Lower your business Insurance by going green
Insurance companies are climbing on the green bandwagon. Some examples:
- The California Insurance Department last month approved a plan to let insurers adjust their fees if their customers drive less
- Insurers have started lowering premiums for property owners (residential and businesses) that have installing energy efficient devices or eco-friendly materials. On the commercial side, buildings with Energy Star or LEED certification qualify for lower premiums.
- Starting in May 2010, large insurance companies (under a directive of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) will be required to “summarize steps it has taken to encourage policy holders to reduce the losses caused by climate change influenced events” (i.e. excessive driving, poor building design and operations, etc.).
This has created a Perfect Storm of opportunity for businesses. Why?
IF Government regulators are applying pressure to insurance companies to green their business and their clients,
AND there is favorable PR for the insurance companies to do so, THEN businesses and individuals going green will enjoy lower premiums.
Here’s what your business can do to begin to lower your premiums:
1. Use Energy Star home/work appliances and equipment.
2. Green retrofit your building/office home (windows, duct work, doors, energy audit, etc.).
3. Get your building certified Energy Star. Less costly than LEED and more directly tied to your bottom line. Click here for more info.
4. Create a Green Strategy Plan and submit to your insurance provider. Include your green supply chain initiatives, water conservation plan and power conservation plan. Show exactly the emissions your plan will save over the next 12 months.
