Protecting your business or profession throughout the year with a comprehensive business insurance policy is critical for protecting your assets and financial wellness.
Accidents and mishaps leading to insurance claims – theft, damages caused by fire or water, or allegations of professional negligence – can happen to any business owner at any time, but winter weather can up the stakes considerably.
Here are five real insurance claims our clients dealt with last winter and how their business insurance helped them cover the costs:
1. Third-Party Bodily Injury Claim
A player in a recreational touch rugby winter league suffered an injury to their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a game. They sought funds for their medical and rehabilitation expenses from our client, who organizes and manages the recreational league.
Outcome: Our client had general liability insurance, which paid $5,000 to cover the injured player’s medical fees.
2. Third-Party Property Damage Claim
Our policyholder is a plumbing contractor who was hired to install new water pipes at a customer’s property over the summer months. However, one of the newly installed water pipes froze and burst during the winter. The leak damaged the customer’s property. They sought compensation from the plumber.
Outcome: Our client had general liability insurance and completed operations insurance to cover third-party property damage claims. However, their insurance adjuster successfully defended them to prove they were not liable to pay this claim.
3. First-Party Property Damage Claim
A municipal snowplow was clearing snow from a city’s sidewalk. While doing so, the snowplow struck the awning on our client’s building above the windows, damaging it. Our client filed a claim against the city for damages.
Outcome: The city wouldn’t pay for the damage to our client’s awning. Instead, our client’s commercial property insurance policy covered over $9,000 to repair it.
4. Commercial Auto Insurance Claim
Our client is a contractor who owns a business vehicle. While driving to a job site in wintry conditions, their vehicle hit a patch of black ice, slid off the road, and hit a roadside guard rail, damaging it and their vehicle.
Outcome: Our client’s commercial auto insurance covered over $11,000 in damages to replace the damaged guard rail and repair our client’s vehicle.
5. Third-Party Property Damage Claim
Another of our contractor clients was working outside at their customer’s property. After finishing the repair job, our client slipped on a patch of ice while taking down a ladder. As he fell, the ladder landed on their customer’s car and damaged it.
Outcome: Our client’s general liability insurance covered $2,831 to pay for the repairs to their customer’s car.
How to Get Low-Cost Business Insurance to Protect Your Finances
Zensurance specializes in offering low-cost business insurance solutions for small business owners, independent professionals, and entrepreneurs across Canada. We can help protect your business and finances too.
Fill out our online application for a free quote. It’s a simple and quick process that takes less than five minutes.
Let our team of seasoned insurance experts navigate the market to get the coverage you need, tailor it to adequately cover your liability risks, and empower you to grow with confidence.
– Reviewed by Brandon Bowie, Team Lead, Professional Lines, Mohammad Samin, Senior Claims Advisor, and Reagan Elly, Senior Claims Advisor.
Recent Posts
What Insurance Do Botox Practitioners Need in Canada? A Complete Coverage Guide
Malpractice insurance for Botox practitioners, aesthetic injectors, and nurses providing Botox, Dysport, and dermal filler treatments is vital to protecting your finances and career from client claims and lawsuits.
Do I Need Insurance to Sell at a Farmers’ Market?
Selling at a Canadian farmers’ market? Most organizers require vendor insurance. Here’s a plain-language guide on what coverage you need to protect your booth and livelihood.
What Is Professional Negligence – And What Happens If a Client Sues You?
A professional negligence claim can devastate your finances and reputation. Learn what it is, how it differs from misconduct, and why professional liability insurance is essential for Canadian professionals and small business owners.
Sign Up for ZenMail
"*" indicates required fields