When a new company moves to secure funding and formalize operations, insurance is often an afterthought. But with a bit of effort, emerging companies can obtain strong insurance protection, maximize their existing coverage, and make themselves more attractive to future investors and other partners. Emerging companies should focus in particular on commercial general liability, data privacy and cyber liability, errors and omissions liability, directors’ and officers’ liability (D&O) and, depending on the number of employees, fiduciary liability and employment practices liability policies. An effective risk management strategy will also depend on strong external support from insurance brokers and counsel.

In the article 5 Insurance Tips for Emerging Companies published by Risk Management, I discuss five best practices for getting started on an insurance program.