The rise of remote and hybrid work has transformed how businesses operate – but it’s also created new insurance exposures that many employers and homeowners haven’t fully addressed. From blurred liability boundaries to gaps in property protection, the shift away from traditional office spaces brings hidden risks that deserve serious attention.
The Ingram Agency simplifies insurance with clarity and customized coverage. Here’s what business owners and property holders should think about.
1. Liability Risks in the Home Office
When employees work remotely, the line between personal and professional liability can get blurry. Who is liable if a delivery person slips on the front steps while dropping off work-related materials, or a visitor is injured during a business meeting in the home?
In many cases, standard homeowners insurance won’t cover liability arising from business activities. Likewise, a general liability policy may not fully extend to employees’ remote work environments unless you explicitly structure it to do so.
Tip: Update your business liability policy to include your remote workforce and talk to your insurer about coverage extensions for offsite operations.
2. Business Property at Home
If company-issued laptops, printers, monitors, and external hard drives are damaged, lost, or stolen while offsite, who covers the cost?
Homeowners insurance typically has low sub-limits for business property, and commercial policies might not extend to off-premise locations without endorsement.
Tip: Consider inland marine coverage or a business property floater that protects equipment in transit or at remote locations.
3. Cybersecurity and Data Breach Exposure
Home networks are rarely as secure as corporate systems. The risks of phishing attacks, unsecured Wi-Fi, and mishandled sensitive data rise sharply with more employees working from home. A single breach can lead to reputational damage, regulatory fines, and expensive recovery efforts – even for small businesses.
Tip: Invest in cyber liability insurance and ensure employees follow data protection protocols. A security audit can help identify weak spots in your digital perimeter.
4. Workers’ Compensation for Remote Employees
Fully remote employees can file workers’ comp claims if they get injured while performing job duties. But proving the when, where, and how of remote injuries can get complicated – and costly.
Tip: Maintain remote work policies that define business hours, workspaces, and expectations to protect your business and validate legitimate claims.
5. Business Interruption Planning in a Decentralized World
Traditional business interruption insurance assumes physical premises are inaccessible. But in a decentralized operation, interruptions might stem from widespread network outages, supplier delays, or even severe weather impacting remote employees in different regions.
Tip: Review your business interruption coverage and discuss whether contingent or non-physical damage riders are appropriate for your operational model.
6. Homeowner Considerations for the Self-Employed
Your homeowners policy may not be sufficient if you run a business out of your home, leaving you exposed in the event of a lawsuit, fire, or equipment loss.
Tip: Talk to your agent about adding a business endorsement to your homeowners policy or securing a separate business owners policy.
Rethink Risk in a Remote World
The shift to remote and hybrid work is here to stay – but your insurance coverage may be inadequate to keep up with these changes. Whether you’re a business owner with distributed employees or a homeowner running a side hustle, it’s time to review how your risk has changed.
The Ingram Agency specializes in helping forward-thinking clients stay protected in today’s world. Reach out today and let us craft coverage that’s as agile as your operations.