The Trusted Choice survey found many business owners are not aware of the importance of this coverage:

- More than half of small business owners surveyed (54 percent) said they don't have business-interruption coverage. Another 20 percent weren't sure or said they never heard of the coverage.

- One out of four respondents (26 percent) said they have business-interruption coverage, a number far below those in this category who should be insured under industry-standard package policies.

- Among those who said they purchased business-interruption coverage, only 38 percent said the reason was that it was included in the policy.

- Among those business owners who said they don't have business-interruption coverage, 45 percent said they didn't think they needed it; another 19 percent said it was too expensive, 16 percent said they didn't know about it, and 13 percent were unsure.

- An overwhelming majority of owners who have business-interruption see the value. Nearly nine in 10 of these entrepreneurs (86 percent) said they are "very" or "somewhat" likely to keep the coverage.

From a financial security standpoint, business-interruption coverage is a key protection package, Viall said, noting: "Business owners must ask the question, 'How am I covered for this exposure?' If they are not covered, they should consult their Trusted Choice agent immediately to get the coverage they need to protect themselves and their employees."

Standard small-business insurance-known as business owners' policies, or BOPs-cover loss of income and extra expenses for 12 months. BOPs often provide 60 days of coverage for ordinary payroll. BOP eligibility is typically based on the type of business, size of building, and/or revenue; eligibility varies from one insurer to another, but more than half of all commercial risks are eligible, Viall said. Business owners should consult with their Trusted Choice agent for the proper package for their situation.

"Other industry statistics have shown that 85 percent of small businesses are underinsured by 40 to 50 percent," said Viall. "Of those businesses that suffer a serious loss, almost half never reopen-and of those that do, over one-fourth close within three years. Business-interruption insurance can help protect small businesses from that fate."

Natural disasters are a killer of many small businesses. For example, according to industry reports, some 40 percent of South Carolina small businesses closed by Hurricane Hugo in 1989 never reopened.

About the research: The omnibus survey of 500 small businesses (defined as businesses with fewer than 100 employees and less than $1.5 million in revenue) throughout the United States was conducted April 11-22 by Media, Pa.-based International Communications Research (ICR). The survey has a margin of error of � 4.5 percentage points at a 95 percent level of confidence.

Viall Insurance Agency is a local Trusted Choice agency that represents multiple insurance companies, so it offers you a variety of personal and business coverage choices and can customize an insurance plan to meet your specialized needs. You can visit Viall Insurance Agency online at www.viallins.com or call it at 770-487-8310.