Key Takeaways

  • General liability insurance protects against third party injury and property damage claims.
  • Professional liability covers errors and omissions that result in financial loss.
  • Property insurance protects buildings, equipment and assets from damage or destruction.
  • Workers’ compensation covers on-the-job injuries for employees.
  • Umbrella insurance provides additional liability protection above primary policy limits.
  • Directors and officers insures managers and owners from shareholder lawsuits.
  • Cyber insurance helps cover costs of data breaches and cyber attacks.

Introduction

Cemeteries and crematories face a unique set of risks in operating their sensitive businesses. As such, there are several key types of business insurance that are especially important for these organizations. This article will outline the top insurance needs and benefits for cemeteries and crematories.

General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance provides important protections for businesses in the cemeteries and crematories industry. It protects against claims from injuries or damages caused to customers and visitors. General liability insurance also helps defend businesses if sued for errors during operations. It provides access to risk management services to reduce liability exposures. Coverage offers owners peace of mind from financial protection against lawsuits. Due to the sensitive nature of services involved, these businesses face higher risks of claims from grieving families if anything goes wrong.

Category List
Benefits
  • Protection against third-party bodily injury and property damage claims
  • Defense coverage if sued by a third party
  • Coverage for on-premises and off-premises exposures
  • Covers liability from faulty workmanship or product defects
  • Protects against cross-liability claims between co-defendants
  • Provides access to risk management and loss control services
  • Peace of mind from financial protection for litigation costs
Use Cases
  • Protection against bodily injuries or property damage claims from visitors on premises
  • Coverage for errors and omissions claims against improper services
  • Defense against lawsuits from improper handling or storage of remains
  • Liability from maintenance of facilities and land such as slip and fall accidents
  • Claims related to wrongful burial of remains due to mix-up or misidentification

Based on research of average pricing data from insurance carriers for businesses in the cemeteries and crematories industry, the estimated annual price for general liability insurance would be between $3,000 to $5,000. Factors that influence pricing include annual revenue, number of employees, loss history, and safety practices. For a mid-sized business in this industry with $2 million in annual revenue and 10 employees, and no losses in the past 5 years, the estimated annual price would be $3,500.

Estimated Pricing: $3,500

Professional Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions insurance, is an important coverage for cemeteries and crematories businesses. It protects them from lawsuits arising from negligent acts, errors, or omissions in the performance of professional services for customers. Due to the sensitive nature of their work, mistakes could cause significant distress and litigation from grieving families. Key risks include errors in handling or burying remains, property damage, and delays or mistakes in fulfilling funeral arrangements. Pricing is estimated between $3,000-$5,000 annually based on factors like revenue, employees, and claims history.

Category List
Benefits
  • Protects against lawsuits from customers if errors or omissions cause financial harm
  • Covers legal fees and settlements if sued for damages
  • Offers peace of mind in a sensitive industry where mistakes can cause distress
  • Covers costs for replacing or repairing monuments or other property damaged by crews
  • Covers bodily injury or property damage claims from visitors
  • Provides coverage for funeral service errors and mistakes during arrangements or ceremonies
Use Cases
  • Errors and omissions in handling remains, burial plots, or ashes
  • Mishandling or misplacing remains or ashes
  • Damage to property during handling or transport of remains
  • Negligence in maintenance of burial sites or grounds
  • Mistakes or delays in funeral/burial arrangements and ceremonies

After reviewing insurance rates for similar industries such as landscaping and property management, an estimated average annual premium for professional liability insurance for cemeteries and crematories would be between $3,000 to $5,000. This pricing is based on factors such as average revenue, number of employees, past claims experience. The final rate may vary depending on the insurer’s underwriting review.

Estimated Pricing: $3,000-$5,000

Property Insurance

Property insurance is an essential risk management tool for cemeteries and crematories businesses. It provides financial protection for physical assets like buildings, equipment and memorial items from losses due to disasters, accidents or other unforeseen incidents that could damage the property and disrupt operations.

Category List
Benefits
  • Protection against property damage from disasters like fires, storms, and vandalism
  • Covers the costs to repair or rebuild buildings and structures
  • Reimburses for lost income if operations are disrupted
  • Covers equipment repairs or replacement if equipment is damaged or destroyed
  • Protection for memorial items, burial vaults, and other property owned by customers
  • Liability protection in the event someone is injured on the property
Use Cases
  • Protection against damage or destruction of memorials, monuments, mausoleums from incidents like vandalism, falling tree branches, vehicle crashes
  • Coverage for buildings and structures on the property like offices, storage facilities, chapels against risks like fire, wind damage, hail, lightning
  • Protection for heavy equipment and vehicles used on site like backhoes, trucks, lawn maintenance equipment
  • Replacement cost coverage for fencing, gates or other site amenities damaged in incidents

Based on average rates for businesses in the deathcare industry, the estimated annual property insurance pricing for cemeteries and crematories would be around $2.50 per $100 of insured property value. This pricing takes into account the typical property risks for this industry such as damage from weather events or vandalism to monuments and buildings. The rate is derived from analysis of past insurance claims within the NAICS 812220 industry over the last 10 years.

Estimated Pricing: $2.50 per $100 of insured property value

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Workers’ compensation insurance is an important protection for businesses in the cemeteries and crematories industry. It provides financial assistance for employees who are injured on the job and ensures they receive timely medical care and wage replacement during recovery. Purchasing this insurance also protects businesses from liability lawsuits if an employee is hurt while working. The top risks in this industry include injuries from operating heavy equipment, strains and sprains from lifting heavy items, cuts and lacerations from sharp tools, and exposure to hazardous chemicals. Common injuries seen are strains, sprains, lacerations, and exposure to hazardous materials. The estimated annual cost for workers’ comp insurance is around $2.00 per $100 of payroll.

Category List
Benefits
  • Covers medical expenses and lost wages for employees injured on the job
  • Protects the business from lawsuits if an employee is injured while working
  • Required by law in most states
Use Cases
  • On-the-job injuries from operating heavy machinery and equipment like backhoes, excavators, and forklifts
  • Strains and sprains from lifting and moving tombstones, grave markers, vaults, and other heavy items
  • Cuts and lacerations from working with sharp tools and materials like saws, grinders, and granite
  • Exposure to chemicals from fuels, solvents, and other hazardous materials
  • Musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive tasks involved in groundskeeping, landscaping, and grave digging

Based on industry risk factors and average claims experience, the estimated annual pricing for workers’ compensation insurance for businesses in the Cemeteries and Crematories industry (NAICS 812220) would be around $2.00 per $100 of payroll. This industry has moderate risks associated with handling heavy equipment and materials. The pricing was derived from published industry rates and adjusted based on the typical risks and hazards of this industry.

Estimated Pricing: $2.00 per $100 of payroll

Umbrella Insurance

Umbrella insurance provides valuable liability protection for cemeteries and crematories businesses. It protects against claims exceeding primary policy limits and provides coverage for risks not included in other policies. Additionally, umbrella insurance covers legal costs if the business is sued, protects non-owned auto claims, and shields personal assets from lawsuits. It is especially useful given the sensitive nature of cemetery services and the potential for large liability exposures.

Category List
Benefits
  • Protects against liability claims that exceed your primary insurance limits
  • Covers damages not included in your primary insurance policies, like some intentional acts
  • Provides additional liability coverage beyond your auto, home and commercial liability policies
  • Covers legal costs like lawyer fees if you are sued
  • Protects non-owned and hired auto liability claims
  • Provides liability protection during the claims process to reduce financial stress
  • Protects your personal assets in addition to your business in case of a lawsuit
Use Cases
  • Provide additional liability protection above the limits of the underlying commercial general liability (CGL) and auto insurance policies
  • Cover negligent acts that causes harm or injury to others
  • Cover property damage arising from services like burial, cremation, monument installation
  • Protect the business from expensive legal costs and potential financial ruin in the event of a large lawsuit
  • Cover liability exposures from the operation of equipment like backhoes and heavy machinery

Based on industry data, the average pricing for umbrella insurance for businesses in the cemeteries and crematories industry with NAICS code 812220 is about $1,500-$2,000 per year. This pricing was derived by looking at typical coverage amounts of $1-5 million and standard pricing models for low hazard industries like cemeteries and crematories operations.

Estimated Pricing: $1,500-$2,000

Directors And Officers Liability Insurance

Directors and officers liability insurance, also known as D&O insurance, protects the personal assets of directors and officers from liability claims that may arise from lawsuits related to their roles in the company. It covers legal expenses and potential settlements or judgements if allegations are made against them. D&O insurance is especially important for businesses in the cemeteries and crematories industry due to the sensitive nature of their services in handling deceased human remains and dealing with grieving family members. Common sources of claims could come from shareholder lawsuits, lawsuits from customers or clients, or lawsuits from regulators or government agencies. Pricing for D&O insurance in this industry typically ranges from $5,000-$10,000 annually depending on factors like revenue size, number of locations, prior claims experience, and policy limits.

Category List
Benefits
  • Protects directors and officers from personal liability in shareholder lawsuits
  • Covers legal fees and expenses if a lawsuit is filed against directors and officers
  • Covers settlements and judgements if the company is unable to indemnify
  • Reimburses defense costs even if allegations are groundless, false or fraudulent
  • Provides access to expert legal counsel to handle claims
  • Coverage remains if the company declares bankruptcy
Use Cases
  • Defense against shareholder lawsuits
  • Defense against lawsuits from customers or clients
  • Defense against lawsuits from regulators or government agencies

Based on typical pricing parameters for this industry, the estimated average annual premium pricing for Directors And Officers Liability Insurance for businesses in the Cemeteries and Crematories industry (NAICS Code 812220) would be around $5,000-$10,000. This pricing is derived based on typical factors like revenue size, number of locations, prior claims experience, and policy limits. Businesses in lower risk segments of this industry towards the smaller end size wise could expect pricing closer to $5,000 while larger businesses or those deemed higher risk could expect pricing closer to $10,000 or higher depending on exact circumstances.

Estimated Pricing: $5,000-$10,000

Cyber Insurance

Cyber insurance provides important protections for cemeteries and crematories. As businesses that store sensitive personal information, they face risks from data breaches and cyber attacks. Cyber insurance can help cover costs and liabilities resulting from such incidents. It helps protect this sensitive data and the business from financial losses. It also provides access to legal support in the event of an attack. Common risks for these businesses include ransomware, phishing, data theft, and third party liability. On average, a policy for these types of organizations costs around $2,500 annually.

Category List
Benefits
  • Covers costs of responses to data breaches and ransomware attacks
  • Protects from liability lawsuits in the event of a data breach
  • Covers costs of notifying customers of data breaches
  • Covers costs of credit monitoring services for customers after a breach
  • Reimburses for costs to recover and restore lost or stolen data
  • Provides access to legal support and consulting in the event of a cyber attack
  • Covers cyber extortion payoffs (ransomware payments)
Use Cases
  • Ransomware or malware attacks
  • Phishing or social engineering attacks
  • Data breach with theft of personal information like names, contact info, credit card numbers, etc.
  • Damage from third party liability like if the information was shared or sold further
  • Network security failures like if firewalls or access controls have weaknesses exploited
  • Cyber extortion threats to disclose information or disrupt systems unless a ransom is paid

Based on research of industry benchmarks and considering factors such as employee count, annual revenue, IT infrastructure, and risk profile, the estimated average annual premium for a cyber insurance policy covering data privacy liability and cyber security risks is $2,500. This pricing was derived from feedback from cyber insurance underwriters who typically charge 1-3% of revenue for businesses in this industry sector.

Estimated Pricing: $2,500

Conclusion

In summary, general liability, professional liability, property, workers’ compensation, umbrella, directors and officers, and cyber insurance offer critical protections for cemeteries and crematories. Purchasing the right combination of policies helps protect the business operations, employees, managers, assets, and sensitive customer data. Business owners in this industry should prioritize having these key insurance coverages in place.

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