​Today’s workforce is changing. A recent study by Accenture estimates that by the year 2020, 40% of America’s total workforce will consist of sole proprietors and independent contractors. While we’ve addressed that in a past article, we need to take a closer look at trends in the workforce today. Today it’s all about the “Side Hustle”. With the popularity of guru’s like Gary Vaynerchuk, more and more Americans are making the decision to work hard now to provide for a secure future.

Bankrate estimates that over 44 million Americans now have a “Side Hustle”, that’s 1 in 2 millenials, and one in 4 baby boomers. As more people see the benefits of creating their perfect side job, we see that many are working as independent contractors, or self employed business owners. At any rate, if you have what can legitimately be called a “side hustle”, you are more than likely pretty passionate about it . . . or at least passionate about the benefits like freedom from debt and financial independence you hope it brings.

Maybe you want to be the next Microsoft, Apple, Google, or Facebook and build an empire in whatever industry your side hustle is in, or you just want to earn some extra money on the side, whatever your purpose, you’re working hard to get it done in order to reach a certain goal.

While you’re putting in the hours and burning the candle at both ends, more times than not people forget to protect their ideas. They don’t take the time to make sure they have the proper insurance to protect their small business, or side hustle, or even worse . . . their home and personal assets.

Let’s take a look at what steps are necessary to protect yourself from the big risk that may not be your favorite part of owning a small business and working for yourself.

No matter what your side hustle happens to be, whether it’s blogging, freelance work, carpentry, or anything in between, your side gig should be considered a small business and as such, you need insurance. Just like with every individual, not all small businesses are created the same and each one has it’s own specific needs to consider.
Here are some types of professional insurance your small business might need.

• Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) – A BOP is a package policy that usually includes all of the coverages a typical small business owner might need. It generally includes general liability, personal/advertising injury, vehicle coverage, business interruption, and crime to name a few. These can be customized to fit your needs, whether you’re a plumber picking up side work, or a freelance graphic designer. This is a good place to start when looking to find the right coverage.
• Professional Liability Insurance – Every small business needs professional liability insurance, typically called E&O (Errors and Omissions) coverage. This covers claims and lawsuits against your business due to negligence, mistakes, or failure to perform. If your business causes any kind of bodily injury, or property damage to a customer, partner, or a third party, your business could be sued for a very large amount. Professional Liability Insurance protects your business and personal assets in case of a lawsuit.
• Property Insurance – This has to deal with your business’s property in protecting it from physical damage from fire, theft, storms, natural disasters, and many other causes. If you own or lease equipment, space, inventory, or furniture, Property Insurance is very important to have.
• Vehicle Insurance – Your personal auto insurance may not cover business use of your vehicles, check your policy. Commercial auto insurance protects any business owned vehicles used for business purposes. This also applies to employees who use their own car for business purposes such as delivering goods or services.
• Product Liability Insurance – If you make, or sell a product, any consumer may sue you if that product causes and harm, or damage. Product Liability insurance covers costs associated with lawsuits or settlements related to a defect in your product. It can also cover costs related to product recalls or discontinued products. These policies can be tailored to specific industries, or products. Risks involved with selling food products are different than durable goods.
• Workers’ Compensation Insurance – If you have one employee, or more you need workers’ compensation insurance. This protects you and your employees in case of an injury on the job. It can be anything from an accident like a fall that causes broken bones, or a repetitive motion injury like carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Cyber Liability Insurance – This protects you if your computer systems and software are hacked and customer’s personal information is exposed. If you’re attacked in any way that compromises your clients’ personal information, they could sue you for breach of privacy. Cyber liability insurance can help cover the costs of lawsuits or settlements. It can also cover notification costs, credit monitoring, data retrieving, fines and penalties, legal defense, and personal and client loss from identity theft.

Right now you a probably thinking that this is an awful lot of insurance for a side hustle. You’re right, a lot can happen when you own a business. There is a lot at risk. But the reason you’re doing it is because you know that you have to risk it to reach your goals, but don’t forget to protect everything you’re working for!

Don’t be discouraged and overwhelmed. Many of these coverages, and more, can be found in package policies tailors specifically for your industry. C. Pina Insurance works with companies such as Hiscox, and Tokio Marine who specialize in small and micro-businesses and artisan contractors. Get in touch to discuss your side hustle and see how simple and affordable we can make protecting your dream.
#sidehustle
​#sidehustleinsurance

No matter what type of pet you may have, chances are that they are a close member of the family. It’s responsible pet ownership to do a little bit of research about proper care and feeding to keep him, or her safe and healthy. Plants are used to beautify our property and increase that “curb appeal”, but they can also be toxic. Common houseplants, found in many homes are toxic, poisonous, and dangerous to pets. Also, there are many found in your local garden centers that are sold for outdoor planting can be dangerous.

Not Just Your Garden Variety Hazard
Here is a list of outdoor plants that are common throughout the country. Outdoor cats, dogs in the backyard, out on walks (or even escapees) can be harmed if they are exposed to these plants. Yes, most of them need to be eaten, some can cause harm through licking, or sniffing. We want to help you learn about these plants so that you can do everything you can to protect your family pets as well as your neighbor’s.

• CROCUS – Most especially the “autumn crocus”, which is quite popular, when eaten can result in bloody vomiting, oral irritation, shock, diarrhea, and damage to multiple organs, as well as suppression of bone marrow.
• LILIES – There are many different types of lilies, and while not every lily will send your dog to the emergency veterinary hospital, it is important to avoid them whenever possible. So far the poisonous component of this plant has not been identified by veterinarians, but it is highly toxic to cats in particular. Severe kidney damage has been the result of ingesting even very small amounts of this toxic plant
• OLEANDER – A common bush that is used frequently in landscaping, the oleander is considered to be extremely toxic. All parts of the plant contain something known as “cardiac glycosides,” which can cause serious damage to all kinds of pets, including irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, hypothermia, abnormal heart functions and death.
• TULIPS – Beautiful springtime flowers, these common outdoor plants contain toxins that can begin with stomach irritation, drooling and a loss of appetite, but end up resulting in convulsions, cardiac problems and a depression of the central nervous system. The bulb is the most dangerous part of this plant.
• AZALEA – Also known as the “Rhododendron”, these plants contain grayantoxins, which can cause severe symptoms, including drooling, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting and central nervous system depression.
• CHRYSANTHEMUM – A very popular plant both outdoors and indoors, this plant causes drooling, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach upset if eaten, as well as loss of coordination and extreme depression if much is consumed.

Be Careful With Indoor Plants
Many people have these toxic plants in their house and don’t even realize it. That’s because they are sold in retail stores and garden shops without any warnings about the danger they can pose to pets. People often have plants at home and don’t even consider that they may be dangerous. There are many more in addition to the ones listed here, its up to you to do your research and find pet safe plants onlilne.

• CYCLAMEN – This species of plant is so named because it contains cyclamine. The most dangerous part of the plant is the roots, however the entire plant can be toxic if ingested. Symptoms include intense vomiting and gastrointestinal irritation, however this plant can also be fatal.
• KALANCHOE – You might not recognize the name of this plant, but you would recognize it if you saw it. This succulent houseplant contains components that can be toxic to the heart, affecting the heart rate and rhythm.
• SAGO PALM – A common houseplant palm, this plant is completely poisonous, but the nuts or seeds that it produces contain the most toxins. Just one or two seeds can cause seizures, liver failure, extreme diarrhea and vomiting.
• SCHEFFLERA – Also known as “umbrella trees”, these plants contain toxic crystals that can cause irritation in the mouth, excessive drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing.
• ENGLISH IVY – There are many common names for the English ivy plant, including branching, glacier, needlepoint, California and sweetheart. Whatever you call it, pets who ingest this can experience excessive drooling, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea.
• MARIJUANA – With more and more states legalizing this plant, emergency veterinary hospital clinics are seeing more patients coming in with toxic symptoms. Ingestion can lead to coordination issues, severe vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, rapid heart rate, seizures and can even put your pet in a coma.

If you have any questions about toxic plants or other types of hazardous materials, contact your veterinarian right away! Pet insurance through C. Pina Insurance Agency can help you be prepared for the expense of urgent care, unexpected mishaps, or even preventative care. Call Craig Pina today at (508) 557-8224

Please see out Pet Insurance page for more information.