YOU HAVE all the tools lying around the shop to complete nearly any task a customer has when they pull into your bay. But just as important as being able to serve your customers is protecting your business from fires those tools and supplies could cause.
Even with the best prevention, catastrophe can strike. By preparing disaster plans and backing up files, shop owners can be prepared to handle bad situations."Number one is promptly report the loss. That's crucial for the right start in the process," says Randy Townsend, Zurich assistant vice president. "After the loss, review the insurance coverage with the adjuster or agent. If you don't have a copy of your policy because it's destroyed in the loss event, ask for a copy – and review it. You want to try to address any issues that come up early in the process."
Keeping a copy of your insurance policy is a good idea, Daryl Allegree, regional manager of Zurich Risk Engineering in North America, says, adding that it should be kept off-site with other paperwork.
"Have backup financials and important papers. If you can, either keep them off-site or in a fireproof safe or other secure area," Townsend says. "That's one of the hardest things to try and reconstruct if they're destroyed." — Tschanen Niederkohr
