More daylight, warm summer nights, and the air dusted with spices from a million flowers – summertime in Canada is always the best of what might be.
But unexpected incidents or accidents always lurk in the background – and for business owners, one unfortunate event can cost big bucks to deal with and cloud the sunniest of summer skies.
A comprehensive business insurance policy is the umbrella every independent professional or business owner needs to recover quickly from unexpected damages and losses.
In this article, we’ll share 10 summertime business insurance claims our clients made last year that highlight the value of having the right coverage to keep your company operational and the summer skies clear:
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1. Third-Party Property Damage
Client’s industry: Pet care
Our client runs a dog-sitting and care business. While one of their customers’ dogs was running around their enclosed yard, it encountered a porcupine, and the dog was quilled.
Our client’s general liability insurance policy covered the veterinarian bill to treat the injured dog for over $700.
2. Third-Party Bodily Injury
Client’s industry: Amateur sports
Our client runs an amateur baseball league. An attendee at a game was injured when a supply bin lid closed suddenly on their hand. The attendee sued our client for damages.
Their general liability insurance policy is covering their legal defence fees.
3. Collision With Wildlife
Client’s industry: General contractor
One of our general contractor clients drove to a customer site early in the morning. Suddenly and without warning, a deer darted out in front of their vehicle, and they collided with the animal.
Their commercial auto insurance covered over $31,000 to repair their damaged vehicle.
4. Equipment Malfunction
Client’s industry: Food and hospitality
Our client owns a pizza parlour, and summer is their busiest time.
Unfortunately, their commercial refrigerator suddenly broke down, and the food items inside spoiled, forcing them to close.
Their equipment breakdown insurance, which included business interruption insurance, covered nearly $3,000 to repair the fridge and cover their income losses while closed.
5. Wildfire Property Destruction
Client’s industry: Health and wellness
Our client owns and operates a health and wellness spa.
At the height of the wildfire season last year, the authorities ordered them to evacuate the community due to a wildfire raging out of control in their area.
The wildfire burnt their business premises to the ground.
Their commercial property insurance and business interruption insurance combined cover over $150,000 to repair their property and lost income.
6. Severe Weather Property Damage
Client’s industry: Landlord
There is often a spike in hail damage claims during the summer months.
One of our clients is a landlord who owns a long-term rental home. A severe hail storm damaged the home’s roof and siding.
Their commercial property insurance covered over $25,000 to repair the damaged roof and siding.
7. Damaged Contents
Client’s industry: Photography
One of our professional photographer clients was hired to shoot photos of a wedding.
During the celebrations afterward, an attendee stumbled into our client’s camera tripod and knocked it over, smashing the photographic equipment on the floor.
Their business contents insurance covered over $2,000 to replace the destroyed camera.
8. Theft
Client’s industry: Mobile food truck
Our client owns and operates a food truck.
While the truck was parked overnight at an event site, a thief broke into the vehicle and stole its contents, including food and some cooking equipment.
Their commercial property insurance covered over $4,500 to replace the stolen equipment.
9. Severe weather third-party property damage
Client’s industry: Roofing
One of our roofing clients was working on a customer’s home when a sudden windstorm blew over the worksite midway through the day. Before our client had time to cover the roof with a tarp and secure the premises, rainwater got inside the building and damaged the interior.
Their general liability insurance covered over $4,000 to repair the damage to their customer’s home.
10. Tools theft
Client’s industry: General contractor
Tool thefts are among the most common insurance claims made by our general contractor and skilled trades clients.
In summer, contractors work almost every day, and thieves know it’s their best time to strike.
In this instance, one of our general contractor clients stored his tools in a locked trailer at a secured worksite. That didn’t stop thieves from cutting through the fence, breaking the locks on the trailer, and stealing their tools.
Their tools and equipment insurance covered over $6,000 to replace our client’s stolen tools.
Keep the Sun Shining on Your Business: Get Customized Liability Insurance
Protecting your small business or profession and finances from expensive accidents, damages, and losses is easy through Zensurance.
We help protect hundreds of thousands of Canadian small businesses and independent professionals with low-cost, customized business insurance.
Fill out our online application for a free quote in just a few minutes.
Let our team of knowledgeable insurance experts shop our partner network of over 50 insurers to find the right policy for your needs, tailor it to your specifications, and issue policy documents and a certificate of insurance quickly.
– Reviewed by Reagan Elly, Senior Claims Advisor, and Brandon Bowie, Team Lead, Professional Lines, Zensurance.
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