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. In today's blog post, we will look at how businesses can prepare for disasters such as hurricanes, floods, fires and more, and how proactive steps now can expedite the recovery process later.
Protect Assets With Commercial Insurance
Fire and flood damage can be very costly for businesses, especially for those without the right amount and type of commercial insurance coverage. Businesses that opt for only the minimum amounts of state required coverage often end up in a financial bind when major damages occur due to a fire or flood. Quality commercial insurance coverage allows businesses to have the financial resources available to quickly repair building damage, replace commercial tools and equipment, and resume normal business operations. This minimizes the length of closure and potential loss of revenue and customers.
Develop Disaster Preparation Plan
A Disaster Preparation Plan can help businesses identify and prioritize the steps necessary to protect assets and sensitive company data in the event of a major disaster or weather event. A Disaster Preparation Plan might include storing financial records, customer data, emails, and electronic files to a cloud-based system or offsite location to prevent the loss of critical information. Plans can also include safely storing and securing vital tools and equipment that will be needed to resume full business operations. In addition, businesses can develop contingency plans for working from home or an alternate site to reduce closure time, especially for time-sensitive businesses such as law firms or contractors.
Establish Disaster Communication Contacts
Businesses also benefit by developing disaster communication plans to ensure all critical information is passed clearly between business owners, employees and customers. Too often, employees and customers are left in the dark after a major disaster while business owners and managers scramble to reach one another to make decisions and assess damages. A proactive communication plan in the event of a disaster ensures there are points of contact established so that any business owner, employee or customer can get the most up-to-date information regarding damages, closures, and business updates.
By taking proactive steps now, Houston businesses can be better prepared to weather any kind of storm or disaster and hopefully avoid lengthy closures or delays. Aegis is a proud partner of many Houston area businesses and companies that depend on reliable, affordable, and top-quality commercial insurance coverage to meet their needs if disaster strikes. Aegis proudly offers a variety of Commercial Insurance policies, including Business Owners Policy, Commercial Flood Insurance, Commercial Auto, Workers Compensation, General Liability, Excess Liability, and Commercial Property Coverage. Contact Aegis today at 713-850-7622 for more information, or go online for a free quote today!