Zensurance Small Business Insights
News and resources for Canadian small businesses and startups covering the economic and business insurance landscape.
Recent posts
Workers’ Compensation vs Employers’ Liability Insurance: What’s the Difference?
Workers' comp and employers' liability insurance both deal with workplace injuries, but they're not interchangeable. Here's how each one works, who needs it, and why many Canadian small businesses carry both.
What Is Small Business Insurance (And Do You Need It?)
From liability lawsuits to fire damage, here's what small business insurance covers, what it costs in Canada, and how to tell if your business needs it.
What Insurance Does a Cybersecurity Consultant Need?
Cybersecurity consultants in Canada typically need four coverages: professional liability (errors and omissions), cyber liability, commercial general liability, and business contents insurance. The reason is simple. Clients blame the person who told them they were secure.
6 Real Cyber Insurance Claims Canadian Small Businesses Filed in 2026
Phishing, ransomware, and DDoS attacks keep evolving, and Canadian small businesses are squarely in cybercriminals' crosshairs. Here are six real claims we helped clients recover from – payouts from $25,000 to more than $250,000 – and what they mean for your business, whatever industry you're in.
What Type of Insurance Do Software Developers Need?
Software developers build the systems everything else runs on, and carry the liability when something breaks. Here's the coverage Canadian devs, freelancers, and dev shops actually need, and what each policy does when a claim lands.
How Much Is Commercial Vehicle Insurance in Canada?
The cost of commercial vehicle insurance in Canada varies by insurer. Here's what drives your rate, why business vehicles cost more to insure than personal ones, and how to keep your premium down.
Small Business Tips
Small Business Month in Canada 2026: Resources, Grants, and Support for Owners
October is Small Business Month in Canada – a full month of free training, funding deadlines, and networking events packed into four weeks. Here's a practical list of learning resources, grants, and financing options to help your small business or startup grow, plus one step most owners skip.
Are Commercial Insurance Premiums Tax Deductible in Canada?
Small business owners know many business-related expenses can help lower taxable income. But what about insurance premiums? The short answer is yes, but it doesn't apply to all types of coverage. Here's exactly what Canadian owners can write off.
How to Do a Business Name Search in Canada
A memorable business name builds brand awareness, drives loyalty and sales, and helps you hire. Here's how to search Canada's business registries and trademark database, order a NUANS report, and register your name step-by-step.
Insurance
What Insurance Do Real Estate Property Managers in Canada Need?
You run the building. You don't own it. That gap is exactly where the owner's insurance stops and your liability starts. Here’s what residential and commercial property managers need to know about protecting their livelihoods.
Franchise Insurance Requirements in Canada: What Your Franchise Agreement Requires
Your franchise agreement spells out the coverage you must carry before opening day. Here’s what each clause means, what it costs in Canada, and how to get your certificate in hand fast.
What Is Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance? A Guide for Canadian Small Businesses
A customer trips at your front door. A job goes sideways and floods a client's basement. Here's how commercial general liability (CGL) insurance protects your business from claims like these, what it costs, and how to get covered in minutes.
Financial Business Tips
8 Tax-Filing Tips for Sole Proprietors in Canada (2026 Tax Year Guide)
Tax season is approaching for sole proprietors and self-employed Canadians. This 2026 guide explains key deadlines, required forms, and practical tips to help you file correctly.
15 Business Grants and Loans for Women in Canada (2026 Guide)
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.
Zensurance $25,000 Business Grant Recipient: Sol & Sage Yoga
We are thrilled to announce the recipient of our $25,000 grant and recipients of our five $1,000 grants! Read on to learn valuable advice from these business owners for other entrepreneurs, and to discover why they consider insurance a crucial element of their financial stability.
Cybersecurity
What Small Businesses Need to Know About Cyber Insurance
Data shows that 48% of Canadian small businesses have implemented any form of cyber defence, and only 22% have cyber insurance. Here's why it's time to get serious about protecting your business from cyber threats.
What Should You Do If Your Small Business Has a Data Breach?
Small businesses in Canada are prime targets for cyberattacks and data breaches. Here's exactly what to do in the first 24 hours if your business is hit by a data breach, and how cyber liability insurance can help you recover quickly.
Why E-Commerce Insurance Matters for Online Sellers in Canada
If you sell products online in Canada, e-commerce insurance – also known as online business insurance – is essential to protect your finances, inventory, and reputation. Here’s what online sellers, dropshippers, and small e-commerce businesses in Canada need to know.
Startup Tips
How to Start a Landscaping Business in Canada (Step-by-Step Guide for 2026)
Learn how to start a landscaping business in Canada, including startup costs, licensing requirements, equipment, pricing, and the insurance coverage most contractors need before booking their first job.
How to Start a Business in Ontario: A Step-by-Step Guide for New Entrepreneurs
Thinking about starting a business in Ontario? This beginner-friendly guide walks you through the key steps – from planning and registration to taxes, funding, and insurance – so you can start confidently and grow as you go.
How to Become a CrossFit Instructor
A CrossFit coach or instructor is a fitness professional trained to teach, motivate, and supervise individuals or groups performing high-intensity CrossFit workouts. See our guide on how to establish your career as a CrossFit trainer in Canada, and how to protect your finances with liability insurance.