In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, thousands of homes and businesses across the Gulf Coast need repairs and renovations, either because of wind damage, tornadoes, or the floodwaters that devastated our region. As a result, contractors and repair companies have inundated our area to provide these much-needed services. But, there are some contractors who are only here to take advantage of unsuspecting or vulnerable customers, and some property owners may find themselves becoming a victim again because of these scammers and their fraudulent work.

The Houston area is still deep in recovery mode from the devastating floods caused by Hurricane Harvey. Businesses and their employees have been impacted across a wide expanse of the city, and for some companies, the damage may be too great to overcome. However, many companies were completely spared from major damages or flooding, and there are several important lessons they can learn from the damage inflicted on our area. In today's Aegis blog post, we look at three lessons companies can learn from Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath.

Houstonians rely greatly on their cars and trucks, largely because of our city's vast size and minimal public transportation options. However, over 19,000 of area vehicles experienced some form of vehicle flood damage during the historic Tax Day floods of 2016. While some of these flooded vehicles were completely submerged and sent to salvage yards, many were cleaned up and resold to unsuspecting buyers or used car lots.

When it comes to starting a new business, there are a variety of misconceptions and incorrect theories regarding how best to begin and successfully operate a business. Some business owners might believe that location doesn't really matter, that quality isn't an important issue for customers, and that most business insurance isn't really necessary. In reality, location is a critical issue for new businesses, most customers insist on high quality, and business insurance is always necessary to have, especially for companies with higher risks and liability issues.

Texas has long been home to some of the most dynamic restaurants and top dining experiences in the nation, offering customers bold flavors, inventive techniques, and stunning plates. Because of our state's stable economy, growing population, and business-friendly environment, restaurateurs continue to flock to Texas to begin their own dining establishments. While owning a restaurant can be exciting and highly rewarding, it can also come with a host of issues and liability risks for owners.

The 2016 hurricane season is officially underway, and with it comes the unease of knowing the Gulf Coast could take a direct hit from a hurricane or other serious tropical storm. Although hurricane preparation is often directed towards individuals and families, businesses should also take time to prepare for a hurricane to protect against severe losses and minimize commercial property damage.

Weather is reliably unpredictable. Even when forecasters and meteorologists warn residents about approaching storms, there is no way for them to accurately predict the severity of rainfall and accompanying wind and lightning. As a result, residents and businesses owners need to understand what to do when dangerous weather approaches in order to protect themselves and their assets. In light of recent storms and floods throughout the greater Houston area, today's blog focuses on what to do when facing dangerous floodwaters to prevent flood-related deaths or damages.

One of the first questions any business owner is asked when researching commercial insurance options is where the business is located. While there are a number of factors that impact a business's risk, location is one of the most influential when it comes to premium rates, coverage options, endorsements, and exclusions. There is no such thing as the perfect location for a business, but understanding and thoroughly researching a location before establishing a business can significantly reduce potential risk.

The Houston area recently experienced record levels of rainfall in a very short period of time, leading to flash floods throughout the city and surrounding suburbs. Thousands of businesses, homes, and vehicles were left with damage, totaling millions in repair and replacement costs.

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.