coverage of business plan

11.4 The Business Plan

Learning objectives.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Describe the different purposes of a business plan
• Describe and develop the components of a brief business plan
• Describe and develop the components of a full business plan

Unlike the brief or lean formats introduced so far, the business plan is a formal document used for the long-range planning of a company’s operation. It typically includes background information, financial information, and a summary of the business. Investors nearly always request a formal business plan because it is an integral part of their evaluation of whether to invest in a company. Although nothing in business is permanent, a business plan typically has components that are more “set in stone” than a business model canvas , which is more commonly used as a first step in the planning process and throughout the early stages of a nascent business. A business plan is likely to describe the business and industry, market strategies, sales potential, and competitive analysis, as well as the company’s long-term goals and objectives. An in-depth formal business plan would follow at later stages after various iterations to business model canvases. The business plan usually projects financial data over a three-year period and is typically required by banks or other investors to secure funding. The business plan is a roadmap for the company to follow over multiple years.

Some entrepreneurs prefer to use the canvas process instead of the business plan, whereas others use a shorter version of the business plan, submitting it to investors after several iterations. There are also entrepreneurs who use the business plan earlier in the entrepreneurial process, either preceding or concurrently with a canvas. For instance, Chris Guillebeau has a one-page business plan template in his book The $100 Startup . 48 His version is basically an extension of a napkin sketch without the detail of a full business plan. As you progress, you can also consider a brief business plan (about two pages)—if you want to support a rapid business launch—and/or a standard business plan.

As with many aspects of entrepreneurship, there are no clear hard and fast rules to achieving entrepreneurial success. You may encounter different people who want different things (canvas, summary, full business plan), and you also have flexibility in following whatever tool works best for you. Like the canvas, the various versions of the business plan are tools that will aid you in your entrepreneurial endeavor.

Business Plan Overview

Most business plans have several distinct sections ( Figure 11.16 ). The business plan can range from a few pages to twenty-five pages or more, depending on the purpose and the intended audience. For our discussion, we’ll describe a brief business plan and a standard business plan. If you are able to successfully design a business model canvas, then you will have the structure for developing a clear business plan that you can submit for financial consideration.

Both types of business plans aim at providing a picture and roadmap to follow from conception to creation. If you opt for the brief business plan, you will focus primarily on articulating a big-picture overview of your business concept.

The full business plan is aimed at executing the vision concept, dealing with the proverbial devil in the details. Developing a full business plan will assist those of you who need a more detailed and structured roadmap, or those of you with little to no background in business. The business planning process includes the business model, a feasibility analysis, and a full business plan, which we will discuss later in this section. Next, we explore how a business plan can meet several different needs.

Purposes of a Business Plan

A business plan can serve many different purposes—some internal, others external. As we discussed previously, you can use a business plan as an internal early planning device, an extension of a napkin sketch, and as a follow-up to one of the canvas tools. A business plan can be an organizational roadmap , that is, an internal planning tool and working plan that you can apply to your business in order to reach your desired goals over the course of several years. The business plan should be written by the owners of the venture, since it forces a firsthand examination of the business operations and allows them to focus on areas that need improvement.

Refer to the business venture throughout the document. Generally speaking, a business plan should not be written in the first person.

A major external purpose for the business plan is as an investment tool that outlines financial projections, becoming a document designed to attract investors. In many instances, a business plan can complement a formal investor’s pitch. In this context, the business plan is a presentation plan, intended for an outside audience that may or may not be familiar with your industry, your business, and your competitors.

You can also use your business plan as a contingency plan by outlining some “what-if” scenarios and exploring how you might respond if these scenarios unfold. Pretty Young Professional launched in November 2010 as an online resource to guide an emerging generation of female leaders. The site focused on recent female college graduates and current students searching for professional roles and those in their first professional roles. It was founded by four friends who were coworkers at the global consultancy firm McKinsey. But after positions and equity were decided among them, fundamental differences of opinion about the direction of the business emerged between two factions, according to the cofounder and former CEO Kathryn Minshew . “I think, naively, we assumed that if we kicked the can down the road on some of those things, we’d be able to sort them out,” Minshew said. Minshew went on to found a different professional site, The Muse , and took much of the editorial team of Pretty Young Professional with her. 49 Whereas greater planning potentially could have prevented the early demise of Pretty Young Professional, a change in planning led to overnight success for Joshua Esnard and The Cut Buddy team. Esnard invented and patented the plastic hair template that he was selling online out of his Fort Lauderdale garage while working a full-time job at Broward College and running a side business. Esnard had hundreds of boxes of Cut Buddies sitting in his home when he changed his marketing plan to enlist companies specializing in making videos go viral. It worked so well that a promotional video for the product garnered 8 million views in hours. The Cut Buddy sold over 4,000 products in a few hours when Esnard only had hundreds remaining. Demand greatly exceeded his supply, so Esnard had to scramble to increase manufacturing and offered customers two-for-one deals to make up for delays. This led to selling 55,000 units, generating $700,000 in sales in 2017. 50 After appearing on Shark Tank and landing a deal with Daymond John that gave the “shark” a 20-percent equity stake in return for $300,000, The Cut Buddy has added new distribution channels to include retail sales along with online commerce. Changing one aspect of a business plan—the marketing plan—yielded success for The Cut Buddy.

Link to Learning

Watch this video of Cut Buddy’s founder, Joshua Esnard, telling his company’s story to learn more.

If you opt for the brief business plan, you will focus primarily on articulating a big-picture overview of your business concept. This version is used to interest potential investors, employees, and other stakeholders, and will include a financial summary “box,” but it must have a disclaimer, and the founder/entrepreneur may need to have the people who receive it sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) . The full business plan is aimed at executing the vision concept, providing supporting details, and would be required by financial institutions and others as they formally become stakeholders in the venture. Both are aimed at providing a picture and roadmap to go from conception to creation.

Types of Business Plans

The brief business plan is similar to an extended executive summary from the full business plan. This concise document provides a broad overview of your entrepreneurial concept, your team members, how and why you will execute on your plans, and why you are the ones to do so. You can think of a brief business plan as a scene setter or—since we began this chapter with a film reference—as a trailer to the full movie. The brief business plan is the commercial equivalent to a trailer for Field of Dreams , whereas the full plan is the full-length movie equivalent.

Brief Business Plan or Executive Summary

As the name implies, the brief business plan or executive summary summarizes key elements of the entire business plan, such as the business concept, financial features, and current business position. The executive summary version of the business plan is your opportunity to broadly articulate the overall concept and vision of the company for yourself, for prospective investors, and for current and future employees.

A typical executive summary is generally no longer than a page, but because the brief business plan is essentially an extended executive summary, the executive summary section is vital. This is the “ask” to an investor. You should begin by clearly stating what you are asking for in the summary.

In the business concept phase, you’ll describe the business, its product, and its markets. Describe the customer segment it serves and why your company will hold a competitive advantage. This section may align roughly with the customer segments and value-proposition segments of a canvas.

Next, highlight the important financial features, including sales, profits, cash flows, and return on investment. Like the financial portion of a feasibility analysis, the financial analysis component of a business plan may typically include items like a twelve-month profit and loss projection, a three- or four-year profit and loss projection, a cash-flow projection, a projected balance sheet, and a breakeven calculation. You can explore a feasibility study and financial projections in more depth in the formal business plan. Here, you want to focus on the big picture of your numbers and what they mean.

The current business position section can furnish relevant information about you and your team members and the company at large. This is your opportunity to tell the story of how you formed the company, to describe its legal status (form of operation), and to list the principal players. In one part of the extended executive summary, you can cover your reasons for starting the business: Here is an opportunity to clearly define the needs you think you can meet and perhaps get into the pains and gains of customers. You also can provide a summary of the overall strategic direction in which you intend to take the company. Describe the company’s mission, vision, goals and objectives, overall business model, and value proposition.

Rice University’s Student Business Plan Competition, one of the largest and overall best-regarded graduate school business-plan competitions (see Telling Your Entrepreneurial Story and Pitching the Idea ), requires an executive summary of up to five pages to apply. 51 , 52 Its suggested sections are shown in Table 11.2 .

Are You Ready?

Create a brief business plan.

Fill out a canvas of your choosing for a well-known startup: Uber, Netflix, Dropbox, Etsy, Airbnb, Bird/Lime, Warby Parker, or any of the companies featured throughout this chapter or one of your choice. Then create a brief business plan for that business. See if you can find a version of the company’s actual executive summary, business plan, or canvas. Compare and contrast your vision with what the company has articulated.

• These companies are well established but is there a component of what you charted that you would advise the company to change to ensure future viability?
• Map out a contingency plan for a “what-if” scenario if one key aspect of the company or the environment it operates in were drastically is altered?

Full Business Plan

Even full business plans can vary in length, scale, and scope. Rice University sets a ten-page cap on business plans submitted for the full competition. The IndUS Entrepreneurs , one of the largest global networks of entrepreneurs, also holds business plan competitions for students through its Tie Young Entrepreneurs program. In contrast, business plans submitted for that competition can usually be up to twenty-five pages. These are just two examples. Some components may differ slightly; common elements are typically found in a formal business plan outline. The next section will provide sample components of a full business plan for a fictional business.

Executive Summary

The executive summary should provide an overview of your business with key points and issues. Because the summary is intended to summarize the entire document, it is most helpful to write this section last, even though it comes first in sequence. The writing in this section should be especially concise. Readers should be able to understand your needs and capabilities at first glance. The section should tell the reader what you want and your “ask” should be explicitly stated in the summary.

Describe your business, its product or service, and the intended customers. Explain what will be sold, who it will be sold to, and what competitive advantages the business has. Table 11.3 shows a sample executive summary for the fictional company La Vida Lola.

Business Description

This section describes the industry, your product, and the business and success factors. It should provide a current outlook as well as future trends and developments. You also should address your company’s mission, vision, goals, and objectives. Summarize your overall strategic direction, your reasons for starting the business, a description of your products and services, your business model, and your company’s value proposition. Consider including the Standard Industrial Classification/North American Industry Classification System (SIC/NAICS) code to specify the industry and insure correct identification. The industry extends beyond where the business is located and operates, and should include national and global dynamics. Table 11.4 shows a sample business description for La Vida Lola.

Industry Analysis and Market Strategies

Here you should define your market in terms of size, structure, growth prospects, trends, and sales potential. You’ll want to include your TAM and forecast the SAM . (Both these terms are discussed in Conducting a Feasibility Analysis .) This is a place to address market segmentation strategies by geography, customer attributes, or product orientation. Describe your positioning relative to your competitors’ in terms of pricing, distribution, promotion plan, and sales potential. Table 11.5 shows an example industry analysis and market strategy for La Vida Lola.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis is a statement of the business strategy as it relates to the competition. You want to be able to identify who are your major competitors and assess what are their market shares, markets served, strategies employed, and expected response to entry? You likely want to conduct a classic SWOT analysis (Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats) and complete a competitive-strength grid or competitive matrix. Outline your company’s competitive strengths relative to those of the competition in regard to product, distribution, pricing, promotion, and advertising. What are your company’s competitive advantages and their likely impacts on its success? The key is to construct it properly for the relevant features/benefits (by weight, according to customers) and how the startup compares to incumbents. The competitive matrix should show clearly how and why the startup has a clear (if not currently measurable) competitive advantage. Some common features in the example include price, benefits, quality, type of features, locations, and distribution/sales. Sample templates are shown in Figure 11.17 and Figure 11.18 . A competitive analysis helps you create a marketing strategy that will identify assets or skills that your competitors are lacking so you can plan to fill those gaps, giving you a distinct competitive advantage. When creating a competitor analysis, it is important to focus on the key features and elements that matter to customers, rather than focusing too heavily on the entrepreneur’s idea and desires.

Operations and Management Plan

In this section, outline how you will manage your company. Describe its organizational structure. Here you can address the form of ownership and, if warranted, include an organizational chart/structure. Highlight the backgrounds, experiences, qualifications, areas of expertise, and roles of members of the management team. This is also the place to mention any other stakeholders, such as a board of directors or advisory board(s), and their relevant relationship to the founder, experience and value to help make the venture successful, and professional service firms providing management support, such as accounting services and legal counsel.

Table 11.6 shows a sample operations and management plan for La Vida Lola.

Marketing Plan

Here you should outline and describe an effective overall marketing strategy for your venture, providing details regarding pricing, promotion, advertising, distribution, media usage, public relations, and a digital presence. Fully describe your sales management plan and the composition of your sales force, along with a comprehensive and detailed budget for the marketing plan. Table 11.7 shows a sample marketing plan for La Vida Lola.

Financial Plan

A financial plan seeks to forecast revenue and expenses; project a financial narrative; and estimate project costs, valuations, and cash flow projections. This section should present an accurate, realistic, and achievable financial plan for your venture (see Entrepreneurial Finance and Accounting for detailed discussions about conducting these projections). Include sales forecasts and income projections, pro forma financial statements ( Building the Entrepreneurial Dream Team , a breakeven analysis, and a capital budget. Identify your possible sources of financing (discussed in Conducting a Feasibility Analysis ). Figure 11.19 shows a template of cash-flow needs for La Vida Lola.

Entrepreneur In Action

Laughing man coffee.

Hugh Jackman ( Figure 11.20 ) may best be known for portraying a comic-book superhero who used his mutant abilities to protect the world from villains. But the Wolverine actor is also working to make the planet a better place for real, not through adamantium claws but through social entrepreneurship.

A love of java jolted Jackman into action in 2009, when he traveled to Ethiopia with a Christian humanitarian group to shoot a documentary about the impact of fair-trade certification on coffee growers there. He decided to launch a business and follow in the footsteps of the late Paul Newman, another famous actor turned philanthropist via food ventures.

Jackman launched Laughing Man Coffee two years later; he sold the line to Keurig in 2015. One Laughing Man Coffee café in New York continues to operate independently, investing its proceeds into charitable programs that support better housing, health, and educational initiatives within fair-trade farming communities. 55 Although the New York location is the only café, the coffee brand is still distributed, with Keurig donating an undisclosed portion of Laughing Man proceeds to those causes (whereas Jackman donates all his profits). The company initially donated its profits to World Vision, the Christian humanitarian group Jackman accompanied in 2009. In 2017, it created the Laughing Man Foundation to be more active with its money management and distribution.

• You be the entrepreneur. If you were Jackman, would you have sold the company to Keurig? Why or why not?
• Would you have started the Laughing Man Foundation?
• What else can Jackman do to aid fair-trade practices for coffee growers?

What Can You Do?

Textbooks for change.

Founded in 2014, Textbooks for Change uses a cross-compensation model, in which one customer segment pays for a product or service, and the profit from that revenue is used to provide the same product or service to another, underserved segment. Textbooks for Change partners with student organizations to collect used college textbooks, some of which are re-sold while others are donated to students in need at underserved universities across the globe. The organization has reused or recycled 250,000 textbooks, providing 220,000 students with access through seven campus partners in East Africa. This B-corp social enterprise tackles a problem and offers a solution that is directly relevant to college students like yourself. Have you observed a problem on your college campus or other campuses that is not being served properly? Could it result in a social enterprise?

Work It Out

Franchisee set out.

A franchisee of East Coast Wings, a chain with dozens of restaurants in the United States, has decided to part ways with the chain. The new store will feature the same basic sports-bar-and-restaurant concept and serve the same basic foods: chicken wings, burgers, sandwiches, and the like. The new restaurant can’t rely on the same distributors and suppliers. A new business plan is needed.

• What steps should the new restaurant take to create a new business plan?
• Should it attempt to serve the same customers? Why or why not?

This New York Times video, “An Unlikely Business Plan,” describes entrepreneurial resurgence in Detroit, Michigan.

• 48 Chris Guillebeau. The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future . New York: Crown Business/Random House, 2012.
• 49 Jonathan Chan. “What These 4 Startup Case Studies Can Teach You about Failure.” Foundr.com . July 12, 2015. https://foundr.com/4-startup-case-studies-failure/
• 50 Amy Feldman. “Inventor of the Cut Buddy Paid YouTubers to Spark Sales. He Wasn’t Ready for a Video to Go Viral.” Forbes. February 15, 2017. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestreptalks/2017/02/15/inventor-of-the-cut-buddy-paid-youtubers-to-spark-sales-he-wasnt-ready-for-a-video-to-go-viral/#3eb540ce798a
• 51 Jennifer Post. “National Business Plan Competitions for Entrepreneurs.” Business News Daily . August 30, 2018. https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6902-business-plan-competitions-entrepreneurs.html
• 52 “Rice Business Plan Competition, Eligibility Criteria and How to Apply.” Rice Business Plan Competition . March 2020. https://rbpc.rice.edu/sites/g/files/bxs806/f/2020%20RBPC%20Eligibility%20Criteria%20and%20How%20to%20Apply_23Oct19.pdf
• 53 “Rice Business Plan Competition, Eligibility Criteria and How to Apply.” Rice Business Plan Competition. March 2020. https://rbpc.rice.edu/sites/g/files/bxs806/f/2020%20RBPC%20Eligibility%20Criteria%20and%20How%20to%20Apply_23Oct19.pdf; Based on 2019 RBPC Competition Rules and Format April 4–6, 2019. https://rbpc.rice.edu/sites/g/files/bxs806/f/2019-RBPC-Competition-Rules%20-Format.pdf
• 54 Foodstart. http://foodstart.com
• 55 “Hugh Jackman Journey to Starting a Social Enterprise Coffee Company.” Giving Compass. April 8, 2018. https://givingcompass.org/article/hugh-jackman-journey-to-starting-a-social-enterprise-coffee-company/

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/entrepreneurship/pages/1-introduction

• Authors: Michael Laverty, Chris Littel
• Publisher/website: OpenStax
• Book title: Entrepreneurship
• Publication date: Jan 16, 2020
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Book URL: https://openstax.org/books/entrepreneurship/pages/1-introduction
• Section URL: https://openstax.org/books/entrepreneurship/pages/11-4-the-business-plan

© Jan 4, 2024 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.

• Search Search Please fill out this field.

Types of Business Insurance

How to choose the right business insurance plan, how to get business insurance.

• Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

• Business Insurance

Types of Business Insurance Plans: How to Decide Which Is Right for You

Insurance can help you protect your business from a variety of risks. Some of the most common types of business insurance plans include:

• General liability insurance
• Commercial property insurance
• Business income insurance
• Professional liability insurance
• Workers’ compensation insurance
• Employment practices liability insurance
• Product liability insurance
• Commercial auto insurance
• Commercial umbrella insurance
• Cybersecurity insurance

Understanding how each type of business insurance (also referred to as commercial insurance ) works can help you determine which coverage options you may need.

Key Takeaways

• Business insurance is designed to protect business owners from financial losses associated with a range of covered events.
• Different types include general liability, commercial property, and workers’ compensation insurance.
• Like other types of insurance, business insurance can require you to pay premiums as well as deductibles.
• There are several different varieties of business insurance that you could use to protect your business.
• Purchasing a package policy that includes several different types of coverage is one way to save money on business insurance.

The figures listed above represent the average monthly cost of various small business insurance products, according to Insureon, an online marketplace for small business insurance. The actual cost of insuring a small business may be lower or higher, depending on your unique situation and needs.

1. General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance provides liability coverage if your business is sued. This type of coverage is fairly comprehensive and can protect you against claims stemming from a number of different circumstances.

What risks does it protect against? General liability insurance protects you against lawsuits filed by people outside of your company, such as suppliers or customers.

What costs does it cover? This type of policy can cover the costs of a lawsuit, including settlements paid to claimants and medical expenses related to personal injury claims.

Forgoing general liability insurance could leave your business open to significant losses if you’re sued.

2. Commercial Property Insurance

Commercial property insurance protects your business property against a wide variety of losses. For example, if your property is damaged as a result of a natural disaster or civil unrest, your policy could pay to repair or replace affected assets. A civil authority provision addresses business closures as a result of government actions after a disaster or life-threatening event.

What risks does it protect against? Commercial property insurance covers damage resulting from fire, smoke, wind, hail, civil disobedience, and vandalism .

3. Business Income Insurance

Business income insurance is a type of coverage designed to supplement commercial property insurance. This kind of policy protects you if your business income is interrupted due to property damage .

What risks does it protect against? Business income insurance protects you against missing income associated with the slowdown or suspension of business resulting from damage to property.

What costs does it cover? This type of policy helps to replace lost income from operations.

4. Professional Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurance is liability coverage for losses resulting from perceived mistakes that you made in doing your job. You may purchase this type of insurance to supplement any events not covered by a general liability policy.

What risks does it protect against? Professional liability insurance can protect against lawsuits that may arise as a result of negligence, malpractice , or errors.

What costs does it cover? This type of policy can pay out benefits to cover lawsuit settlements and legal fees.

5. Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Workers’ compensation insurance is a type of liability coverage that protects your business if one of your employees gets injured on the job. State law can determine what types of businesses are required to have workers’ compensation coverage.

What risks does it protect against? Workers’ compensation insurance is designed to cover on-the-job injuries.

What costs does it cover? This type of policy can pay medical bills for injured employees and provide them with income replacement until they’re able to return to work.

6. Employment Practices Liability Insurance

Employment practices liability insurance is intended to protect your business from lawsuits stemming from claims relating to unlawful hiring or employment practices. If you’re sued, your policy could pay legal fees or settlements to claimants.

What risks does it protect against? Employment practices liability insurance can cover a range of situations, including lawsuits filed in connection with wrongful termination , discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation.

What costs does it cover? This type of policy can cover legal fees and settlements.

7. Product Liability Insurance

Product liability insurance protects businesses that manufacture or produce tangible products. Specifically, this coverage insures against claims for defective products that cause injury or bodily harm.

What risks does it protect against? Product liability insurance protects your business when someone sues you over a defective product that has caused injury, bodily harm, or death.

8. Commercial Auto Insurance

Commercial auto insurance works similarly to personal car insurance, but it’s designed to protect business vehicles. The type of coverage you need and the coverage limits required can vary from state to state.

What risks does it protect against? Commercial auto insurance protects you against damage related to accidents, vandalism, or theft of company vehicles.

What costs does it cover? This type of policy can cover repair costs, medical bills, legal fees, and settlements.

9. Commercial Umbrella Insurance

Commercial umbrella insurance is designed to cover risks not covered by other types of business insurance. For example, if you’re sued and you’ve maxed out the coverage limits of your general liability policy, an umbrella policy could help to fill the gaps.

What risks does it protect against? Commercial umbrella insurance can help you to minimize financial losses stemming from lawsuit settlements that exceed other business insurance coverage limits. 

What costs does it cover? This type of policy covers legal fees and settlements. 

10. Cyber Liability Insurance

Cyber liability insurance, also known as cybersecurity insurance, is designed to cover liability and property losses relating to the electronic transfer or sharing of data. This type of insurance is becoming increasingly important as more businesses are targeted by hackers and identity thieves online.

What risks does it protect against? Cybersecurity insurance can protect your business if any electronic or digital data is stolen or otherwise compromised.

What costs does it cover? This type of policy can provide liability protection related to lawsuits or cover the cost of upgrading or restoring cybersecurity systems.

Choosing the right business insurance is important because you don’t want to leave certain aspects of your business unprotected or overpay for coverage. Asking the right questions can help you better evaluate your needs.

Some of the most important questions to answer include:

• How many employees does the business have?
• Does the business have a physical location, or does it operate online only?
• Is there any business equipment that will need to be insured?
• What types of liability risks does the business face?
• Are there any vehicles that will need to be covered?
• What would happen if the business is interrupted by a natural disaster or another situation that’s beyond my control?
• Will I need insurance to cover special situations? For example, will it be necessary to buy key person insurance if I plan to sell or transfer the business to my heirs?

It’s also a good idea to weigh other factors when choosing insurance options. For example, you’ll likely need to think about how much liability coverage is appropriate or what type of premiums your business can afford to pay.

Also, consider what types of coverage may be required based on state law or the industry in which you operate. For example, individuals who work in financial services may be required to have professional liability insurance.

Joining a professional association in your field may allow you to unlock business insurance discounts.

If you’re ready to purchase business insurance, it helps to know what to expect. The process isn’t that different from buying other types of insurance. Here’s how to buy business insurance, step by step.

1. Assess Your Business Risk

The types of risk factors that affect your business can determine which types of business insurance you might need.

For example, say that you run an HVAC repair business. You have 10 employees, eight of whom drive work vans to customers’ homes or businesses. In that case, it would make sense to have a commercial automobile policy in place to insure those vehicles.

What if you have no employees and run your business solo? You may not need an auto policy if you drive your own vehicle for work and are covered by personal car insurance. And workers’ compensation coverage may not be necessary, either.

Looking at your business through the lens of risk can help you narrow the types of insurance coverage that may be appropriate and what you can do without.

2. Understand What’s Covered

By now, you should be familiar with the different types of business insurance. When putting together a policy, it’s helpful to know two things:

• What’s covered
• What’s excluded

You don’t want to be taken by surprise if you need to file a claim , only to find out that there’s a gap in your coverage. Reviewing the details of a business insurance policy with the help of an agent or broker can help you pinpoint any potential holes in your plan that could leave your business vulnerable.

3. Compare Quotes for Business Insurance

Many companies offer business insurance, and all of them price their policies differently. The main pricing considerations for business insurance include what you’ll pay in premiums and what you’ll shell out for a deductible , should you need to file a claim.

Providing as much information as possible about your business, including the number of employees, annual revenue, and value of business property, can help you get the most accurate insurance quotes.

Getting one quote is a good start, but it’s helpful to have other quotes to compare it with. At a minimum, it may be a good idea to get at least three quotes for business insurance so you have a better idea of the price range you’re working with.

If you’re buying multiple policies to cover different things, get quotes for each. You may want to take quotes for individual policies and compare them with pricing for bundled business insurance to see if bundling might save you any money.

When do I need business insurance?

Generally, you need to have business insurance if you’re concerned about the possibility of financial losses stemming from liability claims or other events. If you don’t have the proper insurance in place, you could take a sizable financial hit if you’re sued for damages. Business insurance may also be necessary if it’s mandated by law in the state where you operate.

Should I buy stand-alone policies or a bundled business insurance package?

If you only need one or two types of business insurance, then it could make sense to choose stand-alone policies. On the other hand, if you’re looking for more comprehensive coverage, then you may benefit more from purchasing a business insurance package or bundle. Buying bundled insurance potentially could be more cost-effective if you’re able to get multiple policies at discounted rates.

What types of business insurance would I need if I work from home?

Working from home doesn’t negate the need to have business insurance. At a minimum, it may be advisable to have general liability insurance in place. You also may want to purchase insurance to cover any business property that you use while working from home if it’s essential to your business operations.

Business insurance can be invaluable if you find yourself in a worst-case scenario and need to file a claim. Taking time to compare the different types of business insurance can help you determine which policy or policies are best suited to your needs. Once you know what coverage you need, you can take the next step and compare quotes from the best small business insurance companies .

Insureon. “ Product Liability Insurance .”

North Carolina Department of Insurance. “ Types of Insurance for Your Business: General Liability .”

U.S. Small Business Administration. “ Get Business Insurance: Six Common Types of Business Insurance .”

IRMI (International Risk Management Institute). “ Business Income Coverage (BIC) .”

North Carolina Department of Insurance. “ Workers Compensation .”

IRMI (International Risk Management Institute). “ Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) .”

North Carolina Department of Insurance. “ Types of Insurance for Your Business: Automobile .”

North Carolina Department of Insurance. “ Types of Insurance for Your Business: Excess and Umbrella .”

North Carolina Department of Insurance. “ Emerging Coverages: Cyber Liability Insurance ,” select “What might a Cyber Liability Insurance Policy cover for a business?”

• Terms of Service
• Editorial Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Your Privacy Choices

Insurance Business Plans

Auto insurance claims business plan.

CollisionSyzygy, Inc. is a generic claims administrator, establishing a Direct Repair Program network in the auto body repair industry between insurance companies and repair shops.

Business Support Insurance Business Plan

Ideal Business Support Services is an outsource provider of support services to Insurance Agents.

Insurance Agency Business Plan

Quaestor Services is a start-up sole proprietorship combining insurance product sales and small business bookkeeping services.

Insurance Company Business Plan

Acme Insurance is an ongoing business working as a regional insurance agency and real estate brokerage firm which markets and services personal insurance.

Personal Insurance Agent Business Plan

Plynthe Insurance is a startup independent brokerage offering a variety of personal, home, life, and disability insurance products from many different providers.

Video Documentation Service Business Plan

Safe Keeping is a start-up business offering video documentation of home or business belongings for customer's insurance purposes.

It’s common sense to have full insurance coverage. And it’s good business sense to have a complete business plan for your insurance related business. These free sample business plans will help you get starting writing a business plan for your business.

Tax Season Savings

Get 40% off LivePlan

The #1 rated business plan software

Transform Tax Season into Growth Season

Discover the world’s #1 plan building software

You are about to leave geico.com

When you click "Continue" you will be taken to a site owned by , not GEICO. GEICO has no control over their privacy practices and assumes no responsibility in connection with your use of their website. Any information that you provide directly to them is subject to the privacy policy posted on their website.

Business Insurance: Get a Quote Today

Business insurance, also known as commercial insurance, can help protect your business from unexpected expenses related to property damage, legal liability, workers' compensation, and more. Whether you are just starting out and shopping for a small business insurance or just looking for better rates or coverage, having the right insurance policy can make all the difference when you really need it. Help protect your business against financial risk with a business insurance policy that's right for you.

View our Business Insurance Products

Business Insurance Calculator

Getting business insurance can be tricky, but GEICO is here to help. Just answer a few short questions about your business and its insurance needs so we can help find the best policy or policies for you. Or, if you already know what you need, browse our entire line of business insurance policies.

If you wish to speak with a Spanish speaking insurance specialist, contact us at (866) 509-9444 , select option 7.

Please note:

Select option 2 to start. Followed by option 2 for new quotes, option 5 for all other products, and 3 for Commercial policies.

Colorado residents:

Select option 1 to start. Followed by option 2 for new quotes, option 5 for all other products, and 3 for Commercial policies.

Question 1 of 6

We can help protect you whether you're a local handyman, a family restaurant, or an accountant.

Question 2 of 6

Question 3 of 6.

A few examples are Personal Trainers, Real Estate Agents, and IT Professionals.

Question 4 of 6

A few examples are Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and Physical Therapists.

Question 5 of 6

Such as: taking your tools and supplies to a job site, delivering goods, transporting clients, or other business use with your car

Question 6 of 6

Phew, that wasn't so bad..

Sometimes businesses need more coverage than others. Based on what we have here, it looks like you could use:

Oh no. Looks like we took a wrong turn somewhere.

Based on your responses you may be interested in learning more about the below products. If there's nothing listed you can also visit geico.com for more information on other products.

Business Owners Policy (BOP)

If you have business property like contents, inventory, or a storefront a BOP policy may be best for you.

In addition to 3rd party liability coverage in the event of a claim, this policy combines:

• Damage to business property
• Defense costs
• Income loss, and more

General Liability Insurance

No matter where you work, your businesses should have liability insurance. This policy provides protection for your business in the event of a 3rd party claim for property damage, bodily injury, and lawsuits costs for covered losses.

If you're looking for additional coverage for:

• Product inventory
• Business materials

A Business Owners Policy (BOP) could be a better fit.

Professional Liability Insurance

If your business provides professional advice you'll want to add this coverage. Professional Liability covers negligence claims that could arise from your services, even if you haven't made a mistake.

Commercial Auto Insurance

If your company owns vehicles that are used as a part of your job, you'll need Commercial Auto Insurance.

Workers' Compensation Insurance

If you have employees you're required by law in most states to carry this coverage for an employee's medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation services that result from a workplace injury or illness.

Medical Malpractice Insurance

If you're a healthcare or wellness professional, protect yourself and your career with a Medical Malpractice policy.

Cyber Liability Insurance

Protects businesses from computer-related attacks, such as malware, phishing, ransomware or if a laptop with confidential information is stolen. To quote, call (800) 448-8244

Already know what you need? See all of our Business Insurance products.

Types of Business Insurance

GEICO offers a range of business insurance policies for almost any type of business, including liability coverage, commercial vehicle insurance, and even cyber liability. Browse our selection below to get more information about the business insurance that's right for you!

Two coverages you need, combined in a single policy. See why businesses trust GEICO to help them with their business insurance needs with coverage for:

• Bodily injury or property damage
• Defense costs for covered liability losses
• Business furniture and equipment

Start Quote

General Liability Insurance/CGL

CGL can help cover your business while performing normal operations. Coverages include:

• Physical injury liability
• Property damage liability
• Lawsuits costs for covered losses

From Personal Trainers to IT Consultants, you need Professional Liability Insurance (PL), also called Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance. This coverage protects you for:

• Mistakes or advice your company makes in business
• Legal defense costs
• Services completed

Workers' Compensation

This coverage is mandatory if your business has employees. Workers' comp covers a business' employees if they're injured at work. In general, policies cover:

• Medical expenses
• Rehabilitation expenses

Quick, easy, comprehensive coverage for groups and individuals working as Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), Registered Nurses, Optometrists, Physical Therapists, Yoga Instructors, Personal Trainers, Nursing Students, and other medical professionals. What's included:

• Protection against claims of negligence
• Defense counsel costs
• Professional reputation coverage

If the driver of a vehicle uses it for their job, work or business, you need a commercial policy. You may need commercial coverage if:

• The vehicle is used to transport goods or people
• The vehicle is used to perform a service
• Employees drive the vehicle

Protects businesses from computer-related attacks, such as malware, phishing, ransomware or if a laptop with confidential information on it is stolen. To quote, call (800) 448-8244

Business Insurance: Get the answers you're looking for.

• What's so important about business insurance? Business insurance covers the costs of property damage and liability claims. Without business insurance, you could pay exorbitant out-of-pocket costs for damages or claims against your enterprise.
• What does business insurance cover? There are multiple types of business insurance. What your policy covers will depend on the type of business you own and the coverage you choose. Generally, business insurance is designed to cover bodily injury or medical expenses, libel, slander, defending lawsuits, and settlements from court claims.
• What kind of business insurance do I need? General liability insurance is typically a good idea for most businesses. If you have a company car, commercial auto insurance is a necessity.

Important Information: If you currently have an active flood insurance policy, please call us for the most accurate quote at (800) 566-1575 .

If you don't currently have an active flood policy, click "Continue" to get a quote online.

GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. has partnered with to provide insurance products. When you click "Continue" you will be taken to their website, which is not owned or operated by GEICO. GEICO has no control over their privacy practices and assumes no responsibility in connection with your use of their website. Any information that you directly provide is subject to the privacy posted on their website.

Call (888) 395-1200 or log in to your current Homeowners , Renters , or Condo policy to review your policy and contact a customer service agent to discuss your jewelry insurance options.

The above is meant as general information and as general policy descriptions to help you understand the different types of coverages. These descriptions do not refer to any specific contract of insurance and they do not modify any definitions, exclusions or any other provision expressly stated in any contracts of insurance. We encourage you to speak to your insurance representative and to read your policy contract to fully understand your coverages.

Business insurance coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC . The information you provide will be shared with our business partners so that they can return a quote.

If you choose to get a rate quote online, you will be taken to the business partner's website. The website is not owned by GEICO Insurance Agency LLC. Any information that you provide directly to business partner on its website is subject to the privacy policy posted on that website, which you should read before proceeding. GEICO Insurance Agency LLC assumes no responsibility for their privacy practices or your use of either website.

Colorado Language Preference

Are you a resident of or looking for insurance in the State of Colorado?

We are temporarily unable to provide services in Spanish for Colorado residents. You will now be directed to an English experience.

Estamos encantados de ofrecer nuestra nueva version del sitio web en Español. Apreciamos su paciencia mientras seguimos mejorando su experiencia.

• Manage Account . external page
•   Other Languages

• Managing Health Care Costs
• Exceptional Care
• Mental Health
• Health Equity
• Member Experience
• Enrollment Support & Resources
• Locate Services
• Small Business
• Large Business
• Virtual Plans
• Multi-State & National Business
• Labor and Trust Funds
• Group Medicare
• Individual & Family Plans . external page
• Consumer Directed Health Care
• Occupational Health

Additional Benefits

• PPO and Point-of-Service Plans
• Employer Wellness Resources
• Health Views for Business Webinar Series
• Mental Health and Wellness
• Social Health
• Specialty Care
• Virtual Care
• Health Plans
• Small Business Plans . current menu item

Small Business Plans

Get the right mix of coverage, cost, and convenience.

As a busy entrepreneur, you want health plans that are simple and easy to use — for you and your employees.

You need options that provide flexibility, help managing your health care dollars, and tools and resources that empower your employees to be healthier.

These are the solutions you get with Kaiser Permanente. Together we can help build a better, sustainable future for your business.

Review plan offerings in your area

Choose from four categories of coverage.

Our bronze, silver, gold, and platinum metal plans include a variety of deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance options. Lower metal plan levels offer the lowest premiums with the highest out-of-pocket costs, while higher metal plan levels offer lower out-of-pocket costs and higher premiums.

More ways to care for your employees and your business

Learn about chiropractic, acupuncture, dental, and vision care benefits >

Consumer-Directed Health Care

Get lower health care costs for your business and employees >

For more information

The tax references in this website are provided for informational purposes only. Consult with your financial or tax advisor or attorney for advice about federal and state income tax laws. Some plan options, products, and riders not available in all Kaiser Permanente areas.

• KP Care & Value
• Find a Doctor . external page

Visit Our Other Sites

• KP.org . external page
• Individual & Family Plans . external page
• Thrive . external page
• Medicare . external page
• Federal Employees . external page
• Health Care Reform . external page
• Careers . external page
• About Us . external page
• Accessibility . external page
• Terms & Conditions . external page
• Technical Information . external page
• Privacy Policy . external page
• Nondiscrimination Notice . external page

Kaiser Permanente health plans around the country: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., in Northern and Southern California and Hawaii • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., Nine Piedmont Center, 3495 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305 • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc., in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., 2101 E. Jefferson St., Rockville, MD 20852 • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest, 500 NE Multnomah St., Suite 100, Portland, OR 97232 • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington or Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington Options, Inc., 1300 SW 27th St., Renton, WA 98057

Congratulations! You have successfully saved this item.

To access your Saved items any time, open the "Saved Items" folder in the top right corner of the page.

View Saved Items >

Cookies disabled

It seems that you do not have cookies enabled. Please enable cookies to make use of all of our site's functionality.

Saved items

You haven't collected any items yet.

Click the "Save" icon     next to the content you want to revisit later.

Click on the "Saved Items" link at the top of the page or use the URL we create for you.

Be sure to copy and paste the URL we create for you before you leave the site.

 Saved Items

After leave the site, your saved items will be saved for you at this URL:

Share your list

W Sahara denounces France’s plan to fund projects in disputed region

• Image Credits :
• 7 April 2024, 21:42 [SAST]

France’s intention to  use  the French Development Agency (AFD)  to fund projects  in the disputed Sahrawi regions is a “provocative” step, Algerian state media reported on Sunday, citing a statement from Western Sahara’s Information Ministry.

Morocco considers Western Sahara its own but an Algeria-backed independence movement demands a sovereign state.

“This is a dangerous escalation of France’s hostile stance towards the Sahrawi people,” the ministry statement said, adding France’s plans “represents explicit support for Morocco’s illegal occupation of parts of Western Sahara.”

The statement came after France’s foreign trade minister, Franck Riester, visited Morocco last week.

According to an article in France’s Le Monde newspaper, Riester indicated that the AFD, via its subsidiary Proparco, could help finance a project involving a high-voltage power line between Dakhla, Western Sahara’s capital ,  and the Moroccan capital, Casablanca.

“The Sahrawi government once again calls on all countries of the world and the public and private sectors to refrain from carrying out any activity of any kind in the Sahrawi national territory,” the statement  said .

Morocco took over most of Western Sahara in 1975 from colonial Spain. That started a guerrilla war with the Sahrawi people’s Polisario Front, which says the desert territory in the northwest of Africa belongs to it.

The United Nations brokered a ceasefire in 1991 and sent in  a  mission to help organise a referendum on the future of the territory, but the sides have been deadlocked since.

View all posts

Privacy Overview

The 2024 solar eclipse is next week! Here's everything you need to know.

The april 8, 2024 total solar eclipse will cross the united states, with millions of americans witnessing the spectacle. here's info on the eclipse's time, path, how to find glasses and more..

We are exactly one week from the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse that'll cross a wide swath of the United States, with an expected 34 million Americans witnessing the celestial show.

The 2024 solar eclipse will last longer than the one viewed  by more than 20 million people in August 2017 , and according to NASA won’t happen again  for another 20 years . Fifteen total solar eclipses have been recorded in the U.S. in the last 150 years, with the next one expected in August 2044 .

Even if you're not in the path of totality, like most of Michigan, you can still watch the spectacle. You will need special eclipse glasses to be able to take in the experience so you don't risk eye damage . Thankfully, there is still time to get your hands on a pair — or create your own eclipse viewer at home .

Here's everything to know about the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse.

What is a solar eclipse?

Solar eclipses occur when the moon passes directly between the sun and Earth’s orbits , creating an eclipse of Earth’s view of the sun. The term "eclipse" traces its roots to the Latin  “eclipsis,” drawn from the Greek  “ekleipsis.”

The  path of totality  is the predicted path of the eclipse; in this case, from Mexico, through the U.S. across Texas and North America to the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. States  in the path of totality  for the 2024 solar eclipse include Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

What is the 2024 solar eclipse path?

Use the map below to see NASA's prediction of the April 8 solar eclipse's path of totality. Keep in mind that this is a prediction, and predictions can vary, but they may only affect you if you're on the very edge of the path .

More: What is the meaning of the word 'eclipse'? Here is its origin ahead of April 8 event

When is the solar eclipse 2024? When does the solar eclipse start near me?

The 2024 solar eclipse is Monday, April 8, 2024. Its path of totality will cross the United States from approximately 2:27 p.m. to 3:35 p.m. Eastern time. That's when, if you're in the path, the sky will darken for several minutes and the air will get colder.

Use the ZIP code locator below to find out when the eclipse begins and ends in your area — and what it will look like. (Can't see it? Hit refresh.)

What time is the solar eclipse in Michigan?

Only one small sliver of Michigan is in the 2024 eclipse's path of totality, in southeastern Monroe County. That includes Luna Pier, which sits along Lake Erie, just north of Toledo. Its residents are getting excited , albeit a little concerned about potential traffic snarls.

Most of the rest of Michigan will see somewhere between 90-99% coverage of the sun , though it won't be visible to the naked eye; you'll need special glasses or a viewer (more on that later).

When is the solar eclipse in Detroit?

In Detroit, where there will be 99.4% coverage of the sun, the 2024 solar eclipse will begin at 1:58 p.m. and reach maximum totality, or coverage, around 3:14 p.m. It will conclude with a final partial eclipse at 4:27 p.m.

What is the April 8, 2024 weather forecast in Michigan?

Clear skies will be essential to viewing the eclipse, especially since most of Michigan doesn't fall in the path of totality.

As of Friday, the latest weather forecast for southeast Michigan shows potential cloud cover, but encouraging signs that it'll be clear enough to view the eclipse .  AccuWeather  predicts a high of 63 degrees in Detroit on April 8, with "variable cloudiness" and a chance of a shower in the morning.  Weather.com  also predicts partly cloudy skies and a high of 66 degrees.

If these predictions hold up, that would give eclipse viewers in southeast Michigan  a chance to see the eclipse at least somewhere within the 2.5-hour window, as long as the clouds break at any point. (But remember, it's Michigan; the weather forecast changes fast. Stay tuned to Freep.com for the latest.)

How to find 2024 solar eclipse glasses

First of all, make sure the eclipse glasses you're searching for are safe. According to  NASA's eclipse safety website , the agency does not recommend specific eyewear for eclipse viewing but  does  recommend glasses that come with an IOS compliance label, or standard, of 12312-2, on the packaging. The eyewear may also be labeled IOS 12312-2:2015. According to NASA, torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged eyewear should be discarded.

While local hardware and big box retailers may have eclipse eyewear on their shelves, buyer beware, especially if they claim to be endorsed by NASA. NASA does not make specific recommendations.

Here's where to find eclipse glasses :

• The American Astronomical Society  has a list of approved solar-eclipse glasses suppliers  here .  You'll be able to find eclipse glasses on  Amazon  in bulk; just ensure they are approved before you buy them. Here are more ideas on where to find free eclipse glasses .
• Warby Parker , the eyewear company,  is giving away eclipse eyewear at its stores beginning Monday , but does not have details about the availability of the free glasses at its locations. According to its website, the chain has six stores in Michigan: Grand Rapids, Novi, Troy, Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Birmingham.
• Check your local library: You also may be able to find free eclipse glasses at your local public library in Michigan, along with special programs. Check your library nearest you for details.
• Check these retailers: The American Astronomical Society says some locations of these retailers may sell eclipse glasses: Walmart, Lowe's, Menards, Kroger, Meijer and Staples.

Here's more information on how to safely view the eclipse . Also try the the American Astronomical Society's website  or to  NASA .

More: Michigan Science Center offers eclipse glasses for $2, plans viewing event at Ford House

Watch for eclipse glasses scams!

Please don't forget the scams. Consumers should exercise caution when buying eclipse-related experiences or goods, according to Melanie Duquesnel, president and CEO of BBB Serving Eastern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

So far, she said, the Michigan BBB has not received eclipse-related complaints or scam reports. Even so, you want to take extra care to avoid fake products, like counterfeit eclipse glasses, and rip-offs, like too good to be true deals for  special tickets  or deals on hotel rooms. Here's finance columnist Susan Tompor with more tips on avoiding eclipse glasses and hotel scams.

How to make your own eclipse viewer

Want to watch the eclipse without glasses? You don't necessarily need special glasses or filters, but it takes a little creativity and a handful to household supplies to make your own pinhole box or pinhole projector, also known as a pinhole camera.

Here's what to know, including step-by-step instructions , about building your own eclipse viewer.

Will the eclipse affect my pets? Will it affect other animals?

There are four things likely to happen to animal behavior during the April 8, 2024 eclipse, according to Erica Cartmill, professor of anthropology, animal behavior and cognitive science at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana:

• Animals won't do anything unusual.
• Animals will do evening behaviors. For example, if a dog is used to a bedtime treat, he may go to the kitchen to wait for it.
• Animals will display signs of increased anxiety such as scratching, yawning, circling and pacing or if they are animals that typically flock together, they will start grouping.
• Animals display unexpected behavior.

Here's more on what to know from reporter Jamie LaReau .

When is the next solar eclipse after 2024?

Not for another 20 years. According to NASA, after the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, the next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044 . Here's how we're able to predict eclipses so far ahead of time.

It'll be much longer before another solar eclipse's path of totality crosses Michigan. The next solar eclipse to cross the state will be Sept. 14, 2099, when  the path of totality crosses the southwest Lower Peninsula .

Follow the Detroit Free Press on Instagram ( @detroitfreepress ), TikTok ( @detroitfreepress ), YouTube ( @DetroitFreePress ), Twitter/X ( @freep ), and LinkedIn , and like us on Facebook ( @detroitfreepress ).

• Back to stores
• Find a Verizon Store
• Request a Store Appointment
• Australia (eng)
• Deutschland (de)
• France (fr)
• Great Britain (eng)
• Netherlands (eng)
• Singapore (eng)

Mobile plans for business

Get the domestic mobile plans, international services, device protection and more that fit your business needs.

Get started

• Explore more

Business devices

Affordability.

Get pricing that works for your business, with mobile plans as low as $30/mo. Per line with 5 lines on Business Unlimited Start 5G smartphone plan. Select customer agreement required. Includes Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount. Taxes, fees and Economic Adjustment Charge apply.

Keep teams connected with coverage virtually anywhere you do business.

Reliability

Keep work flowing with mobile devices your business can rely on. On the network America relies on.

Take advantage of value-added security services to help defend against cyber threats.

Business Unlimited

Switch and get truly unlimited data, plus double the premium hotspot data with select plans. Compared to Business Unlimited 2.0 plans.

Bring your own device

Have a device you love? Save $600 when you switch to Verizon 
and bring your compatible smartphone and number. New line w/month-to-month agmt & Business Unlimited Plus 5G or Unlimited Pro 5G plan req’d. Cust must transfer smartphone & number to VZ; new line activation & number transfer must be completed in one transaction. Smartphone must be compatible w/VZ network. $600 credit applied to acct. over 24 mos; promo credit ends when eligibility requirements are no longer met. Credits begin in 1-2 bills, will include appropriate credit amounts from order date & do not appear in Biz Unlimited 5G plan fee section of your bill. Biz Unlimited 5G plan fee increases in month 25. Cust must retain smartphone & remain on selected plan in order to receive credit(s). Cannot be combined with other device offers. Business Unlimited 5G plan terms apply. Limited time offer.

You may also be interested in

Device protection.

Don’t let a lost, stolen or damaged device destroy productivity. Because your business can’t wait. Verizon device protection options are available for eligible Verizon business wireless lines and devices. You must enroll within 30 days of device activation or during another qualifying event. Certain benefits are available with select plans. Claims limitations, line limits, deductibles, taxes, fees and terms apply.

International services

Whether you're traveling outside the U.S. for business or calling a vendor in another country, our international business plans are built to meet your needs.

Smartphones

Choose from a range of cutting-edge smartphones from top brands, and give your business a boost.

Help your teams stay productive where work takes them with lightweight, portable tablets and 2-in-1s.

Explore a variety of devices designed to meet your business needs.

Get a 5G phone on us. When you switch.

Taxes & fees apply. New line w/device payment purchase agmt & Business Unlimited Pro plan req’d. 0% APR. Up to $1,000 (iPhone 15 Pro Max, Pixel Fold, Galaxy S24 Ultra or Galaxy Z Fold5) credit, varying by smartphone trade-in, applied to acct over the term of your agmt (up to 36 mos); promo credit ends when eligibility requirements are no longer met. Credit will not exceed device price. Monthly credits begin 2-3 bills after trade-in is received by VZ. Smartphone trade-in must be received by VZ w/in 90 days & meet program requirements. Most trade-in device conditions accepted; exclusions apply. 10-line trade-in limit per order. Cannot be combined with other device offers. Limited time offer.

New Verizon customers can get $100 off a new smartphone.

New line w/device payment agmt & $34.99 or higher price plan req’d. 0% APR. $100 credit applied to acct after 2-3 bills. Can be combined with select offers. VZ reserves the right to charge back to your acct all or a portion of the value of any promotional credit you received as part of this offer in the event you no longer meet the eligibility requirements. Any such charge back may be subject to the terms of your VZ agmt. Offer available online only for a limited time.

Switch with your phone and number. Save $600.

New line w/month-to-month agmt & Business Unlimited Plus 5G or Unlimited Pro 5G plan req’d. Cust must transfer smartphone & number to VZ; new line activation & number transfer must be completed in one transaction. Smartphone must be compatible w/VZ network. $600 credit applied to acct. over 24 mos; promo credit ends when eligibility requirements are no longer met. Credits begin in 1-2 bills, will include appropriate credit amounts from order date & do not appear in Biz Unlimited 5G plan fee section of your bill. Biz Unlimited 5G plan fee increases in month 25. Cust must retain smartphone & remain on selected plan in order to receive credit(s). Cannot be combined with other device offers. Business Unlimited 5G plan terms apply. Limited time offer.

Let’s connect.

Ready to buy Shop devices

Chat with us Start live chat

Call if you need 10+ devices 800-526-3178

Have us contact you Request a call

Already have an account?    Log in Explore support

Types of cat insurance

Factors to consider when choosing cat insurance, benefits of insuring your cat, how to choose the right insurance policy, insurance for cats and kittens: an overview.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

• Pet insurance will generally only cover a cat's visits to the emergency room, not routine vet visits.
• Some pet insurance companies do offer wellness plans that cover preventive care.
• It's best to purchase coverage when your cat is still young, so no preexisting conditions will be excluded.

Over the life of his cat, Joey Lusvardi has been to the vet many, many times, not only for checkups but for surgery, diagnostics, and medications. The cat behavior consultant at Class Act Cats said he's easily spent thousands on his feline, enough to make him consider getting pet insurance in the future. 

Despite its importance, cat owners are less likely than dog owners to seek regular medical care. Still, about 19% of cat owners say they've had to take their feline to an emergency room or surgical center—just the type of situation cat insurance is meant to cover. Those visits, as Lusvardi knows, can become very pricey. 

"Veterinary bills add up very quickly so when you do need it, pet insurance really helps ," he said. "It also prevents you from having to make choices about whether or not to get your cat medical treatment to address a potentially curable illness due to finances."

Pet insurance, including insurance for cats and kittens, is designed to cover emergencies. 

According to the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, the most common reasons cats need emergency veterinary care include eating something dangerous, fracturing a bone, and having blocked urine tubes. Two other common problems — kidney disease and heart failure — are treatable but costly to control. 

"We can do a lot for pets these days," says Brian Evans , a veterinarian and medical director at Dutch, an online veterinary clinic. "But costs can really accumulate and overwhelm people, especially in emergency situations."

Accident-only plans

Accident-only pet insurance provides coverage after an unexpected injury, like breaking a bone or ingesting a toxin. These plans don't cover illnesses or diseases that may arise, nor do they extend to behavioral issues or hereditary conditions. Accident-only plans cover the following conditions: 

• Broken bones
• Bite wounds
• Cuts and lacerations
• Foreign object ingestion
• Toxin ingestion and poisoning
• Car accidents
• Eye injuries
• Torn ligaments

Comprehensive coverage

Accident and illness coverage or comprehensive coverage, gives you all the coverages under an accident policy, plus for illness, disease, and other health conditions. The following conditions are eligible for coverage under an accident and illness policy: 

• Hypothyroidism
• Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
• Urinary tract infections
• Lyme disease
• Osteosarcoma
• Hip dysplasia

Wellness and preventive care plans

Pet insurance, including insurance for cats and kittens, is designed to cover emergencies. Preventive care, like annual exams and vaccines, usually isn't included. If you want all your vet care covered by your insurance provider, consider wellness plan coverage for cats.

A cat wellness plan covers these routine and preventative services: 

• Annual exams
• Vaccinations
• Flea and tick preventatives
• Heartworm preventatives
• Spaying and neutering
• Dental cleanings
• Nutritional supplements 
• Prescription food
• Nail trimming
• Anal gland expression
• Routine blood and fecal tests
• Microchipping
• Cremation and burial 

Age and breed considerations

Pet insurers may have exclusions for certain ages and breeds. Fortunately, most insurance companies provide coverage for all breeds. However, some pets, like purebred cats, are more susceptible to genetic issues than mixed-breed ones, so they may cost more to insure. 

On the other hand, almost all insurance policies have age restrictions, requiring your pet to be at least eight weeks old and under 14 years old to qualify for coverage.

Coverage limits and exclusions in pet insurance coverage

Your annual policy limit is the maximum your insurer will pay for covered services across your coverage period (usually a calendar year). For example, say your annual limit is $5,000. In that case, your insurance company will cover up to $5,000 of emergency care for your pet. 

The per-incident cap refers to the amount your pet insurer will reimburse you per incident. For instance, say your policy has a per-incident cap of $1,500. If your cat breaks a bone, your insurer will cover up to $1,500 for examination, x-rays, and treatment for that injury. 

Some insurers offer unlimited limits for maximum protection. However, these policies tend to be more expensive than policies with coverage caps. Some insurers, like Trupanion , don't have coverage limits.

Preexisting conditions are also an important exclusion to be aware of in your insurance policy. Whether you're bringing home a kitten or adopting a grown cat, it's best to purchase pet insurance as soon as you can. That's because no insurance plans cover preexisting conditions. 

So, the sooner you buy insurance, the more potential issues can be covered. 

"If you wait until they get sick, it will be too late and could potentially exclude them from coverage for the rest of their life," says Evans. 

It's ideal to insure your feline when they're a kitten, but since more than 70% of cat owners adopt or rescue their pets, it's not always possible. If you're taking in an older cat, get insurance right after bringing them home. 

Routine care, such as vaccines or checkups, is also excluded from your pet insurance policy. You'll need to purchase a wellness plan add-on for preventive care coverage. 

Deductibles and premiums

A deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurer provides coverage. Depending on the insurance provider, you'll be responsible for an annual deductible or a per-incident deductible. Raising your deductible generally lowers your premiums. Before you choose a deductible, make sure you have the cash available to cover that amount.

Peace of mind and financial protection 

Pet care can be expensive, especially for emergency procedures to save your companion's life. When the unexpected happens, pet insurance can help you pay the bill, so you don't have to make the difficult decision between your finances and your pet's health. 

Access to better and timely healthcare

Due to the cost associated with pet care, pet owners may delay vet visits or hesitate to proceed with certain treatments. Pet insurance alleviates your financial burden, allowing you to give your pet quality and timely health care. 

Comparing cat insurance policies

Costs can vary widely by insurance company. A good rule of thumb is to gather quotes from at least three companies to determine which insurer presents the best deal. Ensure each quote offers similar coverages, deductibles, reimbursement percentages, and policy limits so you're comparing apples to apples.

Get Pet Insurance Quotes:  Compare the best pet insurance companies with an online quote from Petted. Petted uses your pet's information to get quotes from multiple providers and compares policies to find the best one for you. You can compare quotes from popular providers like Nationwide Pet Insurance , Trupanion Pet Insurance , and ASPCA Pet Insurance .

Reading reviews and asking for recommendations

Shopping online and comparing different plans can be overwhelming. Asking for recommendations from other friends who have cats gives you a bit of a shortcut. They'll be able to tell you which insurance companies they love (and which they don't). 

Another good resource is your veterinarian. "They see many people with many different insurance companies so they can give you the good and the bad of each of them," Luvardi says. "Plus, you'll get a more individualized recommendation" based on the health of your pet. 

Understanding the claims process

Unlike human medical insurance, which pays the providers directly, even the best pet insurance plans provide reimbursements. That means you'll pay for the care upfront and then receive a portion of the cost back from your insurer after you file a claim. Your reimbursement amount will vary based on your deductible, coinsurance, and policy limits. 

For example, say your pet undergoes a surgical procedure that costs $10,000. Your policy's deductible is $500, the insurer's reimbursement rate is 80%, and you have unlimited coverage. After your deductible and reimbursement rate is factored in, you'll receive $7,600 in coverage. 

Pet insurance helps manage the costs of unexpected veterinary bills. This financial tool ensures your cat receives the medical care they need without putting a strain on your budget or going into debt.

Pet insurance includes accident-only plans and comprehensive plans, which cover both accidents and illnesses. Wellness plans in pet health insurance help manage routine care costs and are available at an additional cost. 

What should I consider when choosing an insurance policy for my cat?

Firstly, consider your cat's needs. You may need to increase your coverage or search for an insurer that covers your cat's age and breed. Secondly, you'll also want to factor in your financial situation when customizing your policy's deductible, reimbursement rate, and policy limits.

Insurance options for senior cats and cats with curable preexisting conditions are limited but are available. However, expect these policies to have higher premiums. 

Choose the right policy for your cat by comparing policies from different providers, reading customer reviews, and seeking recommendations from other pet owners or veterinarians. Above all, it's crucial to read through the fine print to understand what each policy covers and what it doesn't. 

Watch: Big-cat expert rates 9 big-cat attack scenes in movies

• Main content

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

How Does Long COVID Affect Your Retirement Planning?

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Planning for retirement is at least partially about building a financial structure that will support you or your loved ones if something happens, including illness or disability.

And the potential for that “something” has risen in recent years: Almost 1 in 5 adults age 50 and over say they’ve had symptoms of long COVID, according to a 2023 survey from AARP. Common effects include fatigue, brain fog, difficulty breathing, anxiety, depression and gastrointestinal issues, and 39% have had symptoms for a year or more.

“So many people got infected with COVID, you have a much bigger number of people who are infected with a significant chronic disease,” says Carolyn McClanahan, a physician-turned-certified financial planner in Jacksonville, Florida.

At the heart of the matter, long COVID isn’t unique in the way it impacts your retirement strategy — but it does reinforce that a successful retirement plan must hold up to unexpected illness. Here are some tactics to make your plan more resilient.

Beef up your emergency fund

At any stage of life, it’s important to have cash on hand in case you need it. “Too many people sock money away in retirement plans where it can be harder to access if you have an issue,” McClanahan says.

Depending on your life circumstances, you may want to have as much as six to 12 months of savings set aside. Your savings can help you make ends meet if you get sick and can’t work, or if you’re waiting for disability benefits to kick in.

“Life happens, emergencies happen,” says Ashton Lawrence, a CFP in Greenville, South Carolina. Instead of having to tap a home equity line of credit or take on debt, he says, you’ll have this cash sitting on the sidelines for emergency situations.

Review your estate plan

A basic estate plan might include a will, advance directive and both medical and financial powers of attorney. This helps ensure that if you’re incapacitated or unable to speak for yourself, your health and your affairs will be handled the way you want them to be.

If you didn’t work with an estate planning attorney to create your plan, have one review your documents to make sure they were executed correctly. Requirements for powers of attorney vary from state to state, says Shari Fleming, an estate planning attorney in Owings Mills, Maryland.

Fleming also encourages her clients to write a letter of intent that puts their wishes down on paper, such as the goals behind their estate plan or how they’d like the end of their life to go. “It’s not a legal document, but it does fill in the blanks,” she says.

Buy great health insurance

Don’t skimp on health coverage — get the best plan you can afford. If you’re under 65 or still covered by an employer plan, make sure you have the money to cover the plan deductible if you need medical care. “If you have long COVID, you’re pretty much going to max out your deductible every year,” McClanahan says.

If you’re eligible for Medicare, McClanahan recommends Original Medicare with a Medigap policy for greatest flexibility. “With Medicare Advantage, you’re basically locked into your insurer’s network, and they’re the ones who get to ration your care,” she says. “If you have traditional Medicare, you don’t have that issue.”

Compare Medigap plans

Hit retirement savings goals early.

“I have clients that maybe aren’t as prepared for retirement as they need to be, and they tell me, ‘I know I’m going to have to work until I’m 67 or 70,'” says Liz Windisch, a CFP in Denver. “What if you get sick? What if your partner or parent or sibling gets sick and you have to care for them and can’t work full time?”

Windisch encourages her clients to get more aggressive with savings goals , and if they can’t save more, to get a roommate or a part-time job to make it happen. “I hope you can work until you’re 67 … but we need to plan as if you might not be able to do that,” she says.

Simplify your money life

Because there’s always the possibility of incapacity as you get older, streamlining your finances makes it easier if someone has to step in to manage things. Consolidate accounts, keep a list of usernames and passwords, and keep a folder with at least one statement from each bill that you pay.

Noah Damsky, a financial adviser in Los Angeles, has a client who was very independent before she started experiencing long COVID symptoms. Since then, her family has had to get more involved in her life. “We’ve got to make sure other family members are playing a more active role in some of the things they didn't [do] before, like making sure some bills get paid, doctors are seen, things like that,” Damsky says.

Check your life and disability coverage

If you have disability insurance through your employer, consider paying for higher coverage, if you can — employer plans for long-term disability usually replace just 60% of your income. Consider, also, a life insurance policy with a disability rider, which is generally less expensive than buying a disability policy independently.

Gregory Corneille, a CFP in Lawrenceville, Georgia, recommends life insurance with critical and chronic illness riders for people who have little or no disability coverage. Critical illness riders cover things like cancer, heart disease and lung disease. Though carriers may not have updated their coverage definitions to include long COVID specifically, long COVID causes some of the issues on the list, Corneille says.

You can also buy a life insurance policy with a long-term care rider, so you can use the death benefit to pay for long-term care costs like a nursing home or a home care worker.

“We’re going to find a lot of people that have a lot more health problems than they used to,” Windisch says. “COVID affects people in ways we haven't even realized yet.”

This article was written with the support of a journalism fellowship from the Gerontological Society of America, the Journalists Network on Generations and the Silver Century Foundation.

On a similar note...

Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medigap plans