Zensurance Small Business Insights
News and resources for Canadian small businesses and startups covering the economic and business insurance landscape.
Recent posts
Smash-and-Grab Thefts: How to Safeguard Your Retail Business
How can Canadian retailers defend their properties and inventories and enhance security when robberies and theft are rising? See our recommendations for upping retail store security and having the right insurance to recover from such events.
15 Business Grants and Loans for Women in Canada
The Zensurance Small Business Grant is one of many options for Canadian women entrepreneurs and startups led by women that are available to help them grow their businesses. See our list of grants and loans to pursue.
6 Ways Maintenance Helps Reduce Liability Risks for Landlords
Smart landlords know that risk management hinges on regular maintenance. A well-maintained property is safer, more valuable, and less likely to trigger costly liability claims. Here are six ways for landlords to prevent problems and protect their properties.
What You Need to Know About Self-Employed Insurance
Many self-employed Canadians (70% according to our poll) lack business insurance, leaving their finances vulnerable to work-related risks and liabilities. Discover how business insurance can offer essential protection for independent professionals.
Can a Youth-Owned Business Be Insured?
Entrepreneurs are often ahead of their time as they fearlessly push the limits. Sometimes, they may be so far ahead of their peers that they aspire to launch a business before they’re 18 years old. Here’s how a youth can get liability insurance for a startup.
What Insurance Do eBay Sellers in Canada Need?
Although eBay does not require sellers on its marketplace to carry business insurance, independent eBay Canada sellers face many liability risks that could result in expensive claims and lawsuits. Here’s how an eBay Canada seller can protect their finances.
Small Business Tips
Emergency Preparedness Week: 10 Tips for Small Businesses
Emergency Preparedness Week 2025 runs from May 4 to 10. Download our free emergency supply kit checklist and see our 10 emergency preparedness tips for small businesses.
15 Tips to Get Your Vacation Rental Property Ready for the Summer
Vacation rental property owners across Canada are eager to attract vacationers to their properties. Before summer gets underway, see our tips for sprucing up your property and ensuring you’ve got the right insurance to cover unexpected damages that may crop up.
Zensurance Business Grant Winner 2025: SnuggleTooth Smile Mobile
We're excited to introduce the winners of our $10,000 and $1,000 small business grants! Learn from their valuable advice for fellow business owners and entrepreneurs, and discover why they consider insurance a cornerstone of their financial well-being.
Insurance
Contractor vs Subcontractor: Understanding Liability and Insurance
It can be confusing to understand the specific risks contractors and subcontractors face during construction projects. Get a straightforward understanding of what's at stake and the types of insurance these professionals require.
10 Common Summertime Business Insurance Claims in Canada
Summer can bring a surge in unexpected risks for small businesses – from property damage to equipment breakdowns. See how we helped real clients tackle 10 common seasonal claims and stay open for business.
Under the Table = Underinsured: The Moral Hazard Every Contractor Should Know
Doing work “under the table” – unreported, off-the-books work done in cash to avoid taxes and legal obligations – poses significant risks to contractors, including rejected insurance claims.
Financial Business Tips
10 Financial Planning Tips for Small Businesses in 2025
Making informed decisions, dealing with unforeseen challenges, and positioning your business for sustained growth requires planning. See our financial planning tips to help your small business grow and thrive in 2025.
5 Tips for Increasing Your Small Business’s Profit in a Slow Economy
Challenges remain for small businesses to grow their profit margins due to inflation and higher-than-average interest rates. Here are five things you can do to grow profitability in a tight economic environment.
10 Business Insurance Claims We Saw in 2023
For some professionals or business owners, buying business insurance is a legal or regulatory requirement. For others, it is not. Either way, it’s wise to do so. Here are 10 real-life reasons why you should.
Cybersecurity
How to Protect Your Business on Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2024
The opportunity Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the holiday season present also poses considerable liability risks for any small business or independent seller angling to get in on the action. Here’s what to watch for and how to protect your company and finances.
8 Cybersecurity Tools for Small Businesses Using Mobile Devices
Mobile device security threats are rising. Most Canadian small businesses use mobile devices for their operations. Securing the devices your employees and company use is vital to a well-rounded cybersecurity plan. See our suggestions for upping your mobile security.
What to Do If Your Small Business Suffers a Cyber-Attack
An estimated 69% of Canadian small businesses don't consider cybersecurity a financial priority, and only 20% intend to purchase a cyber insurance policy. If you suspect your business has experienced a cyber-attack or data breach, taking immediate action is critical to minimize the damage.
Startup Tips
5 Common Consultant Insurance Claims
The services consultants provide to their customers expose them to many liability risks that can affect their reputations and finances. Here are five real-life insurance claims a handful of our consultant clients faced and how insurance helped them recover.
Blackout: 9 Power Outage Tips for Small Business Owners
No power in your shop means no customers walking through your door. Likewise, no power means no internet. While most power outages or blackouts tend to be short-lived, that’s not always the case. Here’s how you can prepare your business for a sustained outage.
How to Start a Dog Walking Business
Discover the ins and outs of the dog walking business with our guide highlighting the vital skills you need, how to find clients and organize your operations, set prices, and understand your liability insurance needs.
