Is running your business from home an ecommerce insurance risk?

According to the BBC and a recent Aviva survey, 1 out of 10 Brits currently work in a converted shed, garage or summerhouse, and this number is expected to rise to 13% of the population soon. These so-called “shoffices,” or shed-offices, which could be designed luxuriously or haphazardly, may pose some insurance risks.

The BBC article advises anyone unsure about their current policy and how it’s affected by remote work to call their insurance provider as soon as possible. Especially if the business requires any sort of expensive operational or fulfillment equipment, as any incident (theft, damage, etc.) might exceed the current home insurance policy limits.

Brian Brown, consumer finance expert at Defaqto reminds us all to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit, while remaining wary of the risks involved because:

"Standard home insurance products are designed to cover your property for domestic use and not as a business, although most will allow you to do office work from home. If you are using your home as a business premises, storing stock and equipment at home or having customers visit, you could invalidate your policy."

Luckily for members at Saltbox, insurance coverage is included in the conversation from day one, because we want all members to rest easy knowing their space and inventory are protected. Get in touch if you have any questions about insurance companies that Saltbox works with and the policies they often provide to our members.