Hurricane Preparedness for Businesses: The 30-Day, 72-Hour and Day-After Plan
Most hurricane losses are decided before the storm forms — by a deductible you did not read and a flood policy you did not buy.
- Named-storm deductibles are percentages of insured value, not flat dollars — 2% of $500,000 is $10,000.
- Flood is excluded from every commercial property policy; NFIP or private flood is separate and has a 30-day waiting period.
- Business interruption often matters more than the building, and it requires accurate financials to prove.
- Carriers impose binding moratoriums once a storm is named — coverage must be in force before that.
- Documentation before the storm is what makes a claim payable after it.
30 days out: the coverage review
72 hours out
Once a storm is named, most carriers stop binding new coverage or changes in the affected area. From that point the work is operational, not financial.
Secure the premises: board or shutter openings, move stock and equipment above expected water level, secure or remove outdoor items, and photograph the pre-storm condition of everything. Back up systems off site and take the backup with you. Notify staff of the closure plan and check-in procedure. Move vehicles to higher ground. Take the physical policy documents, contact numbers and inventory records with you, and shut off utilities as advised.
The day after: claim mechanics
Report the claim immediately, before the adjuster queue fills. Photograph and video everything before you move anything, then make reasonable temporary repairs to prevent further damage — you have a duty to mitigate, and those costs are usually reimbursable if documented.
Keep every receipt for temporary repairs, generators, fuel, relocation and additional labour. Do not sign a broad assignment of benefits with a restoration contractor without reading it. And keep a written log of every conversation with the carrier including names, dates and what was said.
Business interruption: the claim people underprepare
Business interruption pays the income you would have earned, and it is proven with records: profit and loss statements, tax returns, payroll registers and a documented sales history including seasonality. A business with clean monthly financials settles quickly; one without spends months negotiating.
Two features to check before the season. The period of indemnity — how long the coverage runs after the loss — should reflect realistic rebuilding time in a post-storm market, which is longer than normal. And civil authority coverage, which responds when access is prohibited by an order even if your building is undamaged, typically has a short time limit worth knowing.
What to fix before next season
After any storm, three improvements measurably reduce the next loss and often earn premium credit: roof attachment and covering upgrades, impact-rated openings or permanent shutters, and elevation of critical equipment above the flood line. Document each with invoices and photographs and give them to your underwriter at renewal — in wind states, mitigation credits are real money.