Obtaining Insurance

If you're truly relying on your eBay sales as your sole source of employment, you'll need to obtain health and disability insurance for yourself and your family (if you don't already have it)and, if you're incorporated, for your employees. While eBay offers a health insurance plan to PowerSellers, all other sellers are on their own.

Note

Learn more about PayPal and credit card payments in Chapter 16, "Managing Customer Payments."

You can also shop for health insuranceand find a wealth of other informationwhen you join the National Association for the Self-Employed (www.nase.org), a great organization for all types of self-employed businesspeople.

Fortunately, while you're on your own, you're not truly alone; there are many health-care insurance providers that offer plans for small businesses and the self-employed. In addition, many business organizations and associations offer group insurance plans to their members. Here are some websites you can use to search for small business health insurance:

• HealthInsurance.com (www.healthinsurance.com)

• Health Insurance Resource Center (www.healthinsurance.org)

• Insure.com (www.insure.com)

• National Association of Socially Responsible Organizations (www.nasro-co-op.com)

You should also consider obtaining insurance on your business itself. This type of business insurance is designed to protect you from specific business liabilities, such as creditors and potential lawsuits. Check with your insurance agent to shape a policy that works for you.