You started a side hustle. Now it’s time to protect it.
You turned your hobby or extra work into something people pay you for. Now it feels more like a real business. That’s exciting. But when you start taking money seriously, you also need to take safety seriously. One of the most important steps is getting insurance. It’s not just for big companies — you may need it too. Here’s what to do, step by step, to protect your work and your money.
Step 1: Decide if you need workers’ comp insurance.
Workers’ comp insurance helps if someone you hire gets hurt while doing your job. But if you work alone, you might still need it. Sometimes people ask you to show proof of insurance — this is called a certificate. If you have no employees, you can get a special kind called a ghost policy. But a ghost policy does not cover you, the owner. It just proves your business has coverage. You can start your quote to see the price.
Step 2: Get a quote for your insurance.
A quote is the real price for your insurance. It depends on where you live and the kind of work you do. When you get your quote, you’ll see the cost and what is covered. A ghost policy does not cover you, the owner. You reject coverage for yourself when you buy it. Your quote is your best first step.
Step 3: Choose the right kind of coverage.
There are different kinds of insurance for different things. Workers’ comp is for work-related injuries. General liability is for if someone says you hurt them or broke something. You might need one, both, or more. UNO sells workers’ comp only, and your quote shows what it costs. If you work with tools or materials, you might need extra cover. If other people work with you, you need regular workers' comp, not a ghost policy. Think about what your work includes and what might go wrong. Your quote is your guide.
Step 4: Buy your insurance and get a certificate.
Once you get your quote and choose your coverage, you can pay for the policy by card. Cimarron issues your policy within 24 business hours of your payment and signed documents. The premium is fully earned: once the policy is issued, there is no refund. Then you can get a certificate of insurance. A certificate shows the kind of coverage you have, the limits, the dates, and the name of the carrier. But it doesn’t show the full policy terms. You can hand this certificate to the person who asked for it. Your certificate proves you are covered — but it does not say you are protected in every way. Keep your actual policy documents safe too.
Step 5: Keep your insurance up to date.
Insurance policies can change. If you want to change what kind of coverage you have, you need to buy a different policy. A 👻Ghost Policy never covers the owner; if you want coverage for yourself, you need regular workers' comp. If you start working in a different way, your insurance may need to change too. If you hire someone, you need regular workers' comp, not a ghost policy. Your quote can help you see what you need now.
What if I change what I do or hire someone?
If you start doing a different kind of work, your insurance might need to change. Different kinds of work have different risks, and different prices. If you hire someone, you need regular workers' comp, not a ghost policy. Always check the coverage to make sure it still fits your business.
Can I cancel my insurance?
The premium on a ghost policy is fully earned. Once the policy is issued, there is no refund. The one exception is a full refund if underwriting finds that your application is false before the policy is issued. Make sure a ghost policy is what you need before you buy.
