The finer points of business interruption insurance are generally not common knowledge among microbusiness owners, who are often subject matter experts but novices in the "business" side of operations. This means that even those who are aware that interruption coverage exists may not know what to look for in an endorsement. In discussions with microbusiness clients, agents and brokers should be sure to address key exclusions and deductible issues that affect this demographic most profoundly:

Extra expense riders: In a standard business interruption endorsement, benefits that pay for rent and related costs only cover the costs of a business's current premises. If the business is forced to relocate to a more expensive location, it will have to make up the difference in leasing costs out of pocket. Extra expense riders allow for some wiggle room in this area, eliminating a possible source of financial strain.
Contingent business interruption (CBI) coverage: This is a key protection for businesses that rely heavily on partners or suppliers to conduct their commerce. CBI pays out if and when a covered event hits a business' suppliers or partners and prevents normal operations even though the covered business itself remains intact. However, CBI often comes with coverage limits lower than the endorsement's total limit, so agents should make sure their clients are aware of the limits of coverage they can expect to receive.
Utility coverage: Coverage for electricity and other utilities during a business interruption is excluded from the typical business interruption endorsement. Businesses concerned about these expenses, however, can add a utility rider to their endorsement.
Civil authority and ingress/egress coverage: During Superstorm Sandy, governors in affected states issued mandatory evacuation orders as a preventative measure against damage and injury. The result was that some businesses were forced to close their doors even though the hurricane ultimately didn't cause any physical damage to their property. In other scenarios, blocked-off areas might prevent a business owner and customers from accessing a storefront, again preventing commerce without actually causing any damage. Microbusinesses have the option of choosing business interruption insurance that covers both of these perils, which can cause significant financial loss, especially if they occur during a peak operating season.

In addition to these exclusions and additions, brokers should warn their microbusiness clients about the time deductibles that are often included in business interruption policies. Many policies come with a 72-hour time deductible, meaning that business owners need to have a business continuity plan to take them through the first 3 days of any interruption, as well as the period between submission of claims and receipt of benefits.

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