Recovering as a Business Owner After a Disaster

11/6/2020 (Permalink)

Plan ahead and check your insurance policy coverage.

Recovering as a Business Owner After a Disaster | SERVPRO® of Cedar Mill/Oak Hills

It is so rewarding to build a business and succeed, but if a disaster comes through and causes damage, that is a frustrating incident that is entirely out of your hands. This can devastate businesses that are not prepared, which is why knowing what you would do in this type of situation is so important for the longevity of your business after an emergency.

Safety during a disaster is the most important thing, so we highly recommend starting with a plan that encompasses your evacuation procedure, communicating with employees and keeping your office stocked with emergency supplies. Once you do this, you can move into phase two of the planning, which involves determining how you will be able to quickly recover.

Planning for Post-Disaster Recovery for Your Business

Check your insurance coverage and call your restoration company. No two commercial insurance policies are the same, so it is wise to get in touch with your provider to make sure you have all the information necessary to file a claim if you are able to. Next, contact your commercial restoration company to get that process started. In many cases, they will be able to talk with your insurance company directly to keep things simple for you.

Get in touch with your customers quickly. Your customers will want to hear from you after a disaster, so sending out messages quickly is a great way to keep them in the loop on your timeline and how they will be able to support you through this time. It might be worth considering doing a special promotion with gift cards or other long-lasting items that they can purchase and use at a later date to assist you throughout the rebuilding process.

Make sure you are aware of the assistance offerings. There are many disaster assistance programs available to business owners, such as the Small Business Administration’s loan program, which can be used for restoration, disaster-related costs and even income due to losses from the damage. These loans are typically designed to be easy to qualify for and to repay to help business owners rebuild.

If your business has been damaged due to a disaster, we’re here to help. Contact us at any hour to report your damage or to learn more about our commercial restoration services.