Protecting More Than Just Your House: Why Home-Based Business Owners Need the Right Coverage

Why Home-Based Business Owners Need the Right Coverage

More Americans than ever are running side hustles, creative businesses, or full-time work-from-home setups. In fact, about 50% of small businesses in the U.S. are home-based (SBA data). Whether it’s photography, baking, consulting, or selling handmade goods, your home is doing double duty.

But here’s the kicker: standard homeowners insurance usually doesn’t cover business-related losses.

What Home-Based Entrepreneurs Need to Know

1. Your gear may not be covered.

   • Cameras, lighting, laptops, sewing machines, baking equipment — if you use it for your business, many policies exclude it.

   • Example: If a photographer’s $3,000 camera is stolen from their home, the claim may be denied under a personal homeowners policy.

2. Liability looks different.

   • If a client comes to your home studio and trips, you’re now dealing with business liability, not personal.

   • Even small mishaps (coffee spilled on a client’s laptop during a meeting) can create financial headaches.

3. Your income matters.

   • If you’re relying on business income to help pay the mortgage, what happens if a fire, flood, or theft knocks you offline?

   • Business interruption coverage or riders can help bridge that gap.

How Insurance Fills the Gap

• Mortgage Protection Insurance: Ensures your family can keep the house, even if your business income isn’t there.

• Final Expense Insurance: Covers end-of-life costs, so your business assets aren’t liquidated to pay funeral bills.

• Indexed Universal Life (IUL): Can build a cash value you borrow against to help fund business growth or emergency expenses.

• Specialized Riders: Some carriers offer add-ons to cover small business property or liability for home-based entrepreneurs.

Why Nicole Gets It

As a photographer herself, Nicole knows what it’s like to have expensive gear and a business you’re passionate about running from home. She’s not here to scare you — just to make sure you’re not blindsided by a claim denial when you need help most. If you liked reading Why Home-Based Business Owners Need the Right Coverage then read About Nicole Irwin's Insurance Services here or 👉 Request a Quote and let’s talk about your home, your business, and the gear that makes it all work. I’ll walk you through which coverage protects what — no jargon, just straight answers.