Hurricane Checklist from Agent Steve Barry Great Florida Insurance 27604 Cashford Circle Suite 102 Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 www.BarryInsuranceInc.com Steve.Barry@GreatFlorida.com 813-991-6969
Having a clear, actionable plan in place before a hurricane strikes can help minimize damage to people and property, and make recovery move as quickly as possible. The checklist provided below is designed to provide a starting point for issues that your business should consider before this year’s hurricane season begins.
Keep in mind that this is only a general overview. This overview should not be taken as advice regarding any individual situation and should not, therefore, be relied upon as such. Check with your Insurance Agent regarding specific coverage issues.
It is important to know that over 25% of all Flood’s happen in “low risk” flood zones. Just because the lender doesn’t require flood insurance doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have it!
- Review Your Property Insurance Policy
- Property Loss Control and Security Measures
- Business Continuity, Emergency Response, & Crisis Management Plans
- Employee Safety & Recovery Resources
1. Review Your Property Insurance Policy
- Understand the extent of your policy limits
- Determine if flood is covered or excluded
- Review your policy deductibles
- Understand the details and time element of your business interruption coverage
- Be prepared to meet any and all time-sensitive provisions in your policy; such as requirements on filing proof of loss
- Know how your property is valued under your policy
- Verify if your policy covers screened enclosures, lanai’s, and pool cages.
2. Property Loss Control
Establish plans for mitigating property damage.
- Before a storm prepare steps to minimize damage, such as:
- Pre-cut plywood
- Sandbags
- Plastic or visqueen and tape
- Plan for moving equipment, files, furniture, records, etc. to interior of the building or off premises
- Know how to shut off your gas, electricity, and water
- After a storm passes
- Contact your agent if you have losses
- Make only those repairs that are necessary to prevent further damage. This must include covering breaks if a roof, walls, or windows.
- Prepare a detailed inventory of all damaged or destroyed property for the adjuster. Keep a copy for yourself.
- Take photos of the damaged areas.
- If vehicles have been submerged in a flood, move it to high ground.
- Dry and clean furniture and fixtures as quickly and thoroughly as possible.
- Review security resources that may be needed
- Fencing
- Barriers
- Additional Manpower
- Etc.
- Create and maintain a phone list to include
- Roofing Contractors
- Electrical Contractors
- Restoration Contractors
3. Business Continuity
- Review your supply chain for any potential impact
- Inside the strike zone
- Outside the strike zone
- Evaluate possible impacts on customer service
- Assess crisis management plans and response procedures
- Institute crisis communications protocols
- Establish procedures and responsibilities for gathering and processing claims information
- Secure and duplicate vital financial records
4. Employee Safety and Recovery
- Review and update employee evacuation and notification plans
- Review and update employee home and emergency contact lists
- Make sure that employees are aware of emergency policies and procedures
- Ensure that any employees who stay on site during a storm have current contact lists, potable water, nonperishable food, first-aid kits, flashlights, hand-held radios or cell phones, and other supplies
- Arrange for employees to work remotely if possible
- Establish procedures to account for employees and to disseminate information
For more information please visit FEMA.GOV or BarryInsuranceInc.com
Best Regards,
Steve Barry Great Florida Insurance
