Zensurance Small Business Insights
News and resources for Canadian small businesses and startups covering the economic and business insurance landscape.
Recent posts
Additional Interest and Additional Insured: What’s the Difference?
Adding a third party to a business insurance policy can be done by including them as an additional interest or an additional insured. While both methods involve adding a third party, they have distinct purposes. Here’s what business owners need to know.
What Is a Business Insurance Exclusion?
Commercial insurance policies contain exclusions. An exclusion defines what is not covered by a policy. Understanding exclusions helps you know what is and is not covered. Here’s what to know.
50 Side Hustle Ideas to Make Money in 2025
In addition to making extra income, a side hustle is a testing ground to try out a new idea before jumping headlong into starting a business. Looking for inspiration? Here are 50 side job ideas to consider.
The High Cost of Vandalism: 5 Vandalism Small Business Insurance Claims
Categorized as a property crime, vandalism is defined as the deliberate damage or destruction of property. Along with theft, it’s a persistent threat to small businesses. Explore five vandalism claims our clients filed and how insurance helped them recover.
Canada Post Strike: How Small Businesses Can Manage Shipping Costs
Almost 80% of Canadian small businesses rely on Canada Post to ship goods. With a possible postal strike hitting us on May 23, here are a few ways business owners can manage shipping needs until the work stoppage ends.
How Much Does Manufacturing Insurance Cost in Canada?
The Canadian manufacturing sector plays a crucial role in driving economic growth. However, liability risks lurk at every stage for manufacturers of every kind. Get an overview of manufacturing insurance and the factors that determine its cost.
Small Business Tips
7 Inexpensive Tools for Small Businesses to Create Videos
Using videos to market your business can be a game-changer. For small business owners and self-employed professionals on tight budgets, see our list of options for creating engaging videos with minimal effort and cost.
Fire Prevention Week 2024: How to Protect Your Small Business From Fires
October 6 to 12 is Fire Prevention Week in Canada. See our tips and resources for minimizing the risk of fire on your commercial property and how business insurance can help your company recover following a fire.
Celebrating Small Business Month Canada 2024
October is Small Business Month in Canada, a celebration encapsulating the heart and soul of our country’s entrepreneurial spirit. See our list of learning and financing resources to help your small business or startup thrive and grow.
Insurance
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.
Financial Business Tips
How Does Your Side Business Affect Your Taxes?
The money earned from your side hustle is considered taxable but there are many ways to lower your tax bill. Here’s how to do that.
What Is a Good Profit Margin for Your Small Business?
A profit margin is an amount that shows how profitable your business is by dividing income by revenue (also called sales). There are also different types of margins you’ll need to understand and ways to improve them.
Payment Processors: 5 Ways to Reduce Credit Card Processing Fees
As your small business grows, the fees you pay to process credit card payments may rise. Here’s how you can reduce your credit card processing fees whether you use a payment aggregator or merchant account provider.
Cybersecurity
47% of Canadian Small Businesses Lack Cybersecurity Protection
Online survey finds almost half of small businesses lack necessary cyber security defences to repel a cyber-attack.
How Small Business Insurance in Canada Could Protect You From Hackers
Ask a small business owner if they'd rather deal with a fire or a cyber attack, and the answer may
Why Do Hackers Target Smaller Businesses?
The internet and other digital technologies have revolutionized the way we do business. This much we know.
Startup Tips
How to Reduce Job Applicant Ghosting in a Tight Labour Market
Small businesses can’t afford to be waiting for applicants who will never arrive, or worse yet, people who get hired only to not show up for their first shift. Here’s how you can prevent applicants from “ghosting” you.
8 Ways to Make Smart Small Business Decisions
Every business makes a mistake. Some of the largest companies in the world have made them. Discover eight decision-making strategies to help guide you as you grow your company.
How to Write a Mission and Vision Statement for Your Small Business
There is often confusion around what mission and vision statements are and their differences. Read our guide on how to develop and realize your organization’s mission and vision statements.