THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2023
If a storm, tornado or flood destroyed your workplace tomorrow, what would happen to the business? Preparing for catastrophe is something that all business owners should consider well before forecasts call for bad weather. Your independent insurance agent likely has contacts and resources that can help you prepare for Mother Nature’s worst. In the meantime, here’s a brief overview of how to prepare your small business for a storm.
Identify Problem Areas
A great place to start is to determine the likelihood of certain disasters in the area. Is the dry climate prone to wildfires or is the coastal area at risk of a hurricane? You must also predict the impact that these disasters can have on your business, from property damage to a marred reputation. It may be beneficial to hire a professional who can complete a business impact analysis (BIA), which can identify both storm risks and weaknesses in your current emergency plan.
Create an Emergency Response Plan
Every business should have a plan for emergencies and your staff should be trained on those policies. Points to focus on are exiting the building, finding the meeting place, safeguarding records, inventory management and communications. Having a crisis communications plan (with a clear spokesperson) helps you speak with both employees and customers, which helps you hold to your company’s reputation of customer service.
Protect Your Data
Your emergency plan should include a method of constantly backing up your business’ data and customer records. Without this information, it may mean the end of your business. You should be backing up both internally and externally on a regular basis so you data is safe even if the building is destroyed.
Get the Right Coverage
Speak with your independent insurance agent about the right business insurance policies to protect everything you’ve worked hard for, despite weather-related setbacks. Along with property coverage, you may also consider business interruption coverage to help under these circumstances.
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