Business owner’s policy for human and social services organizations

If your human and social services organization owns property, such as a nursing home's building or office equipment, a business owner’s policy is your best line of defense. A BOP bundles commercial property insurance and general liability insurance under one plan, covering both property damage and client injuries.

This policy protects against:

• Damage to business property
• Client injuries and property damage
• Advertising injuries
• Forced closure

Business owners of human and social services organizations can customize a BOP to meet their specific needs. For social services, useful add-ons might include business interruption insurance to cover costs if your facility is forced to temporarily close.

Social services organizations also can often add professional liability insurance to their BOP to gain coverage against allegations of mistakes or negligence.

Organizations that are eligible for a BOP usually:

• Have fewer than 100 employees
• Have a small office or workplace
• Make less than $1 million in annual revenue
• Operate in a low-risk industry
• Need less than 12 months of business interruption insurance

Speak with a licensed Insureon agent who specializes in social services business insurance to find out if your organization meets the criteria for a BOP.

The commercial property insurance included in a business owner’s policy can pay for damage to:

• Business equipment, including computers
• Office furniture and furnishings
• Your building if you own it

If your foster care center, group home, or other social services business is damaged by a fire – even one that originated in another building – this policy can cover the cost of repairs and renovation. It also covers theft, vandalism, and damage from certain weather-related causes.

The general liability portion of a BOP can cover expenses related to third-party injuries or property damage. That includes medical expenses, the cost of repairing a damaged item, or legal costs if someone sues over an accident. For instance, it can provide coverage when:

• An after-school youth program instructor accidentally drops a parent’s smartphone
• A delivery person slips on a wet floor at your adoption agency office
• A client trips on the front step at your senior center

The general liability portion of this policy also offers protection against advertising injuries. That includes:

• Defamation suits (libel and slander)
• Copyright and brand infringement

For example, if a staff member at your daycare center writes a negative comment about a competitor on social media and your center is sued for libel, general liability insurance can pay for your legal expenses.

If your organization is forced to close temporarily due to vandalism, a fire, or other disruption, you might have to pay your usual operating costs despite the closure. Business interruption insurance, which is usually included in a BOP, can cover the rent on your commercial space, utilities, employee wages, and other day-to-day expenses.

A business owner’s policy offers basic liability and property protection, but it doesn’t cover every risk. Human and social services professionals should also consider:

Professional liability insurance: This policy is also known as errors and omissions insurance or malpractice insurance. It can help cover legal expenses if an organization is sued for mistakes or negligence, such as a senior center sued for failing to recognize a senior’s disability.

Directors and officers insurance: D&O insurance protects board members and officers against legal expenses if they are sued for mismanagement of funds or poor decisions that cause financial loss.

Workers’ compensation insurance: This policy is required in nearly every state for human and social services organizations that have employees. It can cover medical costs and partial lost wages for work-related injuries and illnesses.

Commercial auto insurance: State laws require this policy for business-owned vehicles. It covers costs related to accidents involving company vehicles, such as a van owned by an after-school youth program.

Are you ready to safeguard your human and social services organization with a business owner’s policy? Complete Insureon’s easy online application today. Once you find the right policy, you can begin coverage in less than 24 hours.