No one plans to have a disaster, but everyone should have a disaster plan. Big companies have dedicated departments that specialize in disaster planning, but in most small businesses the responsibility rests squarely on the shoulders of the owner or general manager.

Insurance industry figures show that about one fourth of small businesses that close because of a disaster, whether natural or human-caused, never reopen. In most of these cases advance planning would have made all the difference, but it didn’t get done because of limited resources, lack of knowledge or competing priorities.

Professional Help Available Free, On-line

Professional disaster planning assistance is available on-line through the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, a not-for-profit insurance industry association. The IBHS mission is to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other property losses by conducting research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparation practices.

At the IBHS Website you can test your knowledge and state of preparedness for disasters, including essential items such as:

• Employee contact lists
• Key supplier and vendor information
• Important phone numbers
• Recovery location planning
• Managing vital records
• Restoring voice and data communications
• Recovering physical assets

Is your Business Ready?

Visit the IBHS Website to view the institute's free disaster planning toolkit. Be certain to download a copy of "Open for Business," a 66 page brochure that provides a wealth of disaster planning information, including self-assessment forms, checklists and detailed instructions for developing your own disaster plan. For more information, visit the IBHS Website or call your independent agent.

For more information, visit the IBHS Website or call your independent agent.