by Brianna Crandall — September 26, 2016 — Small businesses can be vulnerable during any kind of disaster, but especially during severe weather events. A new infographic from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) depicts steps for businesses to “Get Prepared.” September is National Preparedness Month and the peak of hurricane season, notes IBHS.
From facilities to finances, the infographic guides business owners through the crucial steps to protect their organizations from natural disasters on an easy-to-read timeline from the calm before the storm to the recovery period. Among the disaster planning tips are:
- Maintain updated business inventories;
- Inspect roofs and grounds and remove debris;
- Review insurance policies for adequate property and business interruption coverage;
- Inspect building and conduct needed repairs; and
- Back up computer data immediately before an event.
From facilities to finances, the infographic offers natural disaster planning and recovery tips to guide small business owners through the whole process. Click to enlarge.
“Taking time now to prepare saves money later,” said Gail Moraton, business resiliency manager for IBHS. “We know many small businesses don’t reopen after disaster strikes. Planning ahead for continuity of the physical property and finances can help companies reopen more quickly, stay in business and weather the potential effects of a disaster.”
“Unlike large companies, small business owners have to be their own risk managers,” pointed out Loretta Worters, a vice president with the I.I.I. “Identifying their risks and working with their insurance professional to determine the right type and amount of insurance will help businesses recover more quickly.”
Visit the Business Protection section of the IBHS Web site and the Business Insurance section of the I.I.I. Web site for more disaster planning information. Both sites provide numerous additional resources for emergency preparedness and recovery from all types of disasters, as well as standards and insurance information.
