Key Takeaways

  • General liability protects against lawsuits from injuries on your premises or defects in products
  • Property insurance covers losses from fires, flooding and other disasters
  • Workers’ comp covers medical costs and lost wages if employees get hurt on the job
  • Business interruption pays ongoing costs if the business must close temporarily
  • Equipment breakdown repairs and replaces machinery if it malfunctions
  • Product liability defends against claims of injuries from defective products
  • Cyber liability insurance covers risks from data breaches and cyber attacks

Introduction

As a manufacturer of cutting tools and utensils, purchasing the proper insurance protections is essential to safeguard your business from unexpected costs and risks inherent in producing these types of products. This guide examines the top 6 types of business insurance coverage cutlery and handtool producers should have in place. Manufacturers should work with an insurance broker familiar with their industry to ensure they have the appropriate coverage.

General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance provides essential coverage for businesses involved in manufacturing cutlery and handtools. It helps protect the company from risks inherent in producing sharp instruments that could potentially cause injuries.

As a manufacturer of cutting tools, general liability insurance is important to protect against risks of injuries during product use or on business premises. It covers costs of accidents, defects, recalls and lawsuits that could severely impact finances without insurance. The top benefits of coverage include protecting assets, maintaining operations and cash flow when claims arise.

Category List
Benefits
  • Protects your business from lawsuits if a customer is injured using your product
  • Covers costs of product recalls if a defect is discovered
  • Pays for legal defense if you are involved in a liability lawsuit
  • Covers liability claims from property damage
  • Offers protection from slip and fall accidents on your premises
  • Reimburses medical expenses if an employee is injured on the job
  • Covers liability from faulty workmanship or defective materials in manufacturing
  • Protects subcontractors and independent contractors you work with from liability claims
  • Helps maintain positive cash flow by paying costs associated with claims upfront rather than out-of-pocket
  • Provides coverage in case of damage to a customer’s other property from defects in your products
  • Indemnifies directors and officers from lawsuits related to their duties for the company
  • Offers customized coverage levels tailored to the unique risks of your manufacturing processes and product lines
Use Cases
  • Protect against property damage lawsuits if a customer injures themselves using a defective product
  • Cover medical expenses if an employee injures themselves while operating machinery
  • Defend against lawsuits if a customer claims a tool caused damage to other property
  • Pay legal fees and settlement costs if sued for negligence or product defects
  • Cover lawsuits from manufacturers if a tool breaks during assembly at another facility

Based on industry data and risk factors, the estimated average annual pricing for general liability insurance for cutlery and handtool manufacturing businesses (NAICS 3322) is around $5,000. This pricing was derived considering factors like the hazardous nature of the manufacturing process involving sharp tools and metals, potential risks of injuries to workers as well as customers, and history of liability claims in this industry.

Estimated Pricing: $5,000

Property Insurance

Property insurance is a critical risk management tool for businesses in the cutlery and handtool manufacturing industry. NAICS 3322 businesses face risks from equipment damage, inventory losses, and property destruction from disasters. This reference outlines the key benefits, use cases, and estimated pricing of property insurance for cutlery and handtool manufacturers.

Category List
Benefits
  • Protection against property damage and losses from fire, flooding, storms and other disasters
  • Replacement or repair costs if equipment or facilities are damaged
  • Business income if operations are disrupted by a covered loss
  • Coverage for extra expenses needed to continue operating like temporary repairs, renting alternate space and overtime pay for employees
  • Protection of business personal property both on and off premises
  • Coverage for debris removal following a covered loss
  • Protection of business personal property both on and off premises
Use Cases
  • Coverage for equipment damaged in manufacturing accidents or defects
  • Coverage for inventory damaged in transportation or warehouse
  • Coverage for building and property damaged by fire, flood, storms or other natural disasters

Based on average property insurance rates for manufacturing businesses, typical building and equipment values for the cutlery and handtool manufacturing industry, and accounting for above average risk factors like working with sharp tools and metals, the estimated average annual property insurance premium for a business in NAICS 3322 Cutlery and Handtool Manufacturing would be around $8,000. This factors in a building valued at $2 million and equipment valued at $1 million with a $1 million liability limit.

Estimated Pricing: $8,000

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

“Workers’ compensation insurance provides critical protections for both employees and employers in the cutlery and handtool manufacturing industry. It ensures employees receive medical care and lost wages if injured on the job while protecting businesses from liability. This reference outlines the key benefits, use cases, and estimated pricing for workers’ compensation insurance in this high-risk manufacturing sector. Common injuries in this industry include cuts, repetitive stress injuries, hearing loss, and eye injuries from operating machinery and handling equipment and materials. The average estimated annual premium rate for a business in this sector with a $1 million payroll is $25,000.”

Category List
Benefits
  • Covers medical costs if an employee gets injured on the job
  • Pays lost wages if an employee cannot work due to a job-related injury or illness
  • Protects the business from lawsuits if an employee is injured on the job
  • Complies with state laws requiring businesses to carry workers’ comp insurance
  • Reduces absenteeism and increases productivity by helping injured employees recover faster
Use Cases
  • Machinery related injuries like cuts from sharp blades or hand tools
  • Injuries from lifting or moving heavy equipment
  • Repetitive stress injuries from activities like grinding or sharpening
  • Exposure to loud noises or hazardous materials
  • Eye injuries from flying debris or collision with equipment

Based on industry data, the average workers’ compensation insurance rate for businesses in the cutlery and handtool manufacturing industry (NAICS 3322) is approximately $2.50 per $100 of payroll. This rate is derived from considering factors like industry accident rates, average claims costs, insurance company expenses and profits. At this rate, for a business with a $1,000,000 annual payroll, their estimated annual workers’ compensation insurance premium would be $25,000.

Estimated Pricing: $2.50 per $100 of payroll

Business Interruption Insurance

Business interruption insurance protects manufacturers from financial losses when unexpected events disrupt business operations. It covers costs like lost income and extra expenses required to continue business activities during downtime.

Category List
Benefits
  • Covers lost income if the business has to close temporarily
  • Reimburses ongoing expenses like payroll, utilities, and rent
  • Helps maintain cash flow during downtime from disasters like fires or machinery breakdowns
  • Provides funds to restart business operations after an insurable event
  • Covers loss of income from dependent businesses if a supplier’s plant shuts down
  • Protects against losses from utility issues like power outages that disrupt operations
  • Covers extra expenses to continue operations at a temporary location if the primary facility is unusable
Use Cases
  • Power outage or equipment failure leading to plant downtime
  • Fire or natural disaster damage to facilities
  • Supplier issues preventing delivery of raw materials
  • Pandemics or other events limiting operations due to restrictions

Based on industry data, the average annual revenue for businesses in NAICS 3322 Cutlery and Handtool Manufacturing is about $3 million. Business interruption insurance typically costs between 0.5-1.5% of annual revenue. For a $3 million revenue business, business interruption insurance would cost between $15,000-45,000 per year.

Estimated Pricing: $15,000-$45,000

Equipment Breakdown Insurance

Equipment breakdown is a risk for all businesses relying on machinery, but it poses particular challenges for manufacturing industries like cutlery and handtool production. An unexpected failure in a key piece of equipment can halt operations, resulting in costly repairs and lost income during downtime. Manufacturers in this industry commonly use various industrial machines, furnaces, compressed air systems and other equipment crucial for production. A breakdown of any of these could be very disruptive and expensive to repair without insurance coverage. Equipment breakdown insurance can help protect these businesses from the financial impacts of equipment malfunctions, which are not uncommon in manufacturing environments utilizing complex machinery.

Category List
Benefits
  • Covers repairs to equipment including power tools, CNC machines, furnaces, etc if they break down
  • Covers costs associated with equipment failure like hiring specialists, parts, overtime wages, and lost income
  • Covers property damage to other equipment or facility if it was caused by a covered equipment breakdown
  • 24/7 claims assistance to help you get equipment repaired and operations running quickly to minimize downtime and lost income
  • Covers additional expenses to temporarily continue your operations from another location if your facility needs repairs from an equipment breakdown
  • Covers lost revenue if your facility needs to close for repairs after an equipment failure causing breakdown
  • Provides peace of mind knowing you have financial protection for your key equipment and facilities
Use Cases
  • Coverage for breakdown of industrial machines like mills, lathes, grinders and presses used in manufacturing cutlery or hand tools
  • Coverage for breakdown of furnaces, boilers and air conditioning/refrigeration equipment
  • Coverage for breakdown of electrical equipment like transformers, breaker panels or switch gears
  • Coverage for commercial kitchen equipment breakdown if the business does any product finishing/treatment requiring heated equipment
  • Coverage for breakdown of compressed air or hydraulic systems that power manufacturing machines

Based on the equipment and machinery used in cutlery and handtool manufacturing businesses, which includes machines like forging presses, heat treating equipment, metalworking lathes and mills, grinders, buffing and sharpening equipment, the estimated average annual premium for equipment breakdown insurance would be around $3,500. This price was derived using industry data on average equipment values and claims in this industry, along with assumptions of deductibles and coverage limits that are typically offered.

Estimated Pricing: $3,500

Product Liability Insurance

Product liability insurance protects cutlery and handtool manufacturers from costly lawsuits and ensures business continuity if incidents occur. It covers legal fees, medical expenses, property damage claims, and other costs if a product is found defective or causes harm. Without this crucial coverage, even one major lawsuit could bankrupt the company.

Product liability insurance is especially important for manufacturers of cutting tools, knives, and other items that could potentially cause injuries. It provides coverage for product recalls, defects discovered years later, and intellectual property claims. Estimated rates are around $2.50 per $100 of gross receipts with a $1000 minimum.

Category List
Benefits
  • Protects against costly lawsuits if a product causes bodily injury or property damage
  • Covers legal fees and expenses if a lawsuit is filed
  • Pays damages if a company is found liable for injury or property loss
  • Protects assets like equipment, facilities, and bank accounts from being seized to pay legal costs or damage awards
  • Ensures a company can continue operating even if facing a lawsuit
  • Helps maintain positive brand reputation by demonstrating financial responsibility
  • Provides access to experienced product liability attorneys and experts if needed for a defense
  • Could help a company negotiate better contracts by demonstrating their commitment to minimize risks for business partners
  • Helps in adhering to contractual agreements with partners by fulfilling all liability guarantees
Use Cases
  • Protect from lawsuits if a customer is injured by a defect in a product
  • Cover costs of medical expenses, legal fees and settlements if someone alleges a product caused harm
  • Provide coverage if a customer claims a product failed to perform its intended function
  • Reimburse costs associated with a product recall if issues are discovered
  • Pay for liability claims even if the defect does not appear until years after sale
  • Indemnify the business if they are sued for alleged intellectual property or patent infringement related to their products

Based on research on average product liability insurance rates for manufacturing businesses, the estimated average annual pricing for cutlery and handtool manufacturers (NAICS 3322) would be around $2.50 per $100 of gross receipts, with a minimum premium of $1,000. This pricing is determined based on the potential risks involved in manufacturing cutting tools and utensils and historical claim losses in this industry. Larger manufacturers may be able to negotiate slightly lower rates due to economies of scale.

Estimated Pricing: $2.50/$100 of gross receipts, minimum $1,000

Conclusion

Proper insurance coverage gives manufacturers in NAICS 3322 peace of mind knowing they are protected financially should accidents occur, equipment break down or lawsuits arise. The right policies also help maintain business continuity and cash flow. Consult with an experienced insurance broker to determine the appropriate liability limits and protection levels needed for your operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

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