Managing client assets and investments is a significant responsibility, and as such, having the right insurance plan in place is essential. The proper insurance plan can provide protection against a range of risks, such as professional negligence, errors and omissions, cyber-attacks, and other unforeseen events.
By having the appropriate insurance coverage, you can mitigate potential financial losses and ensure your clients’ assets are safeguarded, which is essential for maintaining trust and credibility in the industry. Because of this, we strongly recommend implementing a comprehensive and diverse insurance plan to cover all necessary needs.
So, how can you begin to acquire and evaluate your insurance? Follow these easy steps to make sure your firm is covered!
1. Define your insurance needs
Small businesses in general, and wealth management firms in particular, might assume they only need errors and omissions (E&O) coverage. This is a starting point, sure, but in no way do your insurance needs end there. Your agent will likely suggest a bundled insurance plan called a Business Owners’ Policy (BOP) tailored for businesses like yours. It’ll include a customized combination of policies like business liability insurance, commercial property insurance, business interruption insurance, commercial auto insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance, to name a few.
2. Evaluate your options
Remember why you are getting insurance: to protect your firm and your financial interests in the event of a worst-case scenario. While it may be tempting to opt for the minimum coverage to save money, this could end up being a costly mistake in the long run. It’s essential to assess your firm’s needs carefully and ensure that you have adequate coverage to protect your assets and reputation. Make sure you’re working with someone who understands your business. AiK2 recently encountered a client who was paying too much for E&O insurance, and it turned out their broker thought they were trading a lot. In reality, they were hardly trading at all, and their insurance broker just didn’t ask the right questions.
3. Read the fine print
Remember why you are getting insurance: to protect your firm and your financial interests in the event of a worst-case scenario. While it may be tempting to opt for the minimum coverage to save money, this could end up being a costly mistake in the long run. It’s essential to assess your firm’s needs carefully and ensure that you have adequate coverage to protect your assets and reputation. Make sure you’re working with someone who understands your business. AiK2 recently encountered a client who was paying too much for E&O insurance, and it turned out their broker thought they were trading a lot. In reality, they were hardly trading at all, and their insurance broker just didn’t ask the right questions.
4. Reevaluate your policies and needs
As your firm evolves and hopefully grows, your insurance needs will change with it. Create a standing schedule –we suggest quarterly—to meet with your advisor and discuss your current situation. This can help ensure that you always have the level of protection you need to weather any storms that may come your way.
5. Talk to an expert
There are many intricacies in purchasing insurance for your firm. There are loopholes, pitfalls, and lots of fine print. Insurance advisors who know the financial industry can guide you through the various options available and help you make informed decisions. For example, an AiK2 client ran a small private fund which ended up not being covered by their E&O policy because their previous insurance broker didn’t understand their business.
Seeking the guidance of an expert can provide you with peace of mind and confidence in your coverage. So, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional like AiK2, who has extensive knowledge and experience insuring firms in the wealth management space and will provide the support you need.
Ensure your firm is properly insured
Having the right level of insurance coverage gives you the peace of mind to operate and grow your firm. It’s important to work with an expert to make sure you aren’t under- or over-insured and that you have the right mix of policies. Reach out to AiK2 today to meet with an experienced insurance advisor about your firm’s needs.