When major storms or disasters strike, Houston businesses can be impacted in a number of ways, including major power outages, utility interruptions, structural damage, flooding, and the loss of customers and revenue. For many business owners, early disaster preparation can be the difference between reopening in a few days or weeks, and having to permanently close the business.

The Internet offers business owners, individuals, and families a wide variety of options when it comes to researching and purchasing insurance. However, no amount of Internet browsing or online searches can yield the same benefits of having a dedicated insurance agent for commercial or personal coverage. In today's blog post, we'll look at the three primary reasons why consumers need a dedicated insurance agent for insurance questions and purchases.

Business owners rely on a variety of Commercial Insurance policies to protect their business, assets, and employees. Unfortunately, a large number of businesses throughout our region forgo Commercial Flood Insurance, which is a major risk in a flood-prone city like Houston. Heavy rainfall from storms, tropical disturbances and hurricanes can easily lead to flash flooding of offices, restaurants, retail shops, and other commercial businesses.

A growing number of industries within the Houston area depend on corporate fleet vehicles to meet customer demands, deliver products, or perform service calls and repairs. However, companies can still find themselves vulnerable to losses and damages if employees and company drivers are not properly trained on how to safely operate a fleet vehicle.

Businesses rely on company assets to provide valuable services to customers, create their products, and generate revenue. Business assets might include computer systems, smartphones, inventory, raw materials, company fleet vehicles, tools, specialized machinery, and sensitive customer data. Protecting these assets is crucial for businesses, but unfortunately, many business owners do not take security seriously until it is too late and they've become victim to thieves, vandals, or trespassers.

Houston business owners know that a successful company is more than just a product or service. It's a combination of important components such as an office or warehouse, employees, outdoor signs, beautiful landscaping and trees, equipment, company vehicles, inventory, and furniture. Businesses often utilize all these assets in order to achieve maximum productivity and value. When these assets are threatened or damaged, it can put business owners in a dire financial situation as the replacement and repair costs can be astronomical.

Growing businesses often come with growing pains, as owners usually need additional revenue, labor, equipment, inventory, and vehicles in order to meet customer needs and complete daily activities. As businesses expand, they may need to transition from using a single company vehicle or personal vehicle for business to company fleet vehicles to complete service calls and deliveries. Purchasing or leasing fleet vehicles is an important investment for any business owner, so it's important to protect fleet vehicles as well as the employees using them.

Tax time can be a revealing time for business owners, as receipts and accounting records can clearly indicate spending trends and expenses that exceeded budgets or expectations. However, businesses still have an opportunity to reduce business expenses for the current year and improve their bottom line with a few proactive steps. In today's blog post, we'll highlight three areas in which business can realize significant savings in their annual budget to allow financial resources to be focused elsewhere.

A large number of Houston area businesses, offices, and schools have found themselves victims of a theft growing in popularity among criminals, which is stealing valuable metals. Thieves will often strike at night and make off with copper and aluminum components from air conditioning units, manufacturing plants, or construction sites to sell to scrap metal recyclers. Metal thieves can cause thousands of dollars in damages, repair costs, and property and inventory loss for property owners, as well as revenue losses while repairs are made.

Business owners know that there are a variety of obstacles to overcome in order to achieve success and growth in their business. In addition, businesses must avoid common pitfalls and mistakes that have doomed other businesses, such as hiring the wrong people, buying poor quality equipment, or choosing the wrong location for their office or storefront. In today's blog post, we'll look at three insurance mistakes that all new businesses should avoid, to ultimately help their businesses achieve future success.