How To Get Back to Business After a Natural Disaster
No one wants to have to deal with a natural disaster. It’s a shock to all your employees to see everything they’ve worked for become decimated. So, after the emotional shockwaves pass, what do you do? You have to get back to business at some point, and it’s best to do so as quickly as possible. So how do you get back to business after dealing with a natural disaster? We’ll show you how below.
Regroup and Reevaluate
After a natural disaster occurs in your business, your employees and coworkers will likely be shaken up. Since heating equipment is a major cause of commercial building fires, seeing their equipment burnt to a crisp or melting will likely draw some attention. That said, everyone must do their part.
Reevaluation is also important. Ensure your employees know exactly what they should and shouldn’t do on the premises, especially if the issue was caused internally by a breach of conduct. For example, they shouldn’t smoke within 25 feet of the commercial building or leave hazardous equipment unattended. Also, go over emergency protocol, especially if no one followed it during the event, so that everyone knows where to go and what to do in case of an emergency.
Report the Damage to Your Insurance Company
As a business, you need insurance policies in case of disaster. To ensure you get the ball rolling, contact your insurance company or broker as quickly as possible. They’ll formally walk you through the process of filing a claim, which includes you providing them with information online or over the phone. Make sure you keep notes on each call, copies of the conversation, documents you’ve swapped with them, and the names of the people you spoke with. Once you’ve formally filed the claim, an adjustor should come to the building to assess damages. This is a major way you can get back to business after a natural disaster.
Get Repairs Scheduled
You should begin repairs as soon as the adjustor has assessed the damage. You can speak with them before you get vendors out to repair the company. You should get quotes from qualified vendors and assess the timeline, availability, and costs to begin. Don’t forget to look at the guarantees and warranties your vendors offer you. Your insurance company might directly pay for repairs, or they could reimburse you. It depends on your situation. If you take these steps, you’ll be ready and able to tackle the aftermath of the disaster that shook your business.
