Cake Business Insurance: Protect Your Bakery

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Protecting your bakery is crucial, and cake business insurance is a vital part of that. The average cost of a bakery insurance policy can range from $500 to $2,000 per year, depending on factors such as the size of your business and the type of coverage you need.

Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, and a single incident can put your entire business at risk. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the food service industry has one of the highest rates of workplace injuries and illnesses.

Having the right insurance coverage can help you recover from unexpected events and keep your business running smoothly. Cake business insurance can provide financial protection against liability, property damage, and other risks that may impact your bakery.

What Is Cake Business Insurance?

Cake business insurance is a special type of small business insurance customized to protect owners of bakeries and cake shops. It covers financial losses that befall the business due to specified perils stated in the policy.

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Bakeries have to be prepared for a wide range of risks, including employee injuries and accidents in company-owned vehicles. This insurance provides tailored coverage to help mitigate these risks.

At biBERK, you can purchase a cake business insurance policy, manage it, and report claims online for ultimate convenience. This saves time and effort for busy cake shop owners.

Only specific perils stated in the policy will be covered by the insurance company, and policies come with a list of specified non-covered perils. This means you need to carefully review your policy to understand what's included and what's not.

With cake business insurance, you can enjoy savings of up to 20% on your premiums compared to traditional insurance providers. This is a significant advantage for small business owners like cake shop owners.

Types of Coverage

Bakeries need several forms of coverage to protect them in case something goes wrong. This includes coverage for the structure of the building, the owner, customers, and employees.

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Workers' compensation insurance is required by law in most states for businesses with more than one employee. About 44% of all bakeries have more than one employee. This type of insurance reimburses for medical treatment of employees who get injured on the job.

Unemployment insurance is already included in your state taxes. Once you've established and registered your bakery with your state's workforce agency, they'll begin taxing you, and your business will be covered. This insurance provides temporary financial assistance to workers who unexpectedly lose their job through no fault of their own.

Disability insurance is required by law in California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Puerto Rico. Otherwise, it's optional. This type of insurance pays part of an employee's income if they can't work due to illness or injury.

Here are the main types of coverage needed by bakeries:

  • Workers’ compensation
  • Unemployment insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • Commercial vehicle insurance

Main Types of Coverage Needed by Bakeries

As a bakery owner, you'll want to make sure you have the right insurance coverage to protect your business. Workers' compensation insurance is a must-have, as it reimburses for medical treatment of employees who get injured on the job.

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About 44% of all bakeries have more than one employee, so it's likely you'll need to purchase workers' compensation insurance. You can buy it through your state or a commercial insurance provider.

Unemployment insurance is another type of coverage you'll need. It's already included in your state taxes, but you'll need to register your bakery with your state's workforce agency to take advantage of it. Unemployment insurance provides temporary financial assistance to workers who unexpectedly lose their job through no fault of their own.

Disability insurance is also important, as it pays part of an employee's income if they can't work due to illness or injury. Some states, like California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Puerto Rico, require disability insurance by law.

If your bakery offers catering and delivery services, you'll need commercial vehicle insurance. This coverage meets your state's minimum liability requirements and protects your business in case of an accident.

Here are the main types of coverage needed by bakeries:

  • Workers' compensation insurance
  • Unemployment insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • Commercial vehicle insurance

What Isn't Covered?

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As you're shopping for bakery insurance, it's essential to know what's not covered. Employee dishonesty is a common exclusion, leaving business owners vulnerable to financial loss.

Some bakery equipment, like steam boilers, may not be protected against breakdowns. Routine maintenance fees are also typically not covered.

Flood damage and earthquake damage are two perils that are often excluded from bakery insurance policies. You might be surprised to learn that robbery is also not covered.

Other exclusions include pollution, temperature/humidity changes, and inexplicably lost inventory. Power failure is only covered if it causes damage to computer systems.

Here's a list of some common exclusions to keep in mind:

  • Employee dishonesty
  • Breakdown of appliances such as steam boilers
  • General wear and tear of equipment
  • Routine maintenance fees
  • Earthquake damage
  • Nuclear reaction and war
  • Power failure (unless it causes damage to computer systems)
  • Robbery
  • Pollution
  • Temperature/humidity changes
  • Inexplicably lost inventory
  • Flood damage

Your independent insurance agent can help you determine what additional coverages you may need to fill in the gaps.

Cost and Discounts

The cost of cake business insurance can vary depending on several factors, including your location, business size, and claims history.

On average, bakery owners across the US pay about $65-$79 monthly for a business owners policy, which translates to a median annual premium of $864.

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The type of cake business you have, such as a small home-based operation or a large commercial bakery, will also impact your insurance costs.

Here are some common discounts offered on bakery insurance policies:

  • New/updated construction discount: Your property insurance coverage could receive a premium discount if your bakery's building was recently built or updated.
  • Safe premises discount: You could receive a discount on the liability portion of your coverage if your bakery provides especially safe premises to prevent customer injury.
  • Annual premium discount: You could qualify for a discount on your bakery insurance if you opt to pay your premiums annually in one lump sum, rather than monthly installments.
  • Security systems discount: Your bakery might qualify for discounted property coverage if your building is equipped with security measures like burglar alarms or cameras.
  • Formal safety plan discount: Your workers' comp coverage could be discounted if your bakery provides a formal safety plan to help avoid employee injury, sickness, and death.
  • Insurance package discount: You're likely to save quite a bit on your bakery insurance if you shop for a special packaged product of all the protections you need, vs. purchasing each required type of coverage separately.

How Much?

The cost of bakery insurance can vary depending on several factors.

On average, bakery owners across the US pay about $65-$79 monthly for a business owners policy, which translates to a median annual premium of $864.

Additional coverages can increase the cost, but starting with a business owners policy provides a discounted rate for combined property and liability coverage.

The type of bakery, including the equipment used, affects the risk involved in operations, which in turn affects the insurance cost.

Larger cities tend to have higher costs for insurance due to increased risks such as weather-related events.

Bakeries along the coast may have premiums up to 20% higher than in other areas of the state due to the increased threat of hurricane damage.

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The number of employees also impacts the cost, as more employees mean more workers' comp is needed.

Business projections for the upcoming year also influence premiums, which can increase if your workload doubles.

A business owners policy can provide combined property and liability coverage at a discounted rate.

Additional factors that influence the cost of bakery insurance include the size of the bakery, annual revenue, specific location, value of insured equipment, and specific operations.

Here's a breakdown of some average costs and limits:

Liability insurance for a bakery can cost around $42/month for coverage for a small business, but a business owners policy that packages liability coverage and property damage coverage together can be more cost-effective, with a median cost of $72 monthly.

Finding Discounts

Finding discounts on bakery insurance can make a big difference in your bottom line. One way to save is to shop for a special packaged product that includes all the protections you need.

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An independent insurance agent can help you find these discounts by browsing different insurance companies' bakery insurance products. They can also help you find money-saving hacks for bakery insurance customers.

If your bakery's building was recently built or updated, you might qualify for a new/updated construction discount on your property insurance coverage. This can be a significant savings.

You could also receive a safe premises discount on the liability portion of your coverage if your bakery provides especially safe premises to prevent customer injury. This is a great incentive to prioritize customer safety.

Paying your premiums annually in one lump sum can qualify you for an annual premium discount. This can be a smart financial move if you can afford it.

If your bakery is equipped with security measures like burglar alarms or cameras, you might qualify for a security systems discount on your property coverage. This is a great way to protect your business and save money.

A formal safety plan can help you qualify for a discount on your workers' comp coverage. This plan should help prevent employee injury, sickness, and death.

Here are some common discounts offered on bakery insurance policies:

  • New/updated construction discount
  • Safe premises discount
  • Annual premium discount
  • Security systems discount
  • Formal safety plan discount
  • Insurance package discount

Virgil Wuckert

Senior Writer

Virgil Wuckert is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in insurance and construction, he brings a unique perspective to his writing, tackling complex topics with clarity and precision. His articles have covered a range of categories, including insurance adjuster and roof damage assessment, where he has demonstrated his ability to break down complex concepts into accessible language.

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