Anyone who operates a child care center is prudent if the child care facilities are covered with liability insurance. Yes, anyone who operates a day care facility should have insurance to cover property damage and bodily injury to children in your care. If this is not the case for you, you should start looking for insurance rates for child care facilities now. If you operate an unlicensed facility, your tenancy or condominium policy may or may not include insurance coverage for your child care operation. Some companies include child care coverage without charging any additional premium. Some companies will add the coverage as an endorsement and charge an extra premium for it. Other companies exclude coverage for child care facilities. If you already have an insurance, check with your agent to find out if child care coverage is included in your policy or if you can buy an additional premium.

If you operate a licensed child care facility, you will want to buy a separate business policy to cover your child care operation. Under the law, anybody who is paid to provide care or supervision for four or more children under the age of seven is compelled to obtain a license. The costs involved vary. Insurance rates for child care facilities may vary significantly from company to company hinging upon the rating factors used by the companies. Things like previous claims history, years of operation, number of children cared for and type of child care facility used will affect the rate. A physical inspection of the child care facility may also be required. For unlicensed facilities, the rates generally are based on the amount of financial obligation limits you carry in your tenancy policy. The insurance rates for child care facilities are based on the total liability coverage you choose to carry and the number of children that will be in your care. For more coverage and premium information, call your insurance agent or your insurance company. If you are not satisfied with the service you are receiving, contact other companies or agents or search on-line resources.

Child care liability protection will provide coverage up to the policy limits for property impairment and bodily injury to children to the extent you are held legally liable. Some policies may also provide medical payments coverage. Insurance rates for child care facilities usually do not cover the use of saddle animals, motor vehicles, watercraft, or intentional acts of physical and sexual abuse. There may be other exclusions in the policy. You should verify with your agent about them before you purchase the policy. To find affordable insurance rates for child care facilities, try to bring your facility in line with your insurance company underwriting guidelines. Things like putting off the plan for swimming pool, walling a play area, walling out the family pet, hiring an experienced helper and installing a few fire extinguishers and smoke alarms. By complying, you will not only make it easier to get insurance, but it may also reduce your premium at the end of the day.

Good luck to your business of caring!