A deeper look at our target segments: Business and Personal Services

Business and Personal Services


These services are typically provided to other businesses and often involve specialized knowledge or expertise, like financial planners, or are rendered directly to individuals, typically involving a high degree of personal interaction and customization, like barber shops.
Appetite at a glance





 Business Category 
Examples 


Animal Services 


Veterinarians
Kennels & Boarding 
Pet Sitting & Walking 




Financial & Professional Services 


Finance & Investment Institutions 
Insurance Companies & Brokers 
Accountants, Bookkeepers 
Mortgage Brokers 
Financial Planners 




Consulting Services 


Management, Business, HR, Immigration, Marketing, Energy, Environmental, Meteorology 
Educational, Employment, Retirement 




Real Estate & Legal Services 


Real Estate Agents 
Lawyers, Paralegals, Notaries 
Land Surveyors 
Appraisers, Inspectors 




Creative & Media Services 


Photography Studios 
Videography 
Graphic & Web Design 
Public Relations 




Personal & Beauty Services 


Barber Shops 
Beauty Salons 
Tailors/Seamstresses 
Dry Cleaning Depots 




Education & Career Services 


Driving Schools 
Travel Agencies 
Employment Agencies 
Resume & Career Advisory Services 




Cleaning & Maintenance Services 


Janitorial (Residential & Commercial) 
Duct Cleaning 
Window Cleaning 
Chimney Sweeps 




Repair & Technical Services 


Electronic & Appliance Repair 
Furniture Refinishers 
Locksmiths, Small Engine Repair 






General underwriting considerations 


Specialized coverage needs: Evaluate whether the insured requires specialized coverage such as Errors & Omissions or a Professional Liability Extension. While this is often sourced through specialty markets, Gore may offer this extension for select classes, including beauty salons, optometrists, and audiologists. 
Client-specific exposures: Consider the unique needs of the business. For example, a lawyer may require additional coverage for valuable papers, or a business may need tailored business interruption coverage depending on the presence of specialized equipment or ease of relocation. 
Professional certifications: Confirm that the insured holds any required professional designations, such as those for accountants or lawyers. Many professional associations include professional coverage as part of their membership benefits and thus exposure is more closely related to an office exposure. 
Geographic scope: Gore only writes businesses based in Canada. If there is incidental work or sales outside of Canada, such as destination photography, discuss the details with your underwriter.  
Submission quality: Clearly outlining the scope and nature of services in your submission supports a smooth underwriting review and faster turnaround, improving your overall experience.  
Specificity of services: Clearly identify the exact services offered. For example, offerings like tattooing or microblading may fall outside Gore’s appetite.  
Premises condition and age: For businesses operating out of older buildings (40+ years), ensure that key systems (electrical, plumbing, heating, and roofing) have been updated and that the premises are well maintained.  
Emerging risks: Stay alert to evolving exposures such as drone use in photography or other technology-driven services. These may require additional review. 


Real-world example: why we wrote this account



Client profile: Law firm – Office exposure only
Established: 2022
Locations: 5 offices across Canada
Annual revenue: $15M
Avg. insured value per location: $3.5M
Risk highlights:  

Claims-free history 
Continuous coverage 
Buildings are older but fully updated (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roof) 
Snow removal contracts in place 
Professional liability (E&O) placed elsewhere