I do the odd handyman job on weekends. If I was sued, would my home policy respond to this?

No, it would not. In order to insure any commercial operations, it is important to have a commercial liability policy in place. Even if you are working for friends or family, it is always important to have a liability policy in place to protect you in the event of a lawsuit.

If I use my vehicle 50% for pleasure and 50% for business purposes, it is okay to have it rated for pleasure use?

No, it is not. If a vehicle is used for business purposes, whether it is sales, construction or any other occupation, it is important to have it rated this way to ensure proper coverage is in place.

Do I need to list my child on my auto policy or would they be covered automatically?

It is important that all licensed drivers living in the household are listed on your auto policy unless they have their own auto policy elsewhere. Failure to have all licensed drivers listed on your auto policy could result in denial of a claim.

Does my home policy cover my garden tractor?

If your garden tractor is over 30hp, it needs to be scheduled on your home policy. There is usually a limit of approximately $15,000 for garden tractors that do not exceed 30hp included in the special limits section of your home policy (please refer to your specific company wording for exact limits).

Am I covered if I rent a vehicle?

If your auto policy has the OPCF 27 endorsement then yes, you are covered if you rent a vehicle in Canada or the United States. However, specific limits and time frames apply to this coverage. Therefore, it is important to contact your broker to review this coverage with them.

What is the OPCF20/27 on my auto policy mean?

These Ontario Policy Change Forms provide you with the following; OPCF 20 – This change form provides coverage for transportation replacement. For example, if you have been in an accident and your vehiclecannot be driven, you will have coverage to rent a vehicle up to the limit on your policy. OPCF 27 – This change form provides you with comprehensive and collision coverage if you damage a rented vehicle. Your liability coverage and accident benefits coverage on your auto policy would apply to the rented vehicle. This coverage is only applicable while you rent or borrow a vehicle in Canada and the United States.

Is my jewelry covered under my contents on my homepolicy?

There is a section in your home policy called special limits. This will include some coverage for Jewellery. Limits vary by insurance company, but there is usually around $5,000 for Jewellery coverage. Any big items,such as watches, wedding bands, etc., should be scheduled on your home policy. If you have questions on your specific coverage, it is important to contact your broker.

Are my recreational vehicles insured under my homepolicy?

No, they are not. A recreational vehicle requires a separate insurance policy or in some cases, it can be added onto your auto policy.

Can I insure my friend’s car?

No, you cannot. To insure anything, you need to have insurable interest meaning your name must be on the ownership.

If I am renovating my house, do I need to let my broker know?

This depends on the size of the renovation. Cosmetic renovations such as new flooring, painting or updates to kitchens and bathrooms are not a material change in risk and therefore, do not need to be noted. However,if you are adding value to the house, such as finishing the basement, it is important to let your broker know, so we can ensure the limit on the house is sufficient. Any renovations that include additions to the house are important to let your broker know, so they can ensure proper coverage is in place, as this is a material change in risk.

What You Need to Know About Small Business Insurance

Contrary to common perceptions, running a business isn’t all freedom and flexible hours. It is pressure, uncertainty, and constant decisions. One issue, be it legal, financial, or technical, can throw everything off track.

A 2024 BDC poll found that 61% of people in Canada believe only big companies get hacked. However, 73% of small businesses have already faced cyber incidents. From phishing to service outages, the risks don’t care about company size.

Small business insurance doesn’t just help; it is essential. It keeps operations stable when unexpected hits occur and protects everything built from the ground up. This guide breaks it all down in a simple and clear manner.

What You Need to Know About Small Business Insurance in 2025

Small business insurance helps owners prepare for problems they can’t always see coming. Coverage extends to property damage, customers’ injuries, or lawsuits. It also steps in when a business has to pause operations due to events like fires, floods, or theft.

This type of insurance keeps business owners from paying out of pocket when something goes wrong. For many owners, the business protection from insurance is the only thing standing between recovery and a complete shutdown.

Beyond the Basics: The 3 Most Critical Types of Coverage

Some risks are obvious, while others come out of nowhere. The right mix of small business insurance can make all the difference when things go wrong. Here are three essential coverages that every business should understand.

1. General liability insurance

This coverage comes first, as it protects against claims if someone gets hurt at the business or their property is damaged.

Let’s say, for example, a customer trips on a loose floor tile and breaks an ankle, or a delivery person slips on ice outside the office. Without general liability insurance, one accident could lead to a lawsuit that drains the business.

2. Commercial property insurance

Commercial coverage protects against damage to physical assets like buildings, equipment, and inventory.

Think about a fire in a downtown Toronto café, or a flood that wrecks a basement-level stockroom. These events can happen, and commercial coverage stands as the best option to rebuild without starting from scratch.

3. Business interruption insurance

If operations shut down due to damage or repairs, this coverage replaces lost income. The rent still needs to be paid, and staff still need their wages. This is what keeps things afloat during downtime.

Together, these three types of coverage form the basis of strong business protection. They insure against losses and keep the business standing.

Other Coverages That Deserve Attention

Physical risks are just part of the picture. Legal issues, cyber threats, and team-related problems can be just as serious.

Professional Liability Insurance

This policy covers mistakes that don’t involve injuries or damage, but still cause harm. For instance, a consultant gives the wrong advice; a marketing agency misses a key deadline; or a developer’s code fails and costs a client thousands.

Professional liability insurance helps take care of the legal costs that can result from these errors.

Cyber Liability Insurance

Now, think about online tools, emails, payment systems, and cloud storage. If those get attacked, businesses can stop in seconds. This is where cyber liability insurance comes in handy. It helps cover data loss, recovery costs, and legal issues tied to a breach.

Small Business Health Insurance

Then, there is the team. Good people are hard to find, and even harder to keep. Small business health insurance helps with that through extended employee security. The policy addresses medical needs and demonstrates to staff that the company values their well-being, not just their output.

Small business health insurance coverage is also part of a retention strategy that helps employees commit, and businesses avoid the high cost of repeatedly rehiring.

Ontario Local Laws, Regulations, and Industry Expectations

Running a business in Ontario comes with its own set of rules and risks. Local laws shape how small business insurance works across the province.

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has strict requirements for employee protection. If a team member gets hurt, then coverage isn’t optional but required.

If you own a business vehicle, then Ontario’s commercial vehicle insurance law kicks in. Regular auto insurance won’t cut it. Snow, ice, and slip-and-fall claims also spike in colder months. These seasonal risks hit hard, especially for businesses with storefronts, walkways, or delivery services.

There is also the pressure to meet industry expectations. Most clients, suppliers, and partners ask for proof of insurance. If there is no policy, then deals may not likely go through.

Commercial coverage structured in accordance with Ontario’s rules helps businesses stay protected and credible. This isn’t just about ticking a box, but a smart business protection built for the realities of working in Ontario.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Policy

Before picking any small business insurance, it helps to ask a few key questions:

What can go wrong in the industry? (Think about the day-to-day operations.)
Is there foot traffic? If someone slips and falls, who pays?
Is customer data stored digitally? (Cyber threats are real.)
Does the team drive to work? (Accidents on the road could cost a lot.)
What if a client claims that bad advice caused a loss? (General liability insurance won’t cover that. Professional liability insurance will.)

Every business is different, but good questions lead to smart coverage. Use them to find gaps and then fill them. This is exactly how business protection starts—by looking at real risks and not just ticking boxes.

James Campbell Insurance Works as Hard as You Do

At James Campbell Insurance, we understand the challenges faced by small businesses: the long hours, tight deadlines, and constant decisions. Yes, we see it all; hence, coverage is built around real risks, not assumptions. Every plan starts with a detailed risk check.

If you need commercial insurance for tools or stocks, we have you covered. If you want business protection for legal claims, then consider it done.

From professional liability to small business health insurance, the support stays practical and personal. Coverage is available across many industries, including construction, retail, farming, manufacturing, transportation, and more. If a specific industry isn’t listed, just reach out to us.

Call our small business insurance experts at 1-833-459-1065 or contact us online to get support, flexible plans, and advice that makes sense