5 Tips to Prepare Your Small Business Before a Storm
Being prepared is your best defense
When nature gets a bit wild, small businesses can feel the impact, from building damage to halts in operations. By planning ahead and taking smart steps, you can help protect your business from the storm's impact.
Check out these five strategies to help strengthen your business before bad weather hits:
Safeguard Your Business Premises
Reinforce your premises by installing storm shutters or protecting windows. Elevate valuable equipment, inventory, and documents to higher ground to prevent water damage. Consider surge protectors to shield electronics from power spikes during the storm.
Review Your Insurance Coverage
Review your business insurance to confirm your coverage for storm-induced damage. Meet with your local independent insurance agent to go over what coverage you have against flooding, wind damage, and business interruptions. Keep a digital copy of your policy and contact details of your agent and Indiana Farmers Insurance at your fingertips.
Assemble an Emergency Kit and Action Plan
Equip an emergency kit with essentials such as flashlights, batteries, water, first aid supplies, and a battery-powered radio. Develop a business continuity plan detailing swift reopening steps, including alternative work locations, remote work setups, and temporary suppliers.
Protect Your Data
Ensure your vital business data remains protected by securing backups in a reliable cloud service or in an offsite location. This guarantees uninterrupted access to essential documents, customer records, and financial information, even if your physical systems take a hit.
Prepare a Communication Plan
Design a communication strategy for your team, clients, and partners. Share emergency contacts, appoint key communicators, and keep everyone informed via email, social media, or text messages. Proactively inform customers about any potential closures or delays.
Being prepared is your best defense. By securing your assets, safeguarding your data, and planning ahead, you can minimize risks and accelerate your business's recovery post-storm.
After a storm hits, if you need to file a claim, Indiana Farmers Insurance and your local independent insurance agent are here for you. To get your claim started, log in to your indianafarmers.com account, visit our Claim Center, or contact your agent.
The information presented in this document is for informational and educational purposes only. It is intended to assist individuals, farmers, and business owners in identifying common hazards/risks and considering proactive loss prevention or loss mitigation actions. For information related to specific loss hazards, please contact your insurance agent.
