Buy Commodity Broker Insurance

Commodity Broker Insurance Policy Information

Commodity Broker Insurance. As a commodity broker, you are tasked with purchasing and selling commodity contracts. Needless to say, your job is extremely important, as you're not only making vital decisions on the behalf of your clients, but you're also responsible for large sums of money.

While you may be great at what you do and you always go the extra mile to ensure that all of your t's are crossed and i's are dotted, there's always a chance that something could go wrong when you least expect it.

Commodity brokers are trained and licensed to purchase and sell commodities for their individual or corporate clients on a fee or a commission basis. Commodities are unprocessed materials, such as grain, livestock, or metals, that are traded on futures markets.

Commodities brokers match the products of the farmer or mine owner with the anticipated future needs of the marketplace. These contracts or "futures" are traded in the commodities market.

Commodity brokers are regulated under the jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and are required to be members of the National Futures Association (NFA). Commodity brokers have a high degree of fiduciary responsibility to their clients.

Whether you work for yourself or you trade on a firm's floor, you are exposed to numerous risks on a daily basis. Those risks range from general and professional liabilities to an array of crimes (such as fraud).

In order to protect yourself and your clients, making sure that you have the right type of commodity broker insurance coverage in place is vital.

Why is it so important for commodity brokers to have insurance? What type of insurance do you need? Read on to find the answers to these questions and to ensure that you are properly protected.

Commodity broker insurance protects your trading firm with rates as low as $47/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.

Below are some answers to commonly asked commodity brokers insurance questions:

• What Is Commodity Broker Insurance?
• How Much Does Commodity Broker Insurance Cost?
• Why Do Commodity Brokers Need Insurance?
• What Type Of Insurance Coverage Do Commodity Brokers Need?
• What Does Commodity Broker Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Why Do Commodity Brokers Need Insurance?

Just like any other professional, commodity brokers face a number of risks. Some of those risks are common to all industries, while some are unique to your specific profession.

For instance, if you're an independent broker or you run a firm, you're responsible for anyone who visits the location where operate your business. If a third-party - a client or a postal employee delivering your mail, for example - slips and falls at your facility, sustains in injury, and files a lawsuit, you are responsible for any medical care that may be required, as well as the cost of litigation.

Similarly, if you make a mistake and a client sues you for suspected fraud, you are liable for any financial repercussions. In the event that something does go wrong, having the right type of insurance in place is the key to avoiding serious monetary losses.

If you aren't insured, you would be responsible for covering the expenses out of your own pocket, which could be financially devastating. If you're insured, however, your carrier would cover the related costs.

Additionally, in order to legally operate as a commodity broker, you are required to carry certain commodity broker insurance coverage. If you aren't properly insured, you could face fines and penalties and even lose your license.

In other words, being insured will ensures that you are operations are compliant with Federal and state laws, and can help you avoid exorbitant expenses and even the possibility of losing your business.

These are just a few examples of the types of commodity broker insurance coverage that commodity brokers should have in place.

Commodity Broker's Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposure is often minimal since most of the client contact is done electronically or by mail. If clients visit the premises, they must be confined to designated areas to prevent them from overhearing private conversations or gaining access to other clients' confidential information.

To prevent slips, trips, or falls, all areas accessible to customers should be well lighted with floor coverings in good condition. The number of exits must be sufficient, and be well marked, with backup lighting in case of power failure.

Parking lots and sidewalks need to be in good repair with snow and ice removed, and generally level and free of exposure to slips and falls. Off-premises exposures arise from sales visits, training sessions, and similar work at the customer's premises. There should be policies and training as to off-site conduct by employees.

Professional liability exposure is extensive due to the handling of futures contracts and the necessity for client confidentiality. Working with individual clients presents fewer professional exposures than working with corporate clients.

Commodities brokers are licensed and are expected to act responsibly for both the buyer and the seller. The exposure increases if the broker fails to conduct thorough background checks to verify employees' credentials, education, and licensing, ignores or has inadequate error checking procedures, or allows clerical workers to do tasks that only professionals should handle such as putting in orders or offering investment advice.

The handling and sharing of information not generally available to the public is a serious exposure, sometimes resulting in allegations of insider trading. Ongoing training must be required for all employees. Policy and procedure manuals should be updated regularly. Very serious losses may result from failure to document decisions and actions or to secure client approval.

All employees must be supervised and monitored, and must take at least one consecutive week of vacation a year.

Workers compensation exposures are generally limited to those of an office. Since work is done on computers, potential injuries include eyestrain, neck strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and similar cumulative trauma injuries that can be addressed through ergonomically designed workstations.

Some commodity brokers travel extensively for sales presentations and similar activities. Workers can be injured by slips and falls at clients' premises or in automobile accidents.

Property exposures are generally limited to that of an office, although there may be some incidental storage or an area for meetings. Ignition sources include electrical wiring, heating and air conditioning equipment, wear, and overheating of equipment. Computers and other electronic equipment may be targets for theft.

Crime exposure is from employee dishonesty, which can be quite serious as commodity brokers frequently have access to their clients' personal and proprietary information, including investment accounts, and handle large values. Potential for theft, directly or by means of identity theft, is great.

Hazards increase without proper background checks, along with monitoring procedures and securing of all records to prevent unauthorized access. All job duties, such as ordering, billing and disbursing should be separate and reconciled on a regular basis.

Receipts should be issued for any cash payments received. Bank deposits should be made on a timely basis to limit the buildup of cash on premises. Audits should be performed at least annually. All transactions should be handled in accordance with CFTC guidelines.

Inland marine exposures consist of accounts receivable if the broker offers credit, computers, and valuable papers and records for customers' and vendors' information. Clients' records and approvals are typically originals that are difficult to re-create.

Power failure and power surges are potentially severe hazards. A morale hazard may be indicated if the insured does not keep valuable papers and disks in fireproof file cabinets to protect them from smoke, water, and fire. Duplicates should be kept off-site to allow for re-creation in the event of a loss.

Business auto exposure is generally limited to hired and non-owned. If vehicles are supplied to employees, there should be written procedures in place regarding personal use by employees and their family members. All drivers must have appropriate licenses and acceptable MVRs. Vehicles must be maintained, and records kept in a central location.

What Does Commodity Broker Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Commodity brokers can be sued for various reasons, including but not limited to the following:

Breach of fiduciary duty: Commodity brokers have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of their clients. If they breach this duty, they may be sued for damages.
Insurance solution: Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance can help cover the costs of legal defense and settlements or judgments arising from such lawsuits.

Misrepresentation or omission of facts: If a broker misrepresents or fails to disclose material information, clients may sue for any losses incurred as a result of the misinformation.
Insurance solution: E&O insurance can help cover the costs of legal defense and any settlements or judgments arising from misrepresentation or omission of facts.

Unauthorized trading: Clients may sue if a broker executes trades without their authorization, causing financial losses.
Insurance solution: E&O insurance can help cover the costs of legal defense, settlements, and judgments resulting from unauthorized trading claims.

Churning: Churning occurs when a broker excessively trades in a client's account to generate higher commissions. This practice is illegal and can lead to lawsuits.
Insurance solution: E&O insurance can help cover the costs of legal defense, settlements, and judgments arising from churning claims.

Failure to supervise: If a brokerage firm fails to adequately supervise its brokers and their activities, the firm may be held liable for any resulting losses to clients. Insurance solution: E&O insurance can help cover the costs of legal defense, settlements, and judgments arising from claims of inadequate supervision.

Negligence: Clients may sue brokers for financial losses resulting from negligent advice or management of their accounts.
Insurance solution: E&O insurance can help cover the costs of legal defense, settlements, and judgments arising from negligence claims.

In summary, E&O insurance is a crucial risk management tool for commodity brokers. It provides financial protection against potential lawsuits, covering the costs of legal defense, settlements, and judgments. By having adequate insurance coverage, commodity brokers can focus on their business operations while mitigating the risks associated with lawsuits.

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

• SIC CODE: 6221 Commodity Contracts Brokers and Dealers
• NAICS CODE: 523140 Commodity Contracts Brokerage
• Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 8810 Clerical Office Employees NOC

Description for 6221: Commodity Contracts Brokers and Dealers

Division H: Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate | Major Group 62: Security And Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges, And Services | Industry Group 622: Commodity Contracts Brokers And Dealers

6221 Commodity Contracts Brokers and Dealers: Establishments primarily engaged in buying and selling commodity contracts on either a spot or future basis for their own account or for the account of others. These establishments are members, or are associated with members, of recognized commodity exchanges. Establishments primarily engaged in buying and selling commodities are classified in Wholesale Trade.

• Commodity brokers (contracts)
• Commodity dealers (contracts)
• Futures brokers, commodity
• Futures dealers, commodity
• Traders, commodity contract

Commodity Broker Insurance - The Bottom Line

To find out more about the specifics, including any other protections that you may need and the amount of commodity broker insurance coverage you should carry, speak with a reputable insurance agent.

Additional Resources For Professional Services Insurance

Get informed about small business professional services insurance, including Professional liability, aka errors and omissions (E&O insurance), that protects your business against claims that a professional service you provided caused your client financial loss.

• Accounting
• Actuaries
• Answering Service
• Architects
• Armored Car
• Attorney Lawyer
• Auctioneer
• Auditor
• Background Music Services
• Bookkeeping
• Business Consulting
• Chemical Engineers
• Civil Engineers
• Claims Adjuster
• Commercial Laundries
• Commodity Broker
• Corporate Wellness
• Couriers
• Court Reporter
• Credit Bureaus
• Debt Collection Agency
• Draftsman
• Detective Agency
• Diaper Services
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering
• Environmental Consultant
• Executive, Career & Life Coaching
• Executive Search Firm
• Expert Witness
• Financial Planner
• Financial Services
• Funeral Directors
• HR Consultant
• Inspection Bureaus
• Insurance Agents & Brokers Insurance
• Interpreter
• Mediator - Arbitrator
• Medical Billing
• Music, Drama & Dance Therapy
• Notary
• Office Machine Repair & Maintenance
• Piano Tuners
• Project Management
• Safety Consultants
• Speakers Bureaus
• Stockbrokers
• Surveyor
• Tax Preparer
• Temporary Staffing
• Title Abstractors
• Valet Parking
• Specialty Consultants
• Specialty Service Business

The professional services industry, which includes occupations such as lawyers, doctors, accountants, and architects, often deals with sensitive and complex issues that carry a high risk of liability. These professionals are expected to provide their clients with expert advice and guidance, and any mistakes or oversights can result in significant financial consequences for both the client and the professional. This is where insurance comes into play.

Business insurance provides protection against the financial repercussions of potential mistakes or accidents that may occur while providing professional services. For example, a lawyer may make an error in their legal representation that leads to a financial loss for their client. Without insurance, the lawyer would be personally responsible for covering the cost of this loss. Insurance helps to protect professionals from these types of financial burdens and allows them to focus on providing high-quality services to their clients.

In addition to protecting against financial losses, commercial insurance can also provide legal defense for professionals facing legal action as a result of their work. This can be especially important for professionals in high-stress or high-risk fields, such as doctors or architects, who may be at a higher risk of being sued for professional negligence.

Overall, the professional services industry needs insurance to protect against financial losses and legal action, ensuring that professionals can continue to provide high-quality services to their clients without the added stress and burden of potential financial consequences.

Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Business Personal Property, Employee Dishonesty, Accounts Receivable, Computers, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Employee Benefits Liability, Professional Liability, Umbrella Liability, Hired and Non-owned Auto Liability & Workers Compensation.

Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Building, Business Income with Extra Expense, Earthquake, Equipment Breakdown, Flood, Computer Fraud, Forgery, Money and Securities, Special Floater, Cyber Liability, Employment-related Practices Liability, Business Auto Liability and Physical Damage and Stop Gap Liability.