Flood guidance for small businesses

Contents

  1. Intro
  2. Prevention
  3. Review your insurance
  4. What to do in a flood
  5. What to do after a flood

What to do in a flood:

In any emergency, your number one priority is the health and safety of you and your employees. Once everyone’s safe, you should make sure your premises are as secure as possible to deter looters. Lock up properly and take away as many valuable items as you can (although you should check with your insurer whether they’re covered once they’re away from your property). This is where your flood plan really comes into its own, as a little bit of planning can really help you avoid financial loss caused by damage to stock or computers. Once you know a flood is coming, get staff to move important items to upper floors, or place them on tables to keep them out of reach of flood waters. Move vital documents to a safe place and make sure any computer data is backed up. Photograph the damage to assist any claim you make.

Ensure all power and gas supplies are turned off. Remember that flood waters may be contaminated by petrol or chemicals, so avoid contact with them and don’t use naked flames.

You’ll want to get your business up and running again as soon as possible, so keep your employees in the loop and take time to call important customers. A good way to do this is to update your website with progress reports. Keep the news upbeat, but be realistic - don’t say it’s business as usual if this is not the case.

While business interruption insurance is a good way to cover any shortfall in your profits should you suffer a great deal of water damage, it’s also a great idea to have a continuity plan in place. Business Continuity Management is an approach to controlling risk, and a great way to help recover after any serious incident. Not sure how to go about it? Download a free expert guide from MORE TH>N Business.

Business insurance is issued by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (Reg No. 202323). All offers subject to availability. For your protection, telephone calls may be recorded or monitored. Discounts based on prices available for like-for-like RSA policies. Apart from Van where following our May 2008 rate review over 10% of customers could pay at least 25% less. Half price breakdown is available to customers buying a Van or Business Car policy starting on or before 31st December 2008. Standalone breakdown is not available.