The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Most of the damage a small business suffers is not the storm itself but the days after: lost documents, missed deadlines, unreachable customers and claims that stall for lack of proof.
Before the season
- Back up records off site. Contracts, insurance policies, licenses, tax records and client files, in cloud storage you can reach from a phone.
- Photograph what you own. Equipment, vehicles, inventory and the property itself, dated, before anything happens.
- Read your policies. Know your hurricane or windstorm deductible, whether you have flood coverage, and whether business interruption is included. Flood policies often have a waiting period before they take effect.
- Write a contact sheet. Clients, carriers, brokers, insurers, your bank and your CPA, printed and saved to your phone.
When a storm is coming
- Tell clients and brokers in writing how you will operate and how to reach you.
- Move trucks and trailers away from flood-prone lots, and log where each one is parked.
- Secure vacant properties and photograph them right before you leave.
- Check upcoming deadlines. Filing and court deadlines are sometimes extended after a declared emergency, but only when an official order says so.
After the storm
- Photograph damage before cleanup begins, with dates.
- Report claims promptly and keep a log of every call, adjuster visit and receipt.
- Be careful with unsolicited contractors. Verify licenses before signing anything.
- Keep receipts for emergency repairs, lodging and fuel; they may be part of a claim or a deduction.
Carriers on the road
Loads into and out of a storm area move fast and change faster. Confirm appointments in writing, watch for road closures and fuel shortages, and never let the rate decide whether a driver goes somewhere unsafe.
Our storm prep checklist walks through each step and saves your progress.
General information, not insurance or legal advice. Your policy and your agent decide what is covered.
This article is general information, not legal, tax or regulatory advice. Rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible agency or a licensed professional.
