Experts estimate that the effects of the national peanut butter recall could cost America's peanut industry roughly $1 billion in lost production and sales. Sales of peanut butter products have fallen off dramatically since the outbreak was announced.

The salmonella outbreak has been tracked to Peanut Corp.'s plant in Blakely, Georgia. Salmonella was also found in products that originated from the company's plant in Plainview, Texas.

The Center for Disease Control reports that as many as nine deaths may be attributed to the outbreak.

Those who filed lawsuits against the company are holding on to one last hope: the company's insurance policy.

The Peanut Corporation of America has a separate insurance policy that covers up to $12 million in personal injury coverage. Whether or not the policy will include damages tied to the salmonella outbreak, however, is currently being argued in court.

Even if the court rules in Peanut Corporation of America's favor, the $12 million in personal injury coverage may not be enough to cover the monumental losses.

According to the National Center for Peanut Competitiveness (yes, this is a legitimate organization) at the University of Georgia, peanut farmers are likely to reduce their peanut-growing acreage by at least one-third to compensate for decreased demand.

The losses for restaurants, grocers, candy manufacturers, ice cream vendors and other small businesses have yet to be tallied.

Salmonella bacteria can cause fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Symptoms appear within a few days of ingestion, and typically last four to seven days. Most people make a full recovery, but salmonella can be serious in elderly, infants, and others with weakened immune systems. If you've ingested a few too many bad peanuts, you need a health insurance policy to gain access to affordable medical care.

The lesson here is simple: if your company screws up badly enough, even $12 million in personal injury coverage may not be enough to keep your business afloat.

But if you own a business and run it properly, business insurance can help keep it protected.