Protect your business: 7 types of insurance coverage Starting a small business is all about possibilities, optimism and promise. But it should also be a time for ensuring protection and security. And that makes a comprehensive package of insurance essential for all small businesses. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The first thing you need to do is to turn off your spigot of unbridled hope for the moment and insurance quotes free online insurance quotes free online instead pinpoint just what might go wrong. While that may seem a bit macabre, it's an essential step in identifying those sorts of insurance risks that you'll ultimately have to tackle. "I call it pre-Pearl Harbor risk assessment," says Steve Harper, a professor of management at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. "If, for instance, you run a floral shop, look at every facet of risk individual dental insurance plans insurance quotes free online - lawsuits from people slipping on water, auto safety, people using sharp objects to cut flowers." Don't limit your risk assessment to what you see yourself. Harper encourages entrepreneurs to have at least two insurance agents conduct their own risk analysis of your business (it's free, so don't be gun-shy about getting two or more analyses). Try to hook up with insurance professionals who have worked with catestophic health insurance insurance quotes free online your sort of business and are experienced in identifying what you need to insure and how much coverage is prudent. Additionally, check with your local town hall or state insurance office, as some communities and states mandate particular forms of insurance coverage. Although insurance needs vary widely from one business to the next, here's a quick checklist of policies you'll want to consider. Business owner coverage. Otherwise known american dental insurance insurance quotes free online as "catch-all" coverage, business