Start with how the operation works
Accounting-firm insurance should reflect the services performed, credentials, client types, contracts, deadlines, records handled, payment practices, employees, and potential financial consequences of an alleged error. Bookkeeping, tax preparation, payroll, audit, and advisory services can create different professional and cyber exposures. For commercial flood insurance, flood planning evaluates building, contents, elevation, prior loss, financing requirements, and available FEMA, private, or excess options.
Operating details to document
- Description of accounting firms & bookkeepers operations, locations, revenue, payroll, and recent changes
- Current values and schedules for professional liability (e&o) appropriate to the services performed, cyber liability, crime, social-engineering, and funds-transfer coverage, business owner's policy, workers' compensation, epli, and umbrella where appropriate
- Contracts, certificates, current policies, and currently valued loss history
Coverage details to review
- Building and contents flood limits
- FEMA and private-market options where available
- Excess flood capacity above qualifying underlying coverage
- Waiting periods, deductibles, exclusions, and lender requirements
Prepare for a More Productive Renewal
A useful review goes beyond selecting a policy name. It connects current information to eligibility, policy structure, and the consequences of a significant loss.
- Begin before the market needs the final submission
- Update values, payroll, sales, fleets, locations, and operations
- Explain losses and improvements with supporting documentation
Alleged calculation, filing, reporting, bookkeeping, payroll, or advisory errors
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Client-data loss, ransomware, privacy events, fraudulent instructions, social engineering, and funds-transfer loss
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Employee injury, employment allegations, office property loss, and interrupted operations
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Building and contents flood limits
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
FEMA and private-market options where available
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Excess flood capacity above qualifying underlying coverage
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Waiting periods, deductibles, exclusions, and lender requirements
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Information to have ready
- Description of accounting firms & bookkeepers operations, locations, revenue, payroll, and recent changes
- Current values and schedules for professional liability (e&o) appropriate to the services performed, cyber liability, crime, social-engineering, and funds-transfer coverage, business owner's policy, workers' compensation, epli, and umbrella where appropriate
- Contracts, certificates, current policies, and currently valued loss history
- Property address, use, and occupancy
- Building and contents values
- Foundation, floor, and elevation information when available
- Prior flood losses and mitigation improvements
Questions for the coverage review
Which accounting firms & bookkeepers risks could create the most severe loss?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
Do current values, classifications, limits, and deductibles reflect the operation?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
What operational changes, contracts, or dependencies should the insurance review address?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
What flood limit does the property and lender require?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
Should FEMA, private, or excess options be evaluated?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Who should use this accounting firms & bookkeepers commercial flood insurance guide?
Business owners and insurance buyers can use it to prepare for a focused review of renewal planning. It is educational guidance, not a quote or a substitute for policy terms.
What information should a accounting firms & bookkeepers account gather first?
Start with description of accounting firms & bookkeepers operations, locations, revenue, payroll, and recent changes, current values and schedules for professional liability (e&o) appropriate to the services performed, cyber liability, crime, social-engineering, and funds-transfer coverage, business owner's policy, workers' compensation, epli, and umbrella where appropriate, contracts, certificates, current policies, and currently valued loss history, plus currently valued loss information when available.
Coverage descriptions are general. Eligibility, availability, limits, deductibles, exclusions, and policy terms vary by risk and market. Review actual policy documents with an appropriate insurance professional.