From the cover of the risks of damage suffered or caused to third parties, to cover for operating losses and IT risks, insurance contracts, even optional ones, may prove indispensable.
1. Property insurance
First major category of insurance for companies: coverage of potential external risks. Flood, fire, theft threaten premises, equipment or stocks. Against this damage, specific insurance must be subscribed, not mandatory but unavoidable. “Attention, if the company is a tenant of its premises – offices, factory, warehouse – it must be obligatory to take out insurance to cover the damages related to the real estates and its responsibility of occupation. This obligation appears in the law n ° 89- 462 of July 6, 1989 “, warns Damien Palladian department manager in the Directorate of Business Services, at the broker insurance Verspieren.
In the event of a claim, the company manager will make a declaration to his Property insurance company within a legal period recalled by the contract (from two to five days, depending on the risks), or immediately for important events (fire, natural disaster). , storm, burglary …). The amount of compensation then depends on the value of the property guaranteed, this is why we must not forget to warn your insurer when the scope of the property to be insured changes during the year (purchase of new machines, takeover of another site …), nor to check what are the damages actually covered. Companies that have a cyclical activity resulting in a significant change in product inventories should mention this specificity to their insurer to be better covered in case of damage. The value of the stocks is then established by their largest annual amount and regularized at the end of the year.
2. Insurance of operating losses
Too many SMEs neglect this insurance, not mandatory, which is, however, a great help in case of a disaster making it impossible to continue their activity. Pending the restart of the production tool, this insurance covers the fixed costs of the company (salaries, repayment of loan interest) and the additional costs incurred by the search for solutions to find the fastest possible a regular rhythm of activity (rental of offices, use of subcontractors.
The company defines the period allowing it to regain its financial equilibrium. This period of at least one year can be up to two or even three years.
3. Vehicle insurance
There are two parts to vehicle insurance: firstly, third-party liability, which is mandatory for all companies, and covers the damage caused by vehicles used by the company in carrying out its business. vehicle damage insurance and possible extensions for goods transported Too many companies think to insure their car fleet, but forget to insure the vehicles not circulating on the public road, like the handling equipment “, explains Damien Palladian.
The premium varies according to the number of covered vehicles, listed in a closed list (except in the case of large companies). The principle of compensation is the same as for individuals.
4. Computing risk insurance
This essential insurance for companies that handle a lot of computer data (IT services companies, consulting firms, travel agencies, online sales companies) covers computers but also databases and recovery costs if they are lost or damaged. “Even an industrialist facing a major computer failure risks being penalized for keeping his commitments to his customers and for not being able to deliver on time.’Business has an interest in assessing the impact that IT can have on its business,’ says Damien Palandjian.
5. Environmental risk insurance
“An enterprise that does not have an industrial or storage site and is not subject to a pre-authorization for pollution risks may cover its environmental risk through its general liability contract, but if it is subject to prefectural authorization to carry out its activity, it must subscribe a specific contract to cover environmental damage, “says Damien Palandjian
Safeguards for environmental damage (extensions of professional civil liability or specific contracts such as environmental liability insurance) are essential for companies whose activity can harm the environment (air pollution, water pollution, soils, and groundwater, reached protected sites). These insurances are based on the “polluter pays” principle: the head of the company must make good the damage caused by his company. According to the contracts, the insurance covers depollution, damage assessment costs, studies to determine repair actions and administrative or judicial costs.
