How to Protect Your Business from Natural Disasters

Natural disasters can happen anywhere, at any time, and can affect everyone. If you own a business, you need to prepare for natural disasters, just as you would at home. By being prepared for disaster, you can mitigate some potential damage. While taking preventative measures is a good first-line of defense, sometimes disasters are inevitable. Insurance is also important to help protect your small business. These tips can help you prepare your business from natural disasters.

Keeping Your Employees Safe

Keeping your employees safe is the most important thing. They are essential to your business and are irreplaceable.

Establish an evacuation and emergency plan. Make sure that all employees are informed on what to do if disaster strikes. Hold drills so that everyone can practice and is familiar with the plan.
Have a back-up generator or emergency lights in case the power goes out. That way, your employees can find a safe exit.
If there are dangerous road conditions, do not let you employees venture out.
Make sure that your business has proper alarms and systems to alert employees of danger. Be sure to test these alarms so that they function properly in the times of need. Be sure to change batteries if needed
Check out this article by FEMA to help you make an emergency plan for your business.

Keeping Your Business Safe

After your employees are safe, take measures to protect your business as well.

Create an up-to-date inventory. List all of your assets and make copies of important documents so you can access them in the future. You may also want to take video of your assets of your business as a record. Keep a copy of your inventory in a safe place so they won’t get lost in a disaster situation.
Create a backup of important systems and documents. This way it will be easier to recover it even if your equipment is damaged. Store them in a safe and secure location outside of your business’s property.
Hire a professional to assess your commercial property. They can give recommendations on ways to make your business safer. Is your roof in good condition? Are there places you can install alarms? Should you install fire doors? A professional can assess the situation and provide ways to make your business more resistant to disaster.
Talk to your insurance agent about your small business insurance. They can make sure that your coverage is up to date and can help guide you to the right coverage for your business. Depending on what area your business is located, you may want to consider getting additional policies, such as flood insurance. You may also want to ask about an umbrella policy, also known as excess liability coverage.

From fires, to floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes – natural disasters can cause some serious damage to your business. Take action and help protect your business before disaster strikes. Sometimes damage is preventable. Sometimes it is not. Make sure to talk to your insurance agent to help protect your business financially.

Talk to an Encharter agent today at 888.754.8299 today!

Additional Resources:
https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/planning/natural-disaster-planning-for-your-business
https://www.fema.gov/media-library/resources-documents/collections/357#