Owning a business is already stressful as it is and natural disasters are the last thing an entrepreneur wants to think about. According to the Public Safety Canada, floods are among the most costly and common natural disasters in Canada. Entrepreneurs put passion and countless hours into building their business, so protecting it is just as important.
Here are 4 ways entrepreneurs can protect their business from floodwater damages:
- Flood insurance
A common question business owners have is if their business really needs flood insurance. Some natural disasters like lightning or wind damage are already covered by commercial property insurance. For flooding, a completely separate type of insurance is required.
To decide what type of flood insurance package is needed, it’s best to assess whether or not the businesses is located in a dangerous flood zone. There are many flood maps that provide this information. If the business in located in a high-risk area, it’s best to purchase a package that covers both the building itself and whatever is inside it. Flood contracts can also be very “wordy” and it’s important that the business owner is familiar with its terms so they really know what they are getting. Click here to learn more about flood insurance basics.
- Make a plan
A key step in preparing a business for a flood is creating a solid plan. Many businesses that endure a natural disaster fail to ever reopen because they don’t have a plan. Companies tend to focus on fire evacuation plans and should start to recognize how floods are just as dangerous. A flood plan is pertinent in order to promote the company’s success and safety of its employees.
Resources for preparing a flood plan:
- Rainbow International Restoration – This outlines what the most basic evacuation should include.
- Hub International – Not only does this show what a plan should look like, but also talks about what to do after the disaster.
After coming up with the plan, employees should review it and be trained to follow it. It is also important to keep in mind that every business is different and will have varying needs when it comes to creating a plan. For example, a large office building evacuation plan will look a lot different than a small coffee shop.
- Recover
Once it is safe to return to the site of the business, it is time to assess the damage and figure out what can be saved or restored. Before starting this process, make sure there are no large bodies of stagnant water. Stagnant floodwater can contain harmful bacteria and sharp objects that a person could step on and seriously injure themselves. It’s best to call on a professional water damage repair service to clean the mess.
Follow these three steps to recover a business damaged by flooding:
1.) Assess and document damage to show the insurance company
2.) Find any salvageable equipment and remove it from the water as quickly as possible
3.) Call in professional companies to dry and restore the building
- Look into flood barriers
Preparing before the crisis is the most critical thing to do when it comes to protecting your business from flooding. The cost of flood damage takes a huge economic toll and an even bigger emotional one. Check out this infographic showing just how expensive a single inch of floodwater damage is to an average-sized home. To protect your business, having a plan before disaster strikes is pertinent.
Another way to stay prepared is to look into alternative forms of flood protection like Quik-Response Sandless Sandbag flood barriers or any type of perimeter protection. These are barriers that physically keep the water out of your business. Combined with flood insurance, this is a great way to prepare your business for any type of flood damage.
