Credit insurance benefits can be an invaluable tool for business owners who want protection against the potential risks that come with lending. It’s important to understand what this insurance can do for your business. In this post, we will discuss 6 things credit insurance can do for your business and then 5 mistakes to avoid when taking the policy.
First things first.
What is Credit Insurance?
It is an insurance policy that protects businesses from non-payment of invoices by their customers. It can be used to protect domestic and international sales transactions. As the name suggests, it covers trade transactions with credit terms and is requisite to bank financing in some cases. Read more on trade credit insurance.
How does it work?
The policyholder will buy the policy by paying a premium to the insurance company. Secondly, the insurance company conducts risk analysis before issuing the policy. Lastly, once they accept the risk, an insurance policy will be issued. In the event of default, the holder will make a claim under the policy. The insurance claim will be honored provided set conditions are met.
6 Benefits of credit insurance
#01. Can help you get paid on time.
One of the biggest benefits of credit insurance is that it can help you get paid on time. It protects your business from losses from late payments, non-payments, and bankruptcy. The buyer will avoid a claim being raised out of their default.
#02. Help you maintain cash flow.
Credit Insurance will maintain cash flow within the company by re-injecting liquidity from unpaid invoices. The liquidity position helps the company take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
#03. Access to finance
Credit insurance will help by de-risking the debtor book. This enables banks to finance against outstanding invoices. This can be either through receivable finance or payable finance.
#04. Improve internal processes
Insurance premium costs are based on the risk assessment by the insurance underwriter. Companies with efficient operations and robust credit management systems benefit through low premiums. In order to get the best out of credit insurance, many companies strive to improve their operational efficiency. One such obvious observation is an increase in debt collections.
#05. Management of bad debts
The term bad debt refers to those invoices for which payment will be impossible to collect. Consequently, the company must write them off from profits. These bad debt losses are avoidable by taking credit insurance.
#06. Supports business expansion
It can help you expand your business. This insurance is a great way to protect your business from the risks of exploring new markets. When you take out a credit insurance policy, you are increasing the capacity to book new business without taking up unnecessary risks.
However, before signing up for a policy, there are some things businesses should keep in mind:
5 Mistakes to avoid when taking credit insurance
Mistake #01.
Not understanding what credit insurance covers. Credit insurance policies can be different in terms of the risks they cover and the amount of protection they offer. It is important to understand exactly what a policy covers before signing up for it.
Mistake #02.
Purchasing a policy that does not fit your business needs. Just as with any other type of insurance, businesses should purchase a credit insurance policy that fits their specific needs. A policy that is too broad or too narrow could end up being ineffective or even costly. Do not buy this policy if you don’t offer credit terms to your customers.
Mistake #03:
Not getting quotes from multiple insurers. Just as with any other major purchase, it is important to get quotes from multiple insurers before deciding on a policy. This will help you find the best deal and make sure you are getting the coverage you need.
Mistake #04:
Not asking questions. Don’t be afraid to ask your insurance broker questions about a policy before signing up for it. This will help ensure that you understand what you are buying and that the policy is a good fit for your business.
Mistake #05:
Failing to read the fine print. Insurance policies can be long and full of legal jargon. It is important to take the time to read through the entire policy so that you know exactly what you are getting yourself into.
Credit insurance is an important tool for businesses of all sizes, but it is important to avoid these five common mistakes when taking out a policy. By understanding what credit insurance covers and taking the time to shop around for the best deal, businesses can protect themselves from the risks associated with doing business in today’s economy.
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