Hurricane Season

How Businesses and Individuals Can Prepare and React

According to CoreLogic’s 2023 Hurricane Risk Report, this hurricane season 33 million homes are at moderate or more severe risk of sustaining hurricane-force wind damage, for a combined reconstruction cost value of $11.6 trillion.

When we factor in potential losses businesses sustain, the risk and cost to rebuild is still greater. Here are some tips to help home and business owners prepare and react.

View of a hurricane from space

Before the Storm

Businesses

  • Shut off gas to the building if you know how to do it safely, and make sure outdoor HVAC, turbines and exhaust fans are secured. Contact a professional if assistance is needed.
  • Move items inside (outdoor equipment, materials, furniture) that may blow around during the storm and cause damage.
  • Park your fleet in a garage and take the keys with you to a secure location.
  • Secure openings (doors, windows, garage doors) from flying objects and high winds using shutters or plywood to prevent breach of the building and the creation of pressure differentials that could force the roof off the building.
  • Remove items from the floor in case of flooding.
  • Set up remote cameras and water sensors (if time allows) to monitor your business when you are not there.
  • Back up data off site in case there is damage to computer systems and files.

Individuals

  • Charge your phone and electronic devices.
  • Prepare your emergency plan and emergency kit.
  • Fill your car and generator with gas and keep extra fuel handy in approved containers and in a safe location.
  • Park your car in the garage. 
  • Move items inside (bikes, furniture) as they may blow around during the storm and cause damage.
  • Do not store gas-powered articles inside your home; secure them outside.
  • Cover windows and doors. Use storm shutters or plywood nailed to window frames to protect windows.

During the Storm

Businesses

  • Stay indoors and keep away from windows. Move to an interior room if possible.
  • Listen to weather updates. Have a battery-operated radio handy in the event of a power outage.
  • Wait to go outside until there is confirmation that the storm is no longer a threat to your area.

Individuals

  • Stay indoors and keep away from windows. Move to an interior room if possible.
  • Listen to weather updates. Have a battery-operated radio handy in the event of a power outage.
  • Wait to go outside until there is confirmation that the storm is no longer a threat to your area.
  • Keep your refrigerator doors closed to keep food as cold as possible and prevent thawing in case the power goes out.

After the Storm

Businesses

  • Inspect gas, electrical and water lines for damage. Look for structural damage such as foundation cracks.
  • Document any property damage with photos and videos and save receipts for immediate repairs made to prevent further damage.
  • Stay out of damaged buildings until it is safe to do so.
  • Avoid touching power lines and assume all downed power lines are live.
  • Log all post-event clean-up efforts and expenses.
  • If there is flooding:
    • Clean up pools of water.
    • Dry damp areas to prevent mold and mildew.
    • Move damp items outdoors when safe to prevent mold growth.
    • Move items away from damp areas.
  • Notify your insurance carrier and Keyser immediately if there is damage and protect the property while mitigating any future risk.

Individuals

  • Inspect gas, electrical and water lines for damage. Look for structural damage such as foundation cracks.
  • Document any property damage with photos and videos and save receipts for immediate repairs made to prevent further damage.
  • Stay out of damaged homes and buildings until it is safe to do so.
  • Avoid touching power lines and assume all downed power lines are live.
  • Log all post-event clean-up efforts and expenses.
  • If there is flooding:
    • Clean up pools of water.
    • Dry damp areas to prevent mold and mildew.
    • Move damp items outdoors when safe to prevent mold growth in the home.
    • Move items away from damp areas.
  • Notify your insurance carrier and Keyser immediately if there is damage and protect the property while mitigating any future risk.

Filing a Claim

The easiest way for you to start an insurance claim is by using your insurance carrier’s mobile app or website. If you haven’t already done so, we recommend downloading your insurance carrier’s app or bookmarking its website claims page (linked below) as soon as possible.

Another easy way to start a claim is by calling your insurance carrier. Take a moment to save your carrier’s claims number in your mobile phone’s contacts.

Commercial Insurance

Personal Insurance

And remember, your Keyser team is available to help with insurance emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Call 877-381-3570. Choose menu option 7 when calling outside of normal business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Commercial Insurance clients in Florida also may contact David Viola directly at 407-492-1881 or dviola@keyseragency.com.

[SOURCE: HANOVER]