What Is Business Income Coverage? (2024)

Understanding the Business Income Definition

Business income insurance, sometimes known as business interruption insurance, helps cover the loss of business income if you can’t operate because of a covered peril. Covered causes of loss can include things like:

  • Fire
  • Theft
  • Wind

What Is Business Income Coverage? (1)For example, say yourrestaurant’s kitchen catches on fire. As a result, you must close your business while you repair the damaged property. This insurance can help cover your lost income and expenses during this time.

To fully understand your business income insurance coverage definition, you’ll need to understand these key terms:

  • Actual loss sustained: This refers to the monetary payment you receive from insurance covering the actual loss of income to your business.
  • Business income: This includes any income that would result from regular business activity.
  • Period of restoration: The amount of time that your business is unable to operate after a loss.
  • Waiting period: The amount of time that must pass following a covered cause of loss before business income coverage begins.
  • Extra expense: In some cases, you may encounter extra expenses when your business is temporarily closed for repairs and you have to move. This can also include the cost of expedited shipping on a replacement order of your business’ inventory.
  • Service interruption/contingent business interruption (CBI): This refers to the interruption in your operation or the shutting down of your business due to a property your business depends on suffers a loss or if your company loses power because of damage to the utility company’s property.
  • Interruption by civil authority: When natural disasters strike, civil authorities may order evacuations. You may have to shut down your operation as a result. Depending on your policy, your business income insurance can help cover your lost income when you’re interrupted by civil or military authorities.

What Does a Business Income Policy Cover?

Your business income coverage, also known as business interruption coverage or extra expense coverage, can cover lost income when you need to close your business suddenly. This coverage applies an extra layer of protection beyond general commercial property insurance.

Your policy can also include extended business income coverage to help protect your business from a slowdown after your business reopens.

For example, it took four months to repair your restaurant after the kitchen fire. After you reopen, you have lower sales than before the fire shut down your restaurant. Extended business income can help cover your lost income due to the slowdown after you reopen.

Examples of Business Income Coverage

To better understand how business income coverage can help replace your lost income, consider these scenarios:

  • Your candy shop is in an attached building. A fire breaks out in the store next to yours and it spreads to your business. As a result, you have to shut down to repair the damages.
  • After you close your computer store for the day, thieves break in and steal valuable inventory. As a result, you have to temporarily shut down while you replace your inventory.
  • A hurricane hits in your area, causing extensive wind damage to the building where you operate your sports equipment store. As a result, you must shut down your operation to repair the damages.

The payout amounts you receive on your business income coverage are based on your business’ income and expense records. As a business owner, you should store these records in a safe location. You may even want to store them off-site or in digital locations.

What Is Not Covered by Business Income?

Business income insurance won’t help cover lost income in the event of:

  • Closures from inoperable power lines. Adding an endorsem*nt to your policy can help cover this.
  • Losses from closures caused by damages not covered under your insurance policy.
  • Income that isn’t documented.

It’s important to note that business income insurance may not also cover all of your business’ utilities.

What Is Business Income Coverage? (2024)

FAQs

What does business income coverage do? ›

​​​​​​​Business income coverage provides insurance for the loss of business income due to damage to physical property during a covered event. While the business is being repaired, called the restoration period, business income coverage will help pay for additional expenses and lost income.

What is included in business income? ›

Business Income is generally defined as the net income (net profit or loss) plus normal continuing operating expenses.

Is business income insurance worth it? ›

Yes, business income coverage can help pay your operating expenses, like payroll, while you're shut down temporarily from a covered loss.

What is the meaning of business coverage? ›

In essence, business income coverage is a form of insurance that protects a business in the event of a covered incident or event. It helps companies recover their losses due to a disruption in services and provides reimbursem*nt for operating expenses.

What is the monthly limitation on business income? ›

Monthly limit of indemnity—suspends the coinsurance and will pay the business income for 3, 4 or 6 months depending on the selection made. Each month 1/3, 1/4 or 1/6 of the business limit of liability may be available to pay for the business income loss of that month.

How is business income calculated? ›

Subtract your business's expenses and operating costs from your total revenue. This calculates your business's earnings before tax. Deduct taxes from this amount to find you business's net income. Your net income will be your business income.

What qualifies for business income? ›

QBI is the net amount of qualified items of income, gain, deduction, and loss from any qualified trade or business, including income from partnerships, S corporations, sole proprietorships, and certain trusts.

What is not covered by business interruption insurance? ›

Business interruption does not typically cover damages or losses from flooding, earthquakes, and mudslides, although consumers can purchase additional coverages for these specific perils. Exclusions from coverage include losses unrelated to property damage, such as lost revenues due to viral outbreaks or pandemics.

How much income can a small business make without paying taxes? ›

How much can a side business make before paying taxes? Individuals who have earned at least $400 in annual side hustle income may have to report that income to the IRS on Schedule SE. Self-employment taxes may apply if you've had net earnings of at least $400 from self-employment during the 2024 tax year.

Why do small business owners need insurance? ›

As a general rule, you should insure against things you wouldn't be able to pay for on your own. This coverage protects against financial loss as the result of bodily injury, property damage, medical expenses, libel, slander, defending lawsuits, and settlement bonds or judgments.

Why is my business insurance so high? ›

Businesses operating in high-risk areas with higher crime rates may pay more for liability insurance. Size of payroll and annual revenue. The higher your expenses or operating costs, the more you can expect to pay for liability insurance. Claims history.

What triggers a business interruption claim? ›

Business interruption coverage typically can only be triggered if you have direct physical property loss that leads to the business interruption – for example, a fire or flood damaging your property that has caused you to suspend your business activities.

What is included in business income coverage? ›

Business income insurance includes coverage to help replace lost income if your business needs to shut down its operations after a loss occurs. It does not include coverage to repair physical damage to your business.

What type of insurance should you choose? ›

Most experts agree that life, health, long-term disability, and auto insurance are the four types of insurance you must have. Employer coverage is often the best option, but if that is unavailable, obtain quotes from several providers as many provide discounts if you purchase more than one type of coverage.

What is covered under business insurance? ›

Business insurance can help pay the costs of property damage, lawsuits, lost business income and other covered losses. To help protect against specific risks unique to their situation, businesses often buy multiple coverages and combine several in one policy.

What is the purpose of business liability coverage? ›

Business liability insurance helps cover the cost of injury and property damage claims against a business. It can help pay for medical care, repairing or replacing damaged property and legal fees for covered claims. A liability policy may also cover costs related to errors or misstatements in advertising.

What is the primary purpose of business income coverage is to indemnify the insured for? ›

Business income and extra expense insurance (BIEE) provides coverage when your business shuts down temporarily due to a fire or other covered loss. It helps replace your income and covered expenses like rent, payroll and other financial responsibilities while your property is being repaired or replaced.

What does the business auto coverage form provide coverage for? ›

A business automobile policy (BAP) provides coverage for a company's use of cars, trucks, vans, and other vehicles in the course of carrying out its business. Coverage may include vehicles owned or leased by the company, hired by the company, or employee-owned vehicles used for business purposes.

What is the difference between rental income and business income? ›

The difference between business income and rental income is whether or not services are provided. Simple maintenance of the property is not providing services. An example of a business would be running a motel where you would provide laundry services. Another might be a BnB where you provide meals.

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