“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
“Be prepared.”
That’s sage advice from the inventor of the lightning rod, and the motto of Scouting America, the largest youth organization in the U.S. Solid instruction for the everyday, this guidance seems especially pertinent as storm season approaches and commercial property owners contemplate hunkering down in the face of severe weather and natural disasters.
Catastrophic weather is not only a physical threat to commercial property owners; it can jeopardize operations, displace tenants, and strike a business where it hurts most — the bottom line. If storm preparation has been on your back burner, turn that around with these actionable steps to help prevent costly setbacks later.
Storm Season Prep for Commercial Properties
1. Review your coverage, making sure you have what you need. Consider whether you need specialized insurance for risks not normally covered by a standard policy, such as flooding or earthquakes. Also, be aware of small sublimits (the maximum amount a policy covers for a specific type of loss — e.g., computer equipment) contained within your policy’s overall limit.
• Storms and natural disasters (e.g., hail, hurricanes, tornadoes)
• Fires, flooding, and earthquakes
• Business interruption
• Loss of rental income
2. Verify that your property has been assessed accurately and the value shown on your policy reflects adequate coverage in the event of total loss and the need to replace assets.
3. Document your property and assets as a safeguard to prove loss and speed claim processing.
• Take photos and videos of your property’s exterior and interior, including signage, HVAC units, equipment, inventory, and interior fixtures (e.g., lighting, plumbing, shelving).
• Keep digital backup of lease agreements (if applicable) and financial records.
4. Inspect your roof, windows, and drainage systems.
• If you haven’t already, establish a roof maintenance program with regular inspections. Commercial roofs often succumb to aging, wear and tear, ponding water, and flashing failures. A routine maintenance program helps ensure your roof’s integrity and ability to withstand harsh weather.
• Inspect door and window frames and seals for gaps, cracks, and dry rot and apply caulk and weatherstripping if needed to block water intrusion.
• Clear drainage systems, such as gutters and roof scupper drains, to minimize water intrusion.
5. Secure outdoor items.
Store or anchor outdoor furniture, equipment, HVAC units, loose signs, dumpsters, and other items that could turn into flying debris and cause major property damage or liability issues in the event of high winds.
6. Trim or remove trees accordingly.
In severe weather, tree branches can become freewheeling missiles that damage siding and shingles. Prune trees and remove any unstable or critically ill ones before storm season to prevent damage or a fall on your roof or nearby vehicles.
7. Invest in a large generator to power your building during an outage.
8. Keep a storm emergency kit on site.
Kits can be purchased easily online, or you can make your own. If you choose to do the latter, consider including these items: a hand-crank weather radio, sources of light (e.g., flashlights, candles, glow sticks, emergency flares), batteries, matches, water, nonperishable food, utensils, medicine and first aid items, sanitary supplies, a whistle, reflective vests, N95 masks, and rain ponchos.
9. Consult a professional as needed.
If reviewing paperwork seems overwhelming, consider contacting a public adjuster to help identify policy risks before it’s too late.
Storms don’t wait — and neither should you. Procrastination can cost you dearly, and as a commercial property owner, every hour of downtime means lost revenue and mounting stress. Now is the time to safeguard your property, review your insurance policies, and prepare a claims strategy before the skies turn dark.
At D.A. Lamont Public Adjusters, we’re proficient at reviewing insurance policies to ensure commercial property owners have the right coverage before filing a claim. We offer free policy reviews to help you be ready for when it counts the most. Contact us today to leverage this worthwhile service!