can provide the other business owners with enough cash to buy out the shares and continue to run the business.

Whether you’re just starting up, or looking to expand your business, we can advise on a range of business protection options that might be suitable. Please get in touch.

Business Protection

Surviving the loss of a key person

Surviving the loss of a key person

If something happened to you, your co-owners or employees, could your business survive?

According to research by Legal and General, if a business suffered the loss of a key person:
• 40% of businesses would cease trading in less than a year of the death or serious illness of a key person
• 63% of sole traders would cease to trade immediately
• 46% of new businesses (less than two years old) would cease to trade immediately

The loss of a key person within a small or medium-sized business can cause unexpected costs and disruption. Not only would the business have to fund the cost of recruiting and training a replacement, but it would also risk suffering from a:
• loss of profits
• loss of important business contacts
• loss of knowledge and expertise
• Customers and suppliers losing confidence in the business

 

Business protection insurance can help mitigate or even avoid these risks altogether
As a business owner, you should know there are three main types of business protection: Key Person Insurance, Shareholder Protection Insurance and Business Loan Protection.
• Key Person Insurance – provides a lump sum to the business on the death of an important member of the business.
• Shareholder Protection Insurance – provides a lump sum that will allow remaining shareholders to buy the shares of a deceased shareholder.
• Business Loan Protection – provides a lump sum to help a business pay any outstanding business loans.

Deciding on the right type of cover depends on the circumstances involved and the events the business wants to insure the key person against.

People are the biggest asset to any business and Business Protection Insurance is designed to keep your business trading should the worst happen.

For further information or advice on setting up a business protection policy please get in touch.

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Do you run your own business?

Do you run your own business?

If you do, you probably have one or more key employees that are integral to its success. They may even possess the skills, knowledge, experience or leadership that makes a vital difference to your bottom line.

But have you considered what would happen if they suddenly died, or suffered a critical illness that forced them to be absent from work for a long period of time? If the unexpected happened, it could pose a serious risk to your business, so make sure you have the relevant safety nets in place to avoid any financial difficulty.

Protect the most important assets
You may have covered the tangible assets of your business, but have you protected the most important assets: the people that directly contribute to your profits?

Key Person Protection is a simple way for you to insure your business against the losses you might suffer as a result of the death or critical illness of a key individual.

To find out more about our full range of Business Protection products, please get in touch.