If you are a business owner with a physical location, you’ll need to prepare your business for any upcoming storms. In order to make sure your business will be able to bounce back immediately after any disaster and ensure the safety of your employees, it’s a good idea to make a business disaster plan.
Below is more about creating a disaster plan for your business, what steps you can take to protect your property, and what you can do if your insurance provider decides to deny a legitimate claim in bad faith.
Creating a Business Disaster Plan
Here are some things you’ll need to consider when putting together your plan:
Account for a Business Disruption
The first thing you need to consider and account for is how your business will be disrupted. There is a strong chance that employees will need time off, customers may take a while to come back, and the supply chain may be disrupted. Take all of these things into account when building your plan.
Prepare to Monitor the Storm
As the storm nears, monitor it and have an evacuation plan in place. This includes both securing your business and ensuring your employees are able to leave safely. It’s best to prep your business as the storm nears and not wait until the last minute.
You can use NOAA Weather Radio for weather updates and Traffic Incidents – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (flhsmv.gov) to monitor traffic for your evacuation. Make sure you have a battery-powered radio available in case your electricity goes out so you can continue to monitor the storm and any emergency communications.
Be Careful Re-Entering Your Property
Once the storm has passed, you need to be extremely careful when checking your property out. There may be safety hazards present. Once the building is considered safe, you can start on repairs. Consider what contractors you can hire to help with this, if needed.
For more information about planning, preparing your business, and creating a continuity plan, check out Business | Ready.gov.
How to Prep Your Business Before the Hurricane
Before a hurricane hits, there are a few things you can do to mitigate the damage. These include:
- Purchasing emergency shutters for your business
- Purchasing sandbags that you can place around the property
- Trimming any foliage or branches to avoid falling damage
- Removing debris from around your business that can cause damage in high winds
Filing a Claim
Once your business has been hit by a hurricane, you need to start the process of filing an insurance claim. The sooner you get started, the better.
When you file, make sure you take note of all of the damage. Take photos, make lists, and take some videos of the damage. Also, make sure you collect any documentation you receive from your insurance provider and even consider recording phone calls with the company. You’ll want all of the evidence possible in case they decide to deny your claim in bad faith.
What If My Insurance Company Denies My Claim in Bad Faith?
If you filed properly, your insurance company is required to pay your claim. With that said, insurance providers will sometimes deny a claim in bad faith. The good news is, you don’t have to accept that denial! You can fight back with the help of Colucci Law Group.
Colucci Law Group consists of legal experts that provide clients with support to combat bad faith claim denials. We will provide you with an experienced, expert business property insurance lawyer to represent you in a suit against your insurance provider. We are also able to file your claim for you and defend your rights, so you get the settlement that you deserve.
For more information about our property insurance legal services, reach out today. We’d be happy to help you to file your claim or represent you in a lawsuit against your insurance provider.
If you suspect that you are the victim of a bad faith insurance claim denial, we can help. The Colucci Law Group has the resources to assess the validity of your claim at no cost to you. For a free consultation, email us or call our Dunedin office at 727-733-9438. You may also call our Fort Myers office at 239-378-7800. Our team assists victims of bad-faith insurance claims across the state of Florida.