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You never think a disaster will happen to you – until it does. A weather event can bring troubles ranging from a minor flood to total property devastation. Unfortunately, 40% of small businesses never recover after a major disaster.
But an unforeseen flood, fire or other disaster doesn't have to mean the end of your company. With the right preparation, a disaster recovery plan in place, and a game plan for the immediate aftermath, it's possible to keep your doors open with as little loss as possible.
Re-establish Operations
Whether your work can be handled remotely or not, your first step should be to activate your disaster recovery plan. It's essential for a business to have this plan in place before disaster strikes. Get in touch with executives or your management team, delegate anything feasible, and ensure all employees are safe and accounted for. If necessary, set up a temporary headquarters. Stay in communication to keep employees active and engaged in business activities.
If your premises is closed or operations are interrupted, communicate this as quickly as possible. Send out emails to as many customers as you can, and post messages on social media and your website explaining the extent of your outages.
Call Your Insurance Agent
Insurance is designed to safeguard you against damages. After a disaster is exactly the time to use it. Before you take further steps to remedy any damage, contact your local independent agent. No matter the extent of coverage, your insurance agent can help you best understand what you're up against. They can walk you through your business insurance policy, help you file a claim, and even put you in contact with resources for cleanup and recovery.
Bring in the Professionals
Cleaning after flooding, fire or weather damage can be a big challenge, especially if your property was directly in a storm's path. With issues ranging from mold and dirty or electrified water to weakened ceilings and floors, it isn't always prudent to handle the cleanup yourself.
When authorities determine it is safe, return to your property to evaluate the situation. Then contact a professional team to manage the repair process. This may mean hiring a contractor or working with restoration and clean-up services. Your course of action will largely depend on how much of your property is salvageable. You may also need to work with a disaster recovery service to help you run your business from a distance while repairs are in progress.
Get in Touch with Available Resources
In times of crises, it's not uncommon for a community to band together to provide for those who lost some or all of their assets. Charities, service organizations and government agencies may be available to help you make the best of a bad situation. While it may feel awkward to take help from others, these resources are intended to support businesses and organizations like yours, so do not be afraid to reach out.
While different disasters will call for different plans, aid options provided for affected businesses can include FEMA and other forms of government disaster assistance, Small Business Administration disaster loans and even IRS-provided tax relief. As soon as you are capable, consider filing for aid with any agencies that can help you get back in business.
Recovering from a natural disaster may not be easy, but with an effective plan in place, you can do everything feasible to preserve your business. With help from Selective and your insurance agent, you can get back on track as quickly as possible. Don't have an agent? Click here to find a local agent to learn more.
From flood damage to hurricane preparedness, Selective Social can help you prepare your business.
But an unforeseen flood, fire or other disaster doesn't have to mean the end of your company. With the right preparation, a disaster recovery plan in place, and a game plan for the immediate aftermath, it's possible to keep your doors open with as little loss as possible.
Re-establish Operations
Whether your work can be handled remotely or not, your first step should be to activate your disaster recovery plan. It's essential for a business to have this plan in place before disaster strikes. Get in touch with executives or your management team, delegate anything feasible, and ensure all employees are safe and accounted for. If necessary, set up a temporary headquarters. Stay in communication to keep employees active and engaged in business activities.
If your premises is closed or operations are interrupted, communicate this as quickly as possible. Send out emails to as many customers as you can, and post messages on social media and your website explaining the extent of your outages.
Call Your Insurance Agent
Insurance is designed to safeguard you against damages. After a disaster is exactly the time to use it. Before you take further steps to remedy any damage, contact your local independent agent. No matter the extent of coverage, your insurance agent can help you best understand what you're up against. They can walk you through your business insurance policy, help you file a claim, and even put you in contact with resources for cleanup and recovery.
Bring in the Professionals
Cleaning after flooding, fire or weather damage can be a big challenge, especially if your property was directly in a storm's path. With issues ranging from mold and dirty or electrified water to weakened ceilings and floors, it isn't always prudent to handle the cleanup yourself.
When authorities determine it is safe, return to your property to evaluate the situation. Then contact a professional team to manage the repair process. This may mean hiring a contractor or working with restoration and clean-up services. Your course of action will largely depend on how much of your property is salvageable. You may also need to work with a disaster recovery service to help you run your business from a distance while repairs are in progress.
Get in Touch with Available Resources
In times of crises, it's not uncommon for a community to band together to provide for those who lost some or all of their assets. Charities, service organizations and government agencies may be available to help you make the best of a bad situation. While it may feel awkward to take help from others, these resources are intended to support businesses and organizations like yours, so do not be afraid to reach out.
While different disasters will call for different plans, aid options provided for affected businesses can include FEMA and other forms of government disaster assistance, Small Business Administration disaster loans and even IRS-provided tax relief. As soon as you are capable, consider filing for aid with any agencies that can help you get back in business.
Recovering from a natural disaster may not be easy, but with an effective plan in place, you can do everything feasible to preserve your business. With help from Selective and your insurance agent, you can get back on track as quickly as possible. Don't have an agent? Click here to find a local agent to learn more.
From flood damage to hurricane preparedness, Selective Social can help you prepare your business.
