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Business Overhead Expense Insurance

How long would your business survive if you were temporarily disabled? How would you pay the salaries of your employees and meet your monthly expense obligations? Some statistics would have you believe at least 50% of persons aged 35 will suffer a disability lasting at least 90 days before they attain the age of 65.

When a disability occurs, generally three things are sure to happen to a business owner:

• their regular living expenses will continue to occur;
• business expenses will continue to occur; and,
• at this most inopportune time, the income earned from the business will be severely interrupted.

Business overhead expense (BOE) insurance is designed to reimburse a business for overhead expenses in the event a business owner becomes disabled. This is not the same as personal disability insurance which usually pays benefits to age 65. A business overhead expense policy pays a shorter benefit of one to two years after a waiting (elimination) period. It is generally considered that no business can stay open more than two years if the owner is disabled and the business will either be shut-down or sold.

These policies also work where there is more than one owner. If there is a business partner each partner can take out a policy to accommodate their share of the expenses.

The premiums paid for the business overhead expense insurance is a legitimate, tax-deductible business expense; however, the benefits are treated as taxable income when paid.

Generally, there are two conditions which must be met to trigger the payment of benefits:

• total disability due to injury or sickness must be present and
• the expenses covered by the policy must be incurred during the disability.

Typically, eligible business overhead expenses are:

• employee salaries
• employment taxes
• employee benefit costs
• rental payments for property and equipment
• principal and interest on mortgaged business property
• utilities
• accounting and legal fees
• business insurance expenses
• interest on business debts
• property taxes
• general office supplies

Any agreements and insurance polices within a business must be integrated with the overall plan and objectives of the business. Careful consideration must be given to the selection of the plan which is right for your business and to the method of funding your plan.

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This material contains only general descriptions and is not a solicitation to sell any insurance product or security, nor is it intended as any financial or tax advice. For information about specific insurance needs or situations, contract your insurance agent. Our articles are intended to assist in educating you about insurance generally and not to provide personal service. They may not take into account your personal characteristics such as budget, assets, risk tolerance, family situation or activities which may affect the type of insurance that would be right for you. In addition, state insurance laws and insurance underwriting rules may affect available coverage and its costs. If you need more information or would like personal advice you should consult an insurance professional. You may also visit your state’s insurance department for more information.