Zensurance Small Business Insights
News and resources for Canadian small businesses and startups covering the economic and business insurance landscape.
Recent posts
What Is a Certificate of Insurance (COI)?
A certificate of insurance (COI), or proof of insurance certificate, summarizes your business insurance coverage and proves your business has liability insurance. Without it, you could be missing out on many opportunities. Here’s what every business owner should know.
What Type of Insurance Does a Home-Based Bakery Need?
Countless Canadian bakers with a flare for making scrumptious baked goods are always in high demand, prompting many to start a home-based bakery. But there’s one essential ingredient they should never skip – liability 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.
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.
Small Business Tips
5 Common Winter Business Insurance Claims
Accidents and mishaps leading to insurance claims can happen to any business owner at any time, but winter weather can raise the stakes considerably. Here are five wintertime claims our clients had to contend with and how their insurance coverage helped them recover.
How General Contractors Can Price a Job
Customer quotes allow contractors to set expectations and ensure a project goes smoothly and satisfactorily. However, pricing too low won’t cover your costs, and pricing too high risks not scoring the job. See our guide for tips on how to strike the right balance.
10 Tips for Closing Your Small Business for the Winter
Are you closing up shop for the winter? Ensuring your property is prepared for winter and your valuable contents and inventory are safely stored is vital. See our tips for how small business owners can shut down operations and keep their assets safe.
Insurance
What Insurance Do Photographers Need?
Whether you're launching your photography business or are a seasoned professional capturing unforgettable moments, the financial risks facing photographers and videographers can be significant. Here’s how to protect your photography business.
Insurance for Janitors: What Type of Insurance Does a Janitor Need?
Professional janitors operate on the front lines of high-traffic, high-stakes environments – where a single misstep can lead to costly liability. Find out how customized liability insurance can safeguard a janitorial business when problems arise.
Why Do Accountants Need Professional Liability Insurance?
As trusted advisors, accountants empower business owners with clarity and confidence. But much like any small business owner, accountants also face financial risks. Here’s how insurance can protect accountants’ finances and careers.
Financial Business Tips
How Your Small Business Can Accept Credit Card Payments in Canada
The monetary landscape is shifting, emphasizing the need for Canadian small businesses to adapt to accepting cashless payments more frequently from their customers. Here’s what you should know.
Canadian Small Business Tax Filing Tips for 2023
Tax season is fast approaching, and small business owners and self-employed professionals should start preparing now rather than later. Get a rundown of important dates and how to reduce your chances of being audited.
How to Prepare Your Small Business for a Recession
Although there’s no consensus among economists whether Canada will slip into a recession, preparing your business’s finances to endure a choppy economy now and into 2023 is the safest strategy. Here are ways to do that.
Cybersecurity
No More Passwords: How Passkeys Can Help Make Your Small Business Secure
Data shows the passwords we use today are among the weakest links in cybersecurity defence. Passkeys are poised to replace passwords. Get details on what they are and how they can help make your small business more secure.
5 Common Cyber Liability Insurance Claims
Small businesses and startups are not immune to cyber-attacks. Get a rundown of some of the most common cyber-attacks that hit companies of all sizes and how cyber liability insurance can help a business recover from one.
Fraud Prevention Month 2023: 8 Ways to Protect Your Business From Fraud
March is Fraud Prevention Month. Fraud is rising significantly in Canada. Do you know where your greatest vulnerabilities are? Learn how to prevent your business from falling victim to fraud.
Startup Tips
How to Start an IT Business in Canada
Much like a technologist, entrepreneurship is about problem-solving. Considering our economic environment, the moment to strike out on your own may be at-hand. Here are the steps to take to bring your tech startup to life.
How to Become a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) in Canada
Read our guide on starting a career as a registered massage therapist and find out what education and hands-on experience you need, salary details, insurance considerations, and more.
A Guide to Selling on Depop
Get the lowdown on selling on Depop, including what you can sell online, selling fees, recommended insurance coverage, and more.