Five covers every Malaysian small business should price first

Small business owners often discover insurance the day after they needed it. Before anything exotic, get quotes for these five core covers. 1. Fire and named perils - protects the premises, stock and equipment. In Malaysia, check whether flood is included or is an extension; after recent monsoon seasons, many insurers price it separately. 2. Burglary - covers theft following forcible entry. Note the wording: shoplifting and mysterious disappearance are usually not covered. 3. Money - cash on the premises, in transit to the bank, and in the safe overnight. Retailers and F&B outlets need this more than they think. 4. Public liability - if a customer slips on your wet floor, this is the policy that responds. RM 1,000,000 of cover costs less than most owners expect. 5. Business interruption - the quiet one. After a fire, rent and salaries continue while revenue stops; this cover replaces lost gross profit during reinstatement, typically up to 12 months. Packaged SME policies bundle all five at a discount, and takaful equivalents exist for each. Bring last year's revenue and your sum-at-risk numbers to an advisor and price the package before you renew piecemeal.