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Five Things All Small Businesses Should Do to Prepare for Hurricane Season

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  Published in Business and Finance on Thursday, June 3rd 2010 at 12:25 GMT by Market Wire
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HARTFORD, Conn.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--With this yeara™s hurricane season upon us, Travelers (NYSE: [ TRV ]) reminds small business owners of the importance of being prepared for hurricanes. June marks the beginning of hurricane season and Travelers has developed a list of the top five things that small business owners can do to make sure their businesses are properly protected should a storm hit.

"Businesses without proper insurance coverage and those that dona™t plan ahead to mitigate risk are at great risk of not recovering following a hurricane or other natural disaster"

1.Create a Business Continuity Plan and Establish an aEmergency Filea

Business owners should review their Business Continuity Plans and communicate emergency evacuation and business interruption instructions to their employees at the start of the hurricane season. If a Business Continuity Plan is not currently in place, now is the time to speak with an independent insurance agent to help develop one. Owners should also create and properly store an aemergency file,a which would contain all vital business-related documents such as insurance forms, customer records and supplier lists that might be needed at a momenta™s notice to keep a business running. To learn more about Disaster Planning for Small Businesses, watch this free [ webinar ] replay provided by [ Travelers Risk Control ].

2.Back Up Your Business

According to a survey by the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), 21 percent of small businesses struck by disaster were forced to temporarily close operations because of power loss. In order to ensure that the bottom line isna™t affected by loss of electricity, business owners should keep a backup generator and plenty of batteries on hand so that business operations can continue.

3.Protect Your Windows and Doors

One of the easiest ways business owners can protect their operations from damage is by securing all windows and doors, even those not facing the ocean or gulf. Check for leaks and termite damage before a storm is in the forecast and have repairs made as necessary. All outside doors should be fitted with a dead-bolt lock and three hinges. If a business is located directly on the beach or gulf, storm shutters are also strongly recommended.

4.Trim Your Business Risk

More than 60 percent of the United States is vulnerable to damage from high-wind events such as hurricanes, according to the Institute for Business & Home Safety. Yet, it isna™t always the wind that damages roofs and breaks windows; it can also be caused by landscaping and shrubbery. Trees and shrubs should be trimmed so that branches are at least seven feet away from any exterior building surface. Owners should also remove any bricks or loose debris from their buildings before a storm hits to avoid having them become dangerous projectiles in the wind.

5.Review Your Policies

Ita™s no secret that business owners are strapped for time. As a result, [ Business Ownera™s Policies (BOP) ] are often not reviewed more than once a year. Travelers recommends reviewing BOPs at the start of every hurricane season to ensure a business is properly covered for potential hurricane losses like wind, flood and interruption issues. Owners should consult their insurance agents about any necessary add-on policies, as flood is not part of a standard BOP.

aBusinesses without proper insurance coverage and those that dona™t plan ahead to mitigate risk are at great risk of not recovering following a hurricane or other natural disaster,a said John P. Oa™Connor, Vice President of Product and Underwriting, Travelers Select Accounts.

For information about hurricane preparedness or small business insurance, visit the [ Emergency Preparedness ] section of the Travelers Risk Control website or contact an [ independent insurance agent ].

About Travelers

The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: [ TRV ]) is a leading property casualty insurer selling primarily through independent agents and brokers. The companya™s diverse business lines offer its global customers a wide range of coverage in the [ auto ], [ home ] and [ business ] settings. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Travelers has more than 30,000 employees and generated revenues of approximately $25 billion in 2009. For more information, visit [ www.travelers.com ].