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January 2018

Ordinance or Law Insurance Coverage

Generally, Ordinance or Law insurance coverage provides limited protection for costs associated with repairing, rebuilding, or constructing a structure when physical damage to the structure by a covered cause of loss triggers an ordinance or law.

According to Adjuster’s International Disaster Recovery Consulting, compliance with ordinances and laws after a loss can add 50% or more to the cost of the claim*.

Insureds should take a proactive approach to their insurance program and the coverage provided by the program. Learning about important exclusions and limitations after a catastrophe strike will cause the Insured to experience frustration and anxiety. Insureds should always read their policies, and in some states, may be required by law to do so.

Ordinance or Law Exclusion

Most property insurance policies will have an Ordinance or Law exclusion. The exclusion applies to both physical damage and time element coverage.Read More »Ordinance or Law Insurance Coverage

Financial Speak 101 for Small Business Owners: A Pocket Dictionary of Financial Words

A 2014 report (Financial Literacy and the Success of Small Businesses: An Observation from a Small Business Development Center) showed that half of the small businesses weren’t reviewing their financial statements. And of that 50%, 86% were experiencing financial difficulties. Why?
Businesses weren’t reviewing their statements … because they didn’t understand the financial jargon.
If you struggle to understand the financial lingo, this list of common financial terms and definitions may help. Use it as a reference while you’re working with your accountant or while going over your books each week.

Accounts Payable

Accounts payable is also called trade payable. It refers to the total invoices for goods and services a business has received but has yet to pay. They’re usually due for payment within 15 to 45 days. In short, this is money your business owes to other businesses.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable is the amount of money a company has to claim or has invoiced. It is from having sold goods or rendered services to its customers. This is what other businesses or customers owe your business.

Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses are expenses that a business has incurred but has yet to pay. This is because either the invoices have not yet been received or the payments aren’t yet due.

Examples of accrued expenses include interest on loans and taxes incurred. Salaries your employees earn up to the period of reporting but aren’t due for payment until after the report is prepared are also accrued expenses.

Assets

An asset is any item your business owns that is of fiscal value and is expected to benefit the business in the future.

Balance Sheet

Read More »Financial Speak 101 for Small Business Owners: A Pocket Dictionary of Financial Words

8 Worst Businesses to Start Right Now

Image: 10 Worst Businesses to Start Right Now(updated on 10/31/2022)

Opening your own small business is an exhilarating undertaking made even more exciting if you’re successful. No matter how skilled a business person you are, venturing into stagnating or dwindling industries makes it more likely that your business will be one of the 50 percent that fails within the first five years. You can also check this info sheet posted by SBA on SURVIVAL RATES AND FIRM AGE.

Help ensure your success by steering clear of these likely-to-fail businesses.

8. Restaurant

Opening a restaurant is no small order, as the 23 percent failure rate within the first year illustrates. Independent eateries find it hard to compete with restaurant chains able to buy bulk products at big discounts.Read More »8 Worst Businesses to Start Right Now