Things to Consider When Working From Home
Is your kitchen counter or dining room table moonlighting as your workspace too? Has a spare bedroom been rejigged as your new office? Welcome to the world of working from home.
As working from home becomes much more common practice than ever before, there are a few things to think about. Along with best practices like setting up a dedicated working space and remembering to take a lunch break, you may be wondering how working from home impacts your insurance.
Does working from home impact your insurance policy?
Generally speaking, you shouldn’t have to make any changes to your coverage, nor should your rates change. There is no need to inform your insurance company if you are working from home on a full-time or part-time basis.
However, it’s important to understand the difference between working from home, being self-employed and operating a business from your home. All three of these scenarios are treated differently when it comes to insurance.
Insurance options for your home office
At TD Insurance, there are coverage options available to ensure your home office is covered in the event you experience a loss. If you are self-employed or operating a business from your home, contact an advisor to discuss your insurance options. Or, if you're looking for a quick working from home 101, we've got you covered.
What if you have clients coming to your home?
Regardless if the business is yours or you’re simply working from home, if you have clients coming in and out of your house, this could be a liability concern. We recommended you speak to advisor to extend your coverage.
What if property that belongs to your work is damaged at home? Does your home insurance cover that?
If you’re working from home and the equipment you’re using is not yours, there is no coverage in those circumstances because you don’t personally own it. However, if it’s something you own, then yes, you may have coverage.
Home insurance will cover business property, anywhere in the range of $2,000 - $6,000 depending on the option you have chosen (a Basic or Enhanced policy). That means, if you operate a business from your home, your business-related belongings are covered (subject to your deductible, up to those limits). If you require more coverage than listed above, TD Insurance also offers an In-Home Office endorsement which can increase your business property limit. It’s best to speak with an advisor for more information.
Are you interested in knowing more about home insurance coverage? Get a home insurance quote today .
Working From Home & Productivity
Once you’re confident with your coverage, there are other things to think about to make working from home easier and more comfortable. It’s easy to get caught up in video calls and day-to-day tasks – It's important to remember to make small adjustments to make working from home more sustainable.
Here are a few tips while working from home to help with your productivity and overall wellbeing, whether it’s one day a week or on an ongoing basis. Although some of these tips are common sense and you’ve probably heard them before, it’s always helpful to get a friendly reminder:
- Log out of your social media accounts
- Take breaks throughout the day
- Try standing at your computer instead of sitting all day
- Have a dedicated workspace
- Open a window or pop outside for fresh air
- Green your workspace with plants
Remember that making small adjustments can make all the difference in your workday, allowing you to be the most productive version of yourself.