Hurricane preparedness white paper

Hurricane Preparedness

Included are a series of resources for you to use to ensure you, your
family and your business are safe in the event of a hurricane.

For more information visit us online at www.mcrainsurance.com.

Maran Corporate Risk Associates, Inc.
Phone: 631-283-8000 Email: info@mcrainsurance.com
www.mcrainsurance.com

Table of Contents
Click on the text below to link to the page you would like to view

Are You Prepared? Safety tips on what to do before,
during and after a storm.

Hurricane Preparedness for You and Your Family:
Disaster Supply Kits/Family Disaster Plan Checklist

Business Contingency Planning Addressing Hazards

Can Your Business Survive a Hurricane? Do you have a
plan and adequate insurance coverage?

Are you covered in case of Business Interruption?

Playing it Safe: Tips for your Employees on safe working
conditions to decrease injury in the event of a hurricane.

Emergency Hurricane Preparedness Checklist for Business
Owners and Operators


Are You Prepared?

Safety Tips: What to do before, during and after a storm.

Here you will have access to information on Hurricane Hazards and
creating your own Family Disaster Plan and a Disaster Supply Kit. Get tips,
checklist and more in this packet of information.


Safety and health tips for your work, home and life—
brought to you by the insurance and safety specialists at
Maran Corporate Risk Associates.

Preparing for a Hurricane
What to do before, during and after a storm
Hurricane season lasts from June • Store valuable papers and the area is re-opened.
through November, when storms items in waterproof bags. • When inspecting your home,
• Cover windows and secure wear sturdy shoes and
with heavy rains and catastrophic clothing for protection. People
any outdoor items.
winds can severely damage or are often hurt after a
• If you live in a trailer home
hurricane, rather than during
destroy homes in low-lying and/or are told to evacuate,
it.
do so immediately.
coastal areas. • Allow only those trained to
turn off damaged utilities and
During Hurricane Season: During a Hurricane: appliances.
• Plan evacuation routes and • Tune into a battery-operated • Use only bottled water until
designate a “post-disaster radio or TV and follow local tap water is determined safe,
contact” that family members authorities’ instructions. and do not eat foods stored in
know to call after a hurricane. • Seek shelter in an interior the refrigerator if the power
• Stock up on items such as a room away from windows, was out.
week’s supply of bottled such as a closet. Don’t • Use the phone for
water and canned goods, assume the hurricane is over emergencies only.
along with a manual when the wind subsides. The
can/bottle opener, flashlight, calm may be the eye of the
battery-operated radio or storm, and the worst part
television, nails, tarps and may still be on the way.
plywood. • If the electricity goes out, use
• Keep an up-to-date log a flashlight only (not
(including photos/videotape) candles).
of your possessions; review
insurance policy coverage After a Hurricane:
annually.
• Stay inside until an “all-clear”
• Keep trees and shrubs is issued. If you have
trimmed to minimize potential evacuated, don’t return until
damage.

When a Hurricane Threatens:
• Refill prescriptions, fill up
Simplifying the claims process...
your car’s gas tank, and [1] Contact your agent promptly to report damages. Be patient, as delays
withdraw a week’s worth of are likely. [2] Do not alter the damaged property unless attempting to
cash, as power outages may prevent further damage. [3] Keep receipts for ALL costs incurred,
temporarily interrupt services. including temporary housing expenses.

This flyer is for informational purposes only.

Photography © 2000-2004 Getty Images, Inc. All rights reserved.

Hurricane Preparedness
For You and Your Family

Steps to take to protect your home and your family. A guide to creating a
family disaster plan and a disaster supply kit. Make sure you’re prepared!


Take Action

All of the UNDERLINED items below are links to more information. Just
click on the link to read more.

Are You Prepared?

Being prepared for a hurricane is one of the most important steps you
can take to ensure the safety of your loved ones.

If you are hurricane aware you will be able to answer these three
questions:

1. What are the Hurricane Hazards?
a. Storm Surge, Marine Hazards, Tornadoes, High Winds, and
Inland Flooding
2. What does this mean to you?
a. Do you live in a Surge Zone? One a Barrier Island? In an area
prone to flooding? In a strong and sturdy home?
3. What actions should you take to be prepared?
a. Family Disaster Plan, Disaster Supply Kit, Have a place to go,
and Stay Aware

3 Steps Everyone Should Take Before Hurricane Season Starts

Step One: Before

Before Hurricane Season Starts You Should

Assemble your Disaster Supply Kit: These items are often scattered
around your home and simply need to be brought together into one
location.

Write out your Family Disaster Plan. Discuss the possible hazards with
your family. Determine if you are in an evacuation area. Identify an out-
of-town family contact.

Step Two: Watch
When a Hurricane Watch is issued you should:
Check your Disaster Supply Kit. Make sure nothing is missing.
Determine if there is anything you need to supplement your kit.
Replenish your water

Activate your Family Disaster Plan. Protective measures should be
initiated, especially those actions that require extra time (for example,
securing a boat or leaving a barrier island).

Step 3: Warning
When a Hurricane Warning is issued you should:
Ready your Disaster Supply Kit for use. If you need to evacuate, you
should bring your Supply Kit with you.

Use your Family Disaster Plan. Your family should be in the process of
completing protective actions and deciding the safest location to be
during the storm.

Here is a checklist for you to use to create a Disaster Supply Kit:

 Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
 Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days — non-perishable packaged
or canned food / juices — foods for infants or the elderly — snack
foods — non-electric can opener — cooking tools / fuel — paper
plates / plastic utensils
 Blankets / Pillows, etc.
 Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes
 First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs
 Special Items - for babies and the elderly
 Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes
 Flashlight / Batteries
 Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
 Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a
traditional (not cordless) telephone set
 Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs
may not be available for extended periods
 Keys
 Toys, Books and Games
 Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight
resealable plastic bag — insurance, medical records, bank account
numbers, Social Security card, etc.
 Tools - keep a set with you during the storm
 Vehicle fuel tanks filled
 Pet care items — proper identification / immunization records /
medications — ample supply of food and water — a carrier or
cage — muzzle and leash

Here are some guidelines for creating a Family Disaster Plan.

 Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. Know
your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.
 Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each
hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances the safest areas may
not be your home but within your community.
 Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet.
These should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of
miles.
 Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your
family members have a single point of contact.
 Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to
evacuate.
 Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make
sure your children know how and when to call 911.
 Check your insurance coverage - flood damage is not usually
covered by homeowners insurance.
 Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply
Kit.
 Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every
6 months, as you do with your smoke detectors.
 Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.

Business Contingency Planning
Addressing Hazards

When developing your Business Contingency Plan, you will need to
identify and plan for any unique hazards to your business and
incorporate them into the Plan. To assist you in establishing procedures
for hazards, utilize this reference to determine specific considerations for
tornado, fire, earthquake, hurricane, hazardous material, flood, and
severe winter storm hazards.


BUSINESS CONTINGENCY PLANNING: ADDRESSING HAZARDS
When developing your Business Contingency Plan, you will need to identify and plan for
any unique hazards to your business and incorporate them into the Plan. To assist you in
establishing procedures for hazards, utilize this reference to determine specific
considerations for tornado, fire, earthquake, hurricane, hazardous material, flood, and
severe winter storm hazards.

TORNADO HAZARDS
A tornado is an incredibly violent local storm that extends to the ground with whirling winds
that can reach 300 mph. Spawned from powerful thunderstorms, tornadoes can uproot
trees and buildings and turn harmless objects into deadly missiles in a matter of seconds.
Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. Tornadoes can occur in
any state but occur more frequently in the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest. They occur
with little or no warning.

Planning considerations for tornadoes:

□ Ask your local emergency management office about the community's
tornado warning system.

□ Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio with a warning alarm tone and battery
backup. Listen for tornado watches and warnings:
- A Tornado Watch means tornadoes are likely. Be ready to take shelter.
Stay tuned to radio and television stations for additional information.
- A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been sighted in the area or is
indicated by radar. Take shelter immediately.

□ Establish procedures to inform personnel when tornado warnings are
posted. Consider the need for spotters to be responsible for looking out for
approaching storms.

□ Work with a structural engineer or architect to designate shelter areas in
your facility. Ask your local emergency management office or National
Weather Service office for guidance.

□ The best protection in a tornado is usually an underground area. If an
underground area is not available, consider:
1. Small interior rooms on the lowest floor and without windows
2. Hallways on the lowest floor away from doors and windows
3. Rooms constructed with reinforced concrete, brick or block with no
windows and a heavy concrete floor or roof system overhead
4. Protected areas away from doors and windows

Note: Auditoriums, cafeterias and gymnasiums that are covered with a flat,
wide-span roof are not considered safe.

□ Make plans for evacuating personnel away from lightweight modular offices
or mobile home-size buildings. These structures offer no protection from
tornadoes.

□ Conduct scheduled tornado drills to test your plan.

Source: FEMA. This flyer is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional advice.

FIRE HAZARDS
Fire is the most common of all the hazards. Every year fires cause thousands of deaths and
injuries and billions of dollars in property damage.

Planning considerations for fire hazards:

□ Meet with the fire department to talk about the community's fire response capabilities.
Talk about your operations. Identify processes and materials that could cause or fuel a
fire, or contaminate the environment in a fire.

□ Have your facility inspected for fire hazards. Ask about fire codes and regulations.

□ Ask your insurance carrier to recommend fire prevention and protection measures. Your
carrier may also offer training.

□ Distribute fire safety information to employees: how to prevent fires in the workplace,
how to contain a fire, how to evacuate the facility, where to report a fire.

□ Evaluate employee access to and availability of healthcare services during a pandemic,
and improve services as needed.

Instruct personnel to use the stairs -- not elevators -- in a fire. Instruct them to crawl
□ on their hands and knees when escaping a hot or smoke-filled area.

EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
Earthquakes occur most frequently west of the Rocky Mountains, although historically the
most violent earthquakes have occurred in the central United States. Earthquakes occur
suddenly and without warning. Earthquakes can seriously damage buildings and their
contents; disrupt gas, electric and telephone services; and trigger landslides, avalanches,
flash floods, fires and huge ocean waves called tsunamis. Aftershocks can occur for weeks
following an earthquake. In many buildings, the greatest danger to people in an earthquake
is when equipment and non-structural elements such as ceilings, partitions, windows and
lighting fixtures shake loose.

Planning considerations for earthquakes:

□ Assess your facility's vulnerability to earthquakes. Ask local government agencies for
seismic information for your area.

□ Have your facility inspected by a structural engineer. Develop and prioritize strengthening
measures. These may include:

(1) Adding steel bracing to frames
(2) Adding sheer walls to frames
(3) Strengthening columns and building foundations
(4) Replacing unreinforced brick filler walls

□ Follow safety codes when constructing a facility or making major renovations.

□ Inspect non-structural systems such as air conditioning, communications and pollution
control systems. Assess the potential for damage. Prioritize measures to prevent damages.

□ Inspect your facility for any item that could fall, spill, break or move during an earthquake.
Take steps to reduce these hazards.

□ Move large and heavy objects to lower shelves or the floor. Hang heavy items away from
where people work.

□ Secure shelves, filing cabinets, tall furniture, desktop equipment, computers, printers,
copiers and light fixtures.

□ Secure fixed equipment and heavy machinery to the floor. Larger equipment can be placed
on casters and attached to tethers which attach to the wall.

□ Add bracing to suspended ceilings, if necessary.

□ Install safety glass where appropriate.

□ Secure large utility and process piping.

□ Keep copies of design drawings of the facility to be used in assessing the facility's safety
after an earthquake.

□ Review processes for handling and storing hazardous materials. Have incompatible
chemicals stored separately.

□ Ask your insurance carrier about earthquake insurance and mitigation techniques.

□ Establish procedures to determine whether an evacuation is necessary after an earthquake.

□ Designate areas in the facility away from exterior walls and windows where occupants
should gather after an earthquake if an evacuation is not necessary.

□ Conduct earthquake drills. Provide personnel with the following safety information:

- In an earthquake, if indoors, stay there. Take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture
or counter, or brace yourself against an inside wall. Protect your head and neck.
- If outdoors, move into the open, away from buildings, street lights and utility wires.
- Use stairways to leave the building if it is determined that a building evacuation is
necessary.
- After an earthquake, stay away from windows, skylights and items that could fall. Do
not use the elevators.

HURRICANE HAZARDS
Hurricanes are severe tropical storms with sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or greater.
Hurricane winds can reach 160 miles per hour and extend inland for hundreds of miles.
Hurricanes bring torrential rains and a storm surge of ocean water that crashes into land as
the storm approaches. Hurricanes also spawn tornadoes. Hurricane advisories are issued by
the National Weather Service as soon as a hurricane appears to be a threat. The hurricane
season lasts from June through November.

Planning considerations for hurricanes:

□
Ask your local emergency management office about community
evacuation plans.

□
Establish facility shutdown procedures. Establish warning and evacuation
procedures. Make plans for assisting employees who may need
transportation.

□ Make plans for communicating with employees' families before and after a
hurricane.

□ Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio with a warning alarm tone and battery
backup.

□ Listen for hurricane watches and warnings:
Hurricane Watch -- A hurricane is possible within 24 to 36 hours. Stay
tuned for additional advisories. Tune to local radio and television stations
for additional information. An evacuation may be necessary.

Hurricane Warning -- A hurricane will hit land within 24 hours. Take
precautions at once. If advised, evacuate immediately.

□ Survey your facility. Make plans to protect outside equipment and
structures

□ Make plans to protect windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best
protection.

□ Covering windows with 5/8' marine plywood is a second option.

□ Consider the need for backup systems:
- Portable pumps to remove flood water
- Alternate power sources such as generators or gasoline-powered
pumps
- Battery-powered emergency lighting
- Prepare to move records, computers and other items within your
facility or to another location.

FLOOD/FLASH FLOOD HAZARDS
Floods are the most common and widespread of all natural disasters. Most communities in
the United States can experience some degree of flooding after spring rains, heavy
thunderstorms or winter snow thaws. Most floods develop slowly over a period of days.
Flash floods, however, are like walls of water that develop in a matter of minutes. Flash
floods can be caused by intense storms or dam failure.

Planning considerations for floods/flash floods:

□
Ask your local emergency management office whether your facility is located in a flood plain.
Learn the history of flooding in your area. Learn the elevation of your facility in relation to
streams, rivers and dams.

□ Review the community's emergency plan. Learn the community's evacuation routes. Know
where to find higher ground in case of a flood.

□ Establish warning and evacuation procedures for the facility. Make plans for assisting
employees who may need transportation.

□ Inspect areas in your facility subject to flooding. Identify records and equipment that can be
moved to a higher location. Make plans to move records and equipment in case of flood.

□ Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio with a warning alarm tone and battery backup.

□ Listen for flood watches and warnings.

Flood Watch -- Flooding is possible. Stay tuned to NOAA radio. Be prepared to evacuate. Tune
to local radio and television stations for additional information.
Flood Warning -- Flooding is already occurring or will occur soon. Take precautions at once. Be
prepared to go to higher ground. If advised, evacuate immediately.

□ Ask MCRA for information about flood insurance. Regular property and casualty
insurance does not cover flooding.

□ Consider the feasibility of floodproofing your facility. There are three basic methods.

1. Permanent floodproofing measures are taken before a flood occurs and require no human
intervention when flood waters rise. They include:
- Filling windows, doors or other openings with water-resistant materials such as
concrete blocks or bricks. This approach assumes the structure is strong enough to
withstand flood waters.
- Installing check valves to prevent water from entering where utility and sewer lines
enter the facility.
- Reinforcing walls to resist water pressure. Sealing walls to prevent or reduce
seepage.
- Building watertight walls around equipment or work areas within the facility that are
particularly susceptible to flood damage.
- Constructing floodwalls or levees outside the facility to keep flood waters away.
- Elevating the facility on walls, columns or compacted fill. This approach is most
applicable to new construction, though many types of buildings can be elevated.

2. Contingent floodproofing measures are also taken before a flood but require some
additional action when flooding occurs. These measures include:

- Installing watertight barriers called flood shields to prevent the passage of water
through doors, windows, ventilation shafts or other openings
- Installing permanent watertight doors
- Constructing movable floodwalls
- Installing permanent pumps to remove flood waters

3. Emergency floodproofing measures are generally less expensive than those listed above,
though they require substantial advance warning and do not satisfy the minimum
requirements for watertight floodproofing as set forth by the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP). They include:

- Building walls with sandbags
- Constructing a double row of walls with boards and posts to create a "crib," then
filling the crib with soil
- Constructing a single wall by stacking small beams or planks on top of each other
- Participate in community flood control projects.
- Consider the need for backup systems:
(1) Portable pumps to remove flood water
(2) Alternate power sources such as generators or gasoline- powered pumps
(3) Battery-powered emergency lighting

SEVERE WINTER STORM HAZARDS
Severe winter storms bring heavy snow, ice, strong winds and freezing rain. Winter storms
can prevent employees and customers from reaching the facility, leading to a temporary
shutdown until roads are cleared. Heavy snow and ice can also cause structural damage and
power outages.

Planning considerations for severe winter storms:

□ Listen to NOAA Weather Radio and local radio and television stations for weather information:

Winter Storm Watch -- Severe winter weather is possible.

Winter Storm Warning -- Severe winter weather is expected.

Blizzard Warning -- Severe winter weather with sustained winds of at least 35 mph is
expected.

Traveler's Advisory -- Severe winter conditions may make driving difficult or dangerous.

□
Collaborate with federal, state, and local public health agencies and/or emergency responders
to establish procedures for facility shutdown and early release of employees.

□
Store food, water, blankets, battery-powered radios with extra batteries and other emergency
supplies for employees who become stranded at the facility.

□ Provide a backup power source for critical operations.

□ Arrange for snow and ice removal from parking lots, walkways, loading docks, etc.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS HAZARDS
Hazardous materials are substances that are flammable or combustible, explosive, toxic,
noxious, corrosive, oxidizable, an irritant or radioactive. A hazardous material spill or
release can pose a risk to life, health or property. An incident can result in the evacuation of
a few people, a section of a facility or an entire neighborhood.

There are a number of Federal laws that regulate hazardous materials, including: the
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA), the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act
(HMTA), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), the Toxic Substances Control Act
(TSCA) and the Clean Air Act.

Title III of SARA regulates the packaging, labeling, handling, storage and transportation of
hazardous materials. The law requires facilities to furnish information about the quantities
and health effects of materials used at the facility, and to promptly notify local and State
officials whenever a significant release of hazardous materials occurs.

In addition to on-site hazards, you should be aware of the potential for an off-site incident
affecting your operations. You should also be aware of hazardous materials used in facility
processes and in the construction of the physical plant. Detailed definitions as well as lists
of hazardous materials can be obtained from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Planning considerations for hazardous material hazards:

□ Identify and label all hazardous materials stored, handled, produced and disposed of
by your facility. Follow government regulations that apply to your facility. Obtain
material safety data sheets (MSDS) for all hazardous materials at your location.

□ Ask the local fire department for assistance in developing appropriate response procedures.

□ Train employees to recognize and report hazardous material spills and releases. Train
employees in proper handling and storage.

□ Establish a hazardous material response plan:

(1) Establish procedures to notify management and emergency response organizations of an
incident.
(2) Establish procedures to warn employees of an incident.
(3) Establish evacuation procedures.

□ Depending on your operations, organize and train an emergency response team to confine
and control hazardous material spills in accordance with applicable regulations.

□
Identify other facilities in your area that use hazardous materials. Determine whether an
incident could affect your facility.

□ Identify highways, railroads and waterways near your facility used for the transportation of
hazardous materials. Determine how a transportation accident near your facility could affect
your operations.

TECHNICAL EMERGENCY HAZARDS
Technological emergencies include any interruption or loss of a utility service, power source,
life support system, information system or equipment needed to keep the business in
operation.

Planning considerations for technical emergencies:

□ Identify all critical operations, including:

- Utilities including electric power, gas, water, hydraulics, compressed air, municipal and
internal sewer systems, wastewater treatment services
- Security and alarm systems, elevators, lighting, life support systems, heating, ventilation
and air conditioning systems, electrical distribution system.
- Manufacturing equipment, pollution control equipment
- Communication systems, both data and voice computer networks
- Transportation systems including air, highway, railroad and waterway

□ Determine the impact of service disruption.

□
Ensure that key safety and maintenance personnel are thoroughly familiar with all building
systems.

□
Establish preventive maintenance schedules for all systems and equipment.
Updated: (effective date)

□ Establish procedures for restoring systems. Determine need for backup systems.

Can Your Business Survive a
Hurricane?
Advance Planning and Proper Insurance
Essential to Recovery

A disaster plan and adequate insurance are keys to recovery.


May 2010 Risk Insights
Can Your Business Survive a Hurricane? Advance Planning and
Proper Insurance Essential to Recovery

Of all businesses that close down following a disaster, more than 25
percent never open their doors again. While there’s no way to lower the
risk of a natural disaster from hurricanes, there are critical measures
that can be taken to protect your company’s bottom line from nature’s
fury. A disaster plan and adequate insurance are keys to recovery.

Develop a Disaster Recovery Plan
No matter how small or large a business, a business impact analysis should
be developed to identify what an operation must do to protect itself in the
face of a natural disaster. Large corporations often hire risk managers to
handle this task and some companies hire consultants with expertise in
disaster planning and recovery to assist them with their plans. But small
businesses can do the analysis and planning on their own.

Your business plan should consider the following:
• Set up an emergency response plan and • Protect employees and customers
train employees how to carry it out. from injury on the premises. Consider
Make sure employees know whom to the possible impact a disaster will
notify about the disaster and what have on your employees’ ability to
measures to take to preserve life and return to work and how customers
limit property losses. can return to your shop or receive
goods or services.
• Write out each step of the plan and
assign responsibilities to employees in • Compile a list of important phone
clear and simple language. Practice the numbers and addresses. Make sure
procedures set out in the emergency you can get in touch with key people
response plan with regular, scheduled after the disaster. The list should
drills. include local and state emergency
management agencies, major clients,
• Consider the things you may need contractors, suppliers, realtors,
initially during the emergency. Do you financial institutions, insurance agents
need a back-up source of power? Do and insurance company claim
you have a back-up communications representatives.
Maran Corporate Risk system?
Associates, Inc. • Keep duplicate records. Back-up
• Decide on a communications strategy to computerized data files regularly and
prevent loss of customers. Post notices store them off-premises. Keep copies
outside your premises; contact clients of important records and documents
by phone, e-mail or regular mail; place in a safe deposit box and make sure
a notice in local newspapers. they’re up to date.

Review your insurance plan
• Even if your business escapes a disaster, there is Make sure you have sufficient coverage to pay for the
still a risk that the business could suffer significant indirect costs of the disaster – the disruption to your
losses due to the inability of suppliers to deliver business – as well as the cost of repair or rebuilding.
goods or services or a reduction in customers. Most policies do not cover flood or earthquake damage
Businesses should communicate with their
and you may need to buy separate insurance for these
suppliers and markets (especially if they are
perils. Be sure you understand your policy deductibles
selling to a business as a supplier) about their
and limits.
disaster preparedness and recovery plans, so that
everyone is prepared.
For a business, the costs of a disaster can extend
• Protect your building. If you own the structure that beyond the physical damage to the premises,
houses your business, integrate disaster protection equipment, furniture and other business property.
for the building as well as the contents into your There’s the potential loss of income while the premises
plan. Consider the financial impact if your business are unusable. Your disaster recovery should include a
shuts down as a result of a disaster. What would detailed review of your insurance policies to ensure there
be the impact for a day, a week or an entire are no gaps in coverage. This includes property
revenue period? insurance, business interruption insurance and extra
expense insurance. Even if your basic policy covers
• Identify critical business activities and the
expenses and loss of net business income, it may not
resources needed to support them. If you cannot
cover income interruptions due to damage that occurs
afford to shut down your operations, even
away from your premises, such as to your key customer
temporarily, determine what you require to run the
or supplier or to your utility company. You can generally
business at another location.
buy this additional coverage and add it to your existing
• Find alternative facilities, equipment and supplies, policy.
and locate qualified contractors. Consider a
reciprocity agreement with another business. Try Most business owners are complacent about natural
to get an advance commitment from at least one disasters until it happens to them. It’s only when the
contractor to respond to your needs. owner has gone through a disaster that a disaster plan,
including purchasing the proper insurance, is usually
• Protect computer systems and data. Data storage considered.
firms offer offsite backups of computer data that
can be updated regularly via high-speed modem or
Don’t let a lack of insurance coverage or poor planning
through the Internet.
destroy your business. Contact MCRA to learn
more about disaster planning and to determine your best
insurance coverage needs.

This Maran Corporate Risk Associates, Inc. Risk Insights is not intended to be
Source: Insurance Information Institute. Reprinted with
exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal
permission. advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for
appropriate advice.

Are You Covered in Case of Business
Interruption?

Make sure you are covered if a hurricane or other natural disaster forces
you to close your doors.


Coverage Insights

Are You Covered in Case of a Business Interruption?
If a fire causes your business to be temporarily unusable, what would you do next?
Ideally, you would move to a temporary location while your permanent place of business is being
repaired. Yet, traditional Property Insurance does not cover this move or a loss of income when a
business must temporarily close. With Business Interruption Insurance, also referred to as
Business Income coverage, this setback can be minimized by simply adding this coverage to your
Property Insurance policy.

What is included in a Business Interruption Insurance Policy?
- Compensation for lost income if your business has to vacate its premises as a result of
disaster-related damage covered under a Property Insurance policy.
- Covers the profits that would have been earned based on previous financial records, had
the disaster not occurred.
- Covers operating expenses, such as utilities, that must be paid even though business
temporarily ceased.
- Covers expenses of operating in a temporary location while repairs to the permanent
location are completed.

Considerations for Business Interruption Insurance
- Business Interruption Insurance cannot be purchased on its own; it must be added to a
Property Insurance policy or included in a Business Owner’s Insurance policy.
- Policy limits should be sufficient enough to cover a large amount of time to rebuild the
permanent business space. Generally there is a 48-hour waiting period before the
coverage will apply.
- Price of coverage depends on the risk of disaster to the premises. This may depend on
the business location, nature of the business and how easily the business could function
at an alternate location on a temporary basis.

What is Extra Expense Insurance?
Extra Expense Insurance is also a viable inclusion to cover the amount needed to avoid having to
shut down a business while the permanent location is being repaired. This coverage reimburses for
expenses that arise on top of normal business expenses and will be paid to decrease business
interruption costs. Depending on the disaster, Extra Expense Insurance may be sufficient enough
to provide financial relief without having to utilize Business Interruption Insurance.

Insurance experts estimate that Business Interruption Insurance is one of the most, if not the most,
valuable coverage available. Yet, it is often overlooked by business owners as a necessity. Since
Property Insurance only covers the cost of physical loss or damage and contents of a business in
the event of a disaster, Business Interruption coverage is invaluable in covering the loss of income
while the permanent business location is being repaired. Consult MCRA INsurance today to learn
more about all of our business continuity resources.

This Coverage Insights is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal
advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice.
Photography © Outdoor Office V154 Getty Images, Inc. All rights reserved.


Playing it Safe

Here is an employee newsletter to help keep working conditions safe on
the jobsite. Good housekeeping can reduce injury risks in the event of a
hurricane or other disaster.



TIME TO TIDY UP! Know How to Take Cover
Housekeeping Practices for Jobsites Recommendations for
When you think of housekeeping, do vacuums,
Inclement Weather
toilet brushes and bleach come to mind? These Nasty weather patterns can lead to your safety
items are great for tidying up at home, but work being jeopardized. When inclement weather is
areas require different housekeeping practices approaching, keep your ear to the grindstone by
that can prevent accidents. In fact, good monitoring radio and television advisories from
housekeeping is one of the most effective ways of the National Weather Service. As you get word
reducing your risk of injury or illness on the job. of a storm’s progress, replenish and/or gather
Consider these housekeeping tips to keep working any necessary supplies and equipment to keep
conditions safe: you safe. If you receive notice that a weather
 Store materials and tools in a specific location, warning has been given for your area, remain
away from main foot traffic. calm and alert other coworkers.
 Dispose of combustible materials properly so If you are working indoors during inclement
that you do not start a fire while cleaning up. weather, go to the lowest level in an interior
 Pick up stray items to prevent tripping and room and lie flat on the ground with your arms
accidental falling hazards. over your head. Avoid windows and exterior
 Remove or bend over protruding nails on doors and walls. If you are outdoors, head to the
scrap lumber to thwart puncture wounds. nearest ditch, lie flat and cover your head with
your arms.
 Safely store tools with sharp edges pointing
downward.
A few other safety reminders:
 Continuously clean your space throughout the
day versus waiting until the end of the day to  Hurricane season runs from June through
November. A hurricane watch means that
tidy up. You will increase your risk of injury as
the storm may hit within 24 hours, whereas
the day carries on.
a warning means that it is expected to strike
within 24 hours.
Encourage your coworkers to
participate in housekeeping efforts so  Tornadoes are more prevalent in spring and
summer and tend to occur at the end of a
everyone remains safe on the job!
nasty thunderstorm.

On March 18, 1925, the United States suffered
its worst tornado tragedy in the tri-state area of
Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. Several twisters
killed 747 people and injured another 2,027.
Of the victims, the largest tornado killed 695
people, which is the greatest single tornado
death-toll on record.

Workplace safety tips brought to you by the insurance specialists at Maran Corporate Risk Associates, Inc.

Emergency Hurricane Preparedness
Checklist for Business Owners & Operators

Hurricane Preparation Suggestions and a Business Checklist of Emergency
Supplies.


EMERGENCY HURRICANE PREPARATION
Checklist for Business Owners and Operators

For: Date: May 21, 2010
Conducted by:

According to the American Red Cross, almost 40 percent of all small businesses affected by
a major disaster, such as a tornado, flood, earthquake or hurricane, do not reopen their
doors because they were unprepared for the disaster. Therefore, it is necessary for business
owners and managers to consider the fact that a natural disaster is possible. Ask yourself
these questions: How could I continue to conduct business if the city (or even just the
streets near my building) are closed off? How could I serve my customers’ needs if my
facility needed to close for several months? Could my business survive if it was closed down
for several weeks or months?

Even if a hurricane does not put your company out of business, you may not be able to
make contact with your customers or obtain important deliveries. To combat these risks,
you must take the necessary steps before a disaster strikes to prevent severe damage
and disruption of your business in the future.

HURRICANE PREPARATION SUGGESTIONS

Consider implementing these hurricane preparation suggestions into your business to avoid
unnecessary upsets in the event that disaster strikes:
€ Check local flood maps by visiting www.esri.com/hazards. Also have your building
inspected by a licensed professional to ensure that the roof and other connections comply
with the wind loading requirements for your area.
€ Consider installing impact-resistant film on your windows.
€ Gather a list of vendors and telephone numbers of individuals or entities that are critical
to your daily operations. If you heavily rely on one or two vendors, consider adding a
backup vendor outside of your area.
€ Prepare a list of companies that can assist you in recovery efforts, such as removing
debris, moving and computer services.
€ Provide employees with a chain of command and list of responsibilities in the event that a
disaster strikes.
€ Prepare a list of your employees and their contact information. Also find out where they
may vacate to, if you are required to evacuate the city.
€ Arrange for communication with your clients and customers, in the event of a disaster, to
keep them informed.
€ Constantly diversify your customer base, products and sales locations. This will prevent a
major loss, if a majority of your customer base is affected by the hurricane as well.
€ Designate a remote phone number on your voicemail system for which you can record
messages to employees in the event of an emergency.
€ Arrange for programmable call forwarding of your business lines with the phone
company. Then you can call and reprogram your phones from a remote location, if
needed.
€ Install emergency backup lights that turn on when the power goes out.
€ Back up your data on a frequent basis and keep this information off-site.

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

If employees may be confined for several hours, or even days, consider stocking the following items
at your place of business:
€ Flashlight and extra batteries
€ Battery-powered radio
€ Ready-to-eat canned foods, fruits and vegetables. Also energy foods, such as granola
bars. Select foods that do not require refrigeration, cooking or preparation.
€ Water stored in plastic containers
€ Urge employees to keep a three-day supply of their medications on-hand as well as pain
relievers and stomach remedies.
€ Urge employees to bring in a blanket.
€ Paper plates, cups and utensils
€ Manual can opener
€ Urge employees to keep an extra pair of reading glasses at work.
€ First-aid supplies:
o Adhesive bandages
o Sterile dressing
o Roller gauze bandages
o Triangular bandages
o Gauze pads
o Germicidal hand wipes and alcohol-based sanitizer
o Non-latex gloves
o Adhesive tape
o Cold packs
o Scissors
o Tweezers
o CPR face shield

REDUCING DAMAGE
€ Bolt tall bookcases and displays to the wall studs.
€ Secure breakable items in a stand using hook-and-loop fasteners.
€ Place large objects on low shelving.
€ Install latches on drawers to prevent them from flying open.
€ Secure pictures and mirrors to the wall with closed screw eyes and wire.
€ Secure your water heater to the wall studs with plumber’s tape or strap iron.
€ Install flexible connectors to appliances using natural gas and automatic fire sprinklers.

WHEN STORMS ARE IMMINENT…

Once you get word that a storm is coming, you must take action NOW. First, secure your facility
by covering windows with shutters or plywood. Then, cover and move equipment to a more
secure area. Also consider the following actions:

€ Back up your files and move this information off-site.
€ Make arrangements to use alternative means of communication, especially if you cannot
shut down your systems completely.
€ Check your emergency supplies and stock up on any necessary items.
€ Help your employees get to their families safely. If it is not safe to leave the facility,
establish a meeting point outside of the evacuation area for employees once you can
leave.

INSURANCE CONSIDERATIONS
In addition to the various precautions that you should take in-house, you should also have
adequate insurance coverage to protect against losses. Contact MCRA to discuss your
exact needs and potential coverages that are right for you.

Beyond your typical policies, you may also wish to purchase Flood Insurance and Business-
Interruption coverage. Also, have your business appraised every five years and provide appraisal
documentation for MCRA. In addition, conduct an inventory of your supplies and
equipment, including photographs of these items and descriptions. Then leave this information in
an off-site location.

Everyone at your facility should know what to do and how to prepare for a
hurricane.

Contact your local Red Cross chapter for more preparation information, and us
for all your business and storm insurance needs.

Hurricane preparedness white paper

Recomendados

Recomendados

Más contenido relacionado

Destacado

Destacado (14)

Similar a Hurricane preparedness white paper

Similar a Hurricane preparedness white paper (20)

Más de Maran Corporate Risk Associates, Inc.

Más de Maran Corporate Risk Associates, Inc. (8)

Último

Último (20)

Hurricane preparedness white paper