Why Small Business Owners Need Business Income Insurance

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Return To: North Carolina Business Insurance – The Ultimate Guide 

As a business owner, you understand the importance of protecting your business from potential risks. One such type of risk is business income loss, which can occur due to unexpected events like natural disasters or business interruption. Business income coverage can provide a financial safeguard against these types of situations, helping to protect both your business and your livelihood.

In this article, we will discuss the importance of business income insurance and why small business owners should consider it.

What Is Business Income Insurance And How Does It Work

Business income insurance (also known as business interruption insurance) is a type of business insurance that helps protect business owners from financial losses related to unexpected business interruptions. Businesses rely on their day-to-day operations and any disruption to those operations can be financially devastating.

Business income coverage provides protection for business owners by replacing normal operating expenses such as: loss of business income and continuing business expenses such as wages, taxes, and other business-related costs. This coverage helps business owners maintain stability during a disruption, so they can get back to business as usual quickly without suffering major financial losses.

Business income insurance typically covers the business’s net earnings (gross revenue minus operating expenses). The primary cause of business interruption covered by business income insurance is usually a covered cause of loss like property damage caused by risks such as floods, fires, power outages, and other business-related disruptions.

With appropriate business interruption coverage in place, businesses can avoid major financial losses resulting from a loss of business income caused by unexpected events, allowing them to focus on running their businesses successfully by having the funds available to cover continuing normal operating expenses.

Is Business Interruption Insurance The Same As Business Income Insurance?

Yes, business interruption insurance is also called business income insurance.

The Benefits Of Having Business Income Insurance

Businesses of all sizes, from sole proprietorships to a limited liability company in North Carolina to large corporations, need business income coverage. This type of insurance provides protection against financial losses caused by business interruption and/or disaster.

Here are some of the key benefits of having a business income coverage policy:

Protects Your Financial Assets

Businesses face unexpected risks every day. No matter how prepared you are for potential disasters, an unforeseen event can still cause damage or interrupt operations. Having business income insurance will help protect your business’s financial assets so that if an incident occurs, you’ll have the money to continue business operations as usual.

Helps Avoid Bankruptcy

Without business income coverage, a business interruption could be catastrophic for your business and lead to bankruptcy. Having business income insurance can help protect you from this possibility by providing financial resources that can help you keep afloat during difficult times.

Reimbursement of Losses

Business income coverage can help reimburse losses in the event of a business interruption or disaster. This keeps your business financially secure and allows for continued operations with minimal disruption.

As you can see, business income coverage is an important part of a business’s overall risk management strategy. Without it, your business could be left vulnerable in the event of a disaster or business interruption.

Is Business Interruption Insurance Taxable?

Yes, business interruption insurance proceeds are generally taxable if the business shows profits for the tax period.

Given the importance of business interruption insurance, it’s no surprise that questions about its taxability have been raised.  The tax treatment from the Internal Revenue Service differs greatly from the tax treatment for insurance proceeds from property losses.

Internal Revenue Service Code (IRC 61) defines “gross income” as ALL income received regardless of the source derived unless excluded by law.

The insurance proceeds are treated as income, but the business will likely still incur most (if not all) of its normal operating expenses as well as the possible extra expense associated with continuing normal operations.  In many cases, the increased extra expense could actually reduce profits and thus reduce what is owed on the business’ corporate income tax return.

Business owners should always check with their insurer and tax advisor for more details about whether they’ll have to pay income tax on these insurance proceeds.

Additionally, it’s important to review the business policy wording carefully to understand what business income coverage is included, as this can vary from one business to another.

The Final Verdict – Why Small Business Owners Need Business Income Insurance

Business income coverage is a vital part of any business’s risk management strategy and can help protect business owners against unexpected financial losses due to business interruption or disaster.

It is important to understand both the benefits and potential tax liabilities from the Internal Revenue Service associated with business income insurance so that businesses can make an informed decision about whether it’s right for them. If you’re looking for business income coverage, be sure to consult your insurance advisor and your tax advisor for more information and guidance.