Most aspiring home stagers wonder whether they should get insurance when they start their business. This is definitely something to look into, but because your need for coverage will differ depending on the state, province and even country you live in, I can't give specific advice that will apply to everyone.

You can look at what business riders you can add to your current home insurance policy for a start.

There are also specific insurance packages for home stagers available with different companies that you can ask your broker about. They cover things like:

* general liability

* fire liability

* business property when it's in your office and when it's off premises or in transit

* medical expenses

* computer equipment

* accounts receivable

* money and securities

One question you'll want to ask them is how long they'll insure your items when they're off premises. This is a concern if you'll be using your own furniture and accessories to fill vacant properties. I have heard of insurers who will only cover the items for 60 days. Clearly this isn't long enough if you are operating in a slow real estate market, or if the property takes longer to sell because it is overpriced or not well marketed.

Insurance is something you can be looking into while you take care of all the other steps necessary to start your home staging business.

Don't let the fear of possibly damaging someone's property one day get in the way of you becoming a home stager.

Every entrepreneur worries about liability at some point, and you can get coverage to protect you. It's not terribly expensive especially if having it will give you the peace of mind to move forward in your business.

It's also helpful to keep some perspective and not get overwhelmed with worry about worst-case scenarios that are not that likely to occur. The typical things that might go wrong while you're staging are things you wouldn't likely bother making an insurance claim for. For example, if you broke a vase, you would replace it. If you scratched a floor you would fix it. Now that doesn't mean you have to put in a new floor! Have you ever had a mover scratch a hardwood floor? They fix it by coloring in the scratch with a marker designed for that purpose. That's also what they do with scratches to furniture.

In the hundreds of homes I've staged, I've never run into a situation where I've broken something irreplaceable. Most of your clients will accept that if you damage something, you'll take care of it.

Small things are more likely to happen than major catastrophes. If you're careful not to place breakables where they can be knocked over, and to be sure you don't leave candles burning when nobody's home so there's not an accident waiting to happen, you'll probably be okay. Given that insurance premiums go up with any claim, you're only going to make a claim for something significant, anything else you'll deal with directly with your clients.


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Have you Suffered a Loss Due to Fire, Flood, Natural Disaster, etc.?

The difference between a Settlement ( at possibly a fraction of your loss) and recovery of your investment could well be your decision to let a professional navigate the intricate and rigorous steps required to prove the extent of your loss to your insurance company.

Your Insurance Company's Adjuster can handle the claim, but your policy requires that you prove the value of your loss. If you do not have the expert leadership of a public adjusting firm you may end up accepting a settlement that is actually far less than the loss you have suffered.

An insurance Company adjuster is retained, paid and instructed by the insurance company, not by you. He might be happy to settle your claim. He might offer what appears to be a quick, efficient and painless settlement. But you may end up with less than what you consider to be the full value for your loss.

That is where a professional property-loss recovery consultant, sometimes call a public adjuster can make the difference.

A property-loss consultant works for you, the insured. Their knowledge and expertise will net you the maximum reasonable recovery you are entitled to receive under the provisions of your policy. This saves you time and money, because they know the exacting demands required to prepare your claim correctly. A thorough, accurate claim will be processed quickly, and this usually means a faster, more generous check to you.

A Professional Property-Loss Consultant has a vested interest in providing you with optimum results because they get paid when you do. Their fee, is usually based on a small percentage of your total settlement. And, because they will obtain a greater reimbursement than you would working alone, is actually absorbed by this healthier settlement-so the service can end up costing you nothing.

Public Adjusters are Experts at documentation. Professional Documentation ensures your greatest recovery.

Here are a few key questions: Will your interpretation of the loss and damage be the same as the insurance company's adjusters? Am I skilled in documentation and evaluation?

Public Adjusters are trained to document, prepare, and present your claim so that you get the full advantage of your policies protection.

A Professional Property-Loss Consultant will fully examine all of the technical provisions of your policy to make sure that you get maximum benefit from the coverage you have purchased. An adjuster is a Fact Finding Professional.. they will make on site inspections and thoroughly document your loss, including inventory, building damage, loss of income, and other kinds of losses, in order to be certain nothing is left out.

After you review and approve the documentation being submitted, the Property-Loss Consultant will meet with your insurance company's representative to present and explain your claim in great detail. This personal service and a Consultants Professional Reputation for accuracy and fairness will often spell the difference between simply surviving your loss and actually recovering from it.

Property Loss Consultants are not attorneys, however, many attorneys recommend their professional assistance in property claim settlements.

Public Adjusters specialize in the adjustment of property losses. When appropriate, they work directly with your attorney, who is your best authority on legal questions. Your attorney will appreciate the fact that we can provide him with clear, concise, and complete documentation of the loss. This allows your lawyer to represent your legal interest more effectively.



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Before starting the next home improvement or renovation project, it is crucial to have the right insurance in place for the job. Accidents can happen at any time so contractor insurance is essential to have. Most home and business owners will check to make sure everyone they hire has the appropriate coverage so not having it could jeopardize the success of your business.

When looking for the right coverage, it is important to know what coverage various insurance companies offer. Good policies will provide general liability insurance to protect against potential lawsuits, builders risk insurance, and coverage for tools and equipment used. Some policies will even include surety bonds which are designed to protect both the contractor and the property owner should either party default on payment or services.

Surety bonds will go a long way in making property owners comfortable with hiring your company for construction and renovations. These bonds keep both parties honest. They not only protect the contractor against consumer claims, but also protect the consumer against any losses incurred by delays and problems caused during the project. Be sure to ask your insurance agent about this type of coverage.

Other bonds that are vital to have are performance bonds, bid bonds, and payment bonds. These are not required by law in every state, so your insurance agent will need to inform you if it is necessary. Even if they are not required, it is a good idea to have them. They will make both the customer and your employees feel comfortable knowing that every area of the contract is protected.

Getting contractor insurance coverage is a smart move and will add credibility to any contracting business. It could make the difference between getting a project or not. Sometimes it may even be required before receiving a license. Contact an insurance agent today to find out more about this type of coverage.



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Many entrepreneurs have a unique skill that will allow their business to succeed, but very rarely is it business insurance expertise. Most small business owners venture out to prove that they are the best in what they do. However, there are often many areas of managing a business that are neglected only because of lack of knowledge and specific experience. Too many small companies fail maintain adequate business insurance coverage simply because it is often misunderstood, so it is imperative that several things are made clear and easy to understand.

The first type of business insurance is liability coverage, and it's also often seen as the most important as well. There is a fair amount of risk associated with doing business and the result is the presence of potential lawsuits virtually every day. Business liability insurance provides protection in the event of any injuries or damage done to clients, employees, or property. There are many different limits available, but one million dollars in liability coverage is usually considered to be typical.

One lawsuit can completely wipe out an unprotected company. While such legal actions may not completely be avoided, taking the necessary steps to secure protection will help ensure that the business will not be so severely negatively impacted that bankruptcy is the only option. Many clients will not work with a company that is not properly insured, and it's actually required by law in many areas as well.

The second type of business insurance is property coverage and although it may not be mandatory, it absolutely should not be viewed as optional. Retail stores carry business property insurance to protect their inventories and their actual location and property. Other businesses carry such insurance for inventory or materials required to complete jobs or orders. Anything that can burn or be stolen must be covered by an appropriate business property insurance policy. Few companies can afford to continually replace materials, so it is imperative that all property is protected.

Entrepreneurs are often focused on the bottom line and attempt to cut costs wherever possible. However, failing to adequately insure a business can cause significant financial damage or even bankruptcy. Many policies can be catered to the exact needs of a company and it truly doesn't have to be expensive. Selecting higher deductibles may be a good choice for a small business that can handle minor losses, but needs coverage for major catastrophes. A lot of business premiums are based on the type of activity done on a daily basis, so it is imperative that the company is appropriately described and the potential level of risk is accurate. The best way to save money is to compare multiple quotes online as this has proven to be the most effective method to get a great deal on business insurance.



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