Your insurance premiums can be raised or decreased by risk management. No matter what type of coverage, the premiums can be reduced. No matter if you are a business owner or an individual, the premiums will be higher if the insurer is willing to take on more risk. You wouldn’t need insurance coverage if you could eliminate all risks. It’s impossible to eliminate all risks, so some coverage is mandatory.
Definition of risk management
In insurance terminology, risk is the likelihood that an event will happen and the consequences of it. Risk management refers to the use of tools and processes to manage these events and their consequences. How well a business manages these risks is crucial to its success.
Management process
It is much cheaper to prepare for a potential threat than to deal with it in a crisis. These threats can be avoided by creating a risk management program. The risk management process is the same for individuals and businesses. These steps are:
Identify the risks to your business, personal and work environment. Evaluate the probability of an event occurring.
Consider all possible consequences for each event
You can decide whether you accept, transfer, reduce or eliminate any risk that you find.
Implement strategies and systems to deal with the consequences
You should monitor your risk management, and make sure it is effective. If necessary, you can change it.
There are four options available to you once you have identified each potential risk. You have two options: accept the risk or transfer it. You can also choose to reduce or eliminate risk. Prioritizing the risks will help you decide how to deal with them. You will need to prioritize them by considering the potential consequences and likelihood of each risk happening. Then, rate the risk as high, medium or low.
How to reduce risk
Businesses will need to be aware of many more risk categories than individuals. Some risk categories, however, are the same. These include security, safety, health, financial, and environmental concerns, as well as emergency contingency planning.
The insurer will need to know about your security measures, whether you are an individual or a company. You may want to increase security by installing additional locks, alarm systems or closed-circuit television cameras. You might consider hiring a security guard to protect your business premises.
Your actions or those of your employees could have a negative impact on the safety and health of others. This includes employees if you’re a business. You can use management systems to help you meet safety, health, or environmental requirements.
You could, for example, ensure that parking lots and premises are well lit and infrastructures conform to the latest building codes in the area. Also, ensure that all tools and equipment meet safety standards and are properly utilized. You can also take extra measures to ensure safety for children and make the building accessible for those with disabilities. Your premiums will be lower if you can prove that you are prepared for any natural disaster.
In order to lower the risk for the insurer, a contingency plan will be created. This can include financial and other emergency plans. This includes setting up reserves funds and appointing people to take certain actions in a crisis. It also provides a plan for maintaining a personal or business daily routine, regardless of the circumstances.
There are many other risks that can also be identified and reduced or eliminated. Risk management has many more benefits than lowering your premiums. An insurance broker can help with risk management in your personal and professional life.
