The recent hurricanes have left a trail of destruction throughout the nation. In the wake of these consecutive natural disasters, small business owners are left reeling from loss. However, it’s not too late to take action (if you haven’t already) to save your business. In this article, we’ll cover the basics of how to recover from a storm and get your business up and running again. Today and in the future, protect your business with an Orlando Commercial Property Insurance policy.
Evaluate the scope of damage.
Being eager to get back into the swing of things is tempting, but don’t rush it if the building is in poor condition. Excessive flooding and forceful winds go hand in hand with structural and foundational damage, both of which put your business at risk for collapsing. Look for sagging walls, slanted floors, cracks in the baseboards or foundation, and a concaving roof. If any of these are present, avoid going inside until professional structural engineers can assist you to guarantee your safety.
Know when to file a claim.
If your location has significant damage, you’ll of course want to contact your insurance company as quickly as possible to file a claim. However, if you’re dealing with some minor damage and are unsure about filing a claim or not, Jeff Dudan, CEO of mold and water damage cleanup company AdvantaClean, said it’s best to price out your options before contacting your insurance company. Contacting insurance companies about an issue can count as a claim on your coverage and impact your future rates even if you decide to take care of the problem yourself, he explains to Small Business Trends.
Protect your employees.
Your employees are your lifeline, and you don’t want to take advantage of their dedication to your business. Provide them with ample personal protective equipment should they need it when getting back into work to protect them from mold damage. Allow them regular breaks and plenty of rest time if they are helping clean up as it’s easy to become overworked and fatigued.
Track recovery expenses.
Apart from just tracking expenses for insurance claims, be sure to track how much money you’re spending on cleaning, how many hours your employees are contributing, food and water for helpers, lost income, and more. This will come in handy when you file your taxes and are able to get tax breaks from the IRS to recover.
About Newman Crane & Associates Insurance
Deciding what coverages you need and what limits and deductibles make the most sense can be tricky. Since 1965, Newman Crane & Associates Insurance has been helping Central Floridians make sense of their options and make the smartest choices for their circumstances. We encourage you to contact our friendly, experienced, and capable team today. Call us at (407) 859-3691 for a consultation.