Kyle Chamber of Commerce
by RAY HERNANDEZ
We all love to attend local events where families gather together and enjoy the day. These events often include a bounce house, an animal petting area, etc.
One thing many businesses and organizations overlook is liability insurance. Many times we assume that if someone is selling a product or service they must have liability insurance. Over the course of the last few months, I have spoken with many event organizers who hire businesses to provide some of these services and they often do not check to see if the hosting organization or business is protected from liability.
Unfortunately, some people will offer products and services for a fee or free as a marketing tool without taking the time to ensure their business or organization is protected. If you have an event on your business property or affiliated with your business, you may be liable if someone gets hurt regardless if you are not providing that service or product.
Liability insurance protects against two kinds of financial risk: it pays damages for which the business/organization is found liable and helps defend the business in a court of law. A housing repair or painting project, a sports program for youngsters, a drop-in facility for the aged or disabled, a field trip or entertainment program — almost any activity that can result in serious injury can result in lawsuits and liability, despite the precautions of trained staff and dedicated volunteers.
Even if there is little reason to blame the business or organization, most competent lawyers will name every individual and organization as an involved party. If the injury occurred at someone’s home, the resident might be defended by a homeowners-insurance carrier. Any contractor or other business should have liability insurance.
The first step is to seek guidance from a business consultant. The Kyle Chamber of Commerce partners with the Small Business Development Center at Texas State University, which provides free confidential business counseling right here in the Kyle Chamber office. The second step would be to find an insurance agency that can provide the coverage you need.
The experts at the Small Business Development Center can also help you with questions on subjects such as: Business Planning, Capital Analysis, Capital Acquisition, Marketing, Home Based Business, Market Research, Minority Business Development and much more. Contact the Kyle Area Chamber at [email protected] to schedule your free appointment.
April
15th – 4:30 p.m. – Hands on Healing Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
15th – 7 p.m. – Friday Night Fun - J&R Gymnastics
16th – 7 a.m. – Negley Elementary 5k Run/Walk- Negley Elementary School
16th – 9 a.m. – Kyle Earth Day Clean-Up Project – Gregg-Clarke Park
20th – 10 a.m. – TexasMarketGuide.com Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
20th – 6 p.m. – City of Kyle Easter Egg-stravaganza – Gregg-Clarke Park
21st – 9 a.m. – Free Small Business Counseling – Kyle Chamber of Commerce
21st – 4:30 p.m. – Keller Williams Realty Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
22nd – 5 p.m. – Hope & Love 4 Kids Community Easter Egg Hunt – The Java Cup
26th – 11:30 a.m.–Kyle Chamber Administrative Professionals Appreciation Luncheon – Hays CISD Performing Arts Center
30th – 10 a.m.- United Way of Hays County Celebrity Classic golf tournament
30th – 6 p.m.- Kyle/Buda VFW Post 12058 Dinner & Dance Fundraiser – Painted Horse Pavilion
May
5th – 6 p.m.- Ambassador’s BASH – Chuck Nash Auto Group
11th – 4:30 p.m. – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Third Base Sports Bar-Southpark Meadows
