​In October and November of 2011, floods inundated large parts of central Thailand, including thousands of factories that made everything from automotive parts and hard disk drives to eyeglass lenses and air conditioners. In addition to the human and economic cost in Thailand, the disaster affected businesses around the world.

Carmakers in Detroit shut down because they could not get the parts they needed and half of the world's hard disk drive production was wiped out, leaving computer manufacturers with stalled assembly lines. When disasters like this occur, businesses around the globe feel the effects. 

In addition to making advance arrangements for alternative suppliers, businesses can protect themselves by purchasing two types of insurance coverage: Contingent business interruption, and supply chain insurance.

​As the economy continues expanding, companies need to be careful about adequately managing their risk, according to a report by Advisen Inc., an insurance research and data firm.

Increased activity typically means proportionally additional losses. For example, more trucks driving more miles will inevitably result in more accidents. However, other kinds of risk can actually increase more than the jump in business activity. We look at three such areas here.

​What does the term “performance review” mean to you? To many people, it means sitting down at the end of the year with a manager to discuss job performance over the past 12 months. To others, it could mean chatting with a manager every quarter. And some might know it as a biweekly conversation to discuss personal goals.

​If you are one of the Americans who have purchased a motorcycle in the last 10 years, you're clearly far from alone: Ownership has risen steadily in the past decade, and over 13 million people across the U.S. are now riding motorbikes. And of that total, nearly 20% of all riders are women.

Just as for car drivers, motorcycle riders are required to secure insurance, and you want to make sure you have proper coverage in case you are in an accident or your bike is stolen. And if you've purchased a quad, three-wheeler or dirt bike, you should get insurance for these as well. 

​Falls from portable ladders (step, straight, combination and extension) are one of the leading causes of occupational fatalities and injuries. OSHA has 16 tips for staying safe when using a portable ladder.

​No one likes to contemplate it, but accidents result in over 161,000 deaths per year in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, unintentional injury is the fifth leading cause of death in the country.

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance, or AD&D, exists to provide families and loved ones with protection against the death or severe injury of a breadwinner or other individual on whom the beneficiaries depend. This affordable form of insurance pays a lump sum in the event of accidental death or death as a result of homicide (as opposed to illness). In addition, policies may pay an additional benefit as a result of events like these:

​One of the biggest mistakes owners of growing businesses make is not keeping up their insurance coverage to account for the expanding assets and potential liabilities.

Let's say you started your business 10 years ago with just a small space and computer desk. Today, you have an office full of employees and equipment. If you still have the same insurance coverage you did a decade ago, or even three years ago, the chances you are underinsured are high.