Concierge Licensing and Insurance

Don't risk it!
Having the proper licensing and insurance are important aspects in starting your new business.

You want to comply with all laws and regulations as well as protect your personal assets. While this type of business is not inherently high risk, you never know what may happen.

Licensing
Business requirements for licensing and registration will vary from state to state and even city to city. Depending on your location, you may need any number of the following:

• Business or occupational license
• Registration at state or local level
• Doing business as (DBA) filing
• Home business permit
• Federal or state tax ID
• Local tax permits

Many state and local governments have small business resources online or over the phone. You should make use of those resources and thoroughly check to see what the requirements are for your area.

Also make sure to check those areas where you may not reside, but will be providing services. Many times you may need to comply with additional requirements in those locales. If you don't have current clients in those areas, obtain the paperwork, but save some money by waiting until you have clients to obtain those permits when you can.

Business Insurance
New business owners report that this is one of the most difficult tasks to accomplish when they start up. Because of unique nature of the business, insurance agents have a hard time classifying and pricing coverage.

Your first call should be to your regular insurance agent. They can give you advice on what coverage you need and may be able to integrate business coverage into your current insurance portfolio. They can also let you know what some of your existing policies may cover.

Another place to get competitive quotes on business insurance is Bolt Insurance.

Bonding
The need for bonding is best discussed with an insurance professional. The need for bonding is really dependent on the types of services you offer. For most services, insurance may suffice. If you are coordinating home improvement projects (decks, additions, etc.) you are more of a contractor and bonding becomes necessary.

Articles

• DemerittAgency.com - Risk management: Bonding Your Business
• Entrepeneur.com - Business Licenses and Permits
• Entrepeneur.com - Insurance
• NFIB.com - Bonded or Insured?
• Wikipedia - Surety Bond

Websites

• Bolt Insurance
• United States Small Business Administration

Start-Up Guide

A good place to start is our Opportunity page.

If this sounds like a business that fits your experience and needs, then use the links below to obtain valuable information and resources for starting your new business.

• Naming your business
• Selecting a business structure
• Creating a business plan
• Licensing, Insurance and Bonding
• Deciding what services to provide
• Business Supplies
• Creating a website
• Contracts and forms
• Pricing your services
• Start-up checklist

The Concierge Manual

Written by industry expert Katharine Giovanni, this extraordinary guide provides all the tools you need to create a successful concierge, lifestyle management, errand service or personal assistant company. Do you want to create an on-site, lobby or corporate concierge service? Or are you looking to serve individuals? From small boutique concierge services to large corporations, this manual will help everyone!.

The information is all here, presented in a simple, step-by-step format! This books answers some of your biggest questions about the logistics of running a concierge business ...