Forecasters are predicting an active hurricane season this year, with between 13 and 20 named storms likely and around six major hurricanes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
With that said, business owners in areas that are at risk should evaluate their small business insurance portfolios to ensure they have all the proper coverage should they be hit by a storm.
"We are forecasting a higher than average hurricane season," said Accuweather senior meteorologist Jack Boston. "Now, that doesn't mean it's going to have a major impact on the United States, just because it's abnormally active."
Boston added that the water temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea are warmer than usual, which will help develop tropical storms and hurricanes.
Hurricane season is fast approaching, as it begins on June 1st and runs through November 30th.
When a storm hits, small business owners need to be concerned about numerous things.
The company building – One of the major concerns of a small business owner during a storm is damage done to their building. Should this structure be damaged it could be difficult to get back to work. Additionally, they could be on the hook for damages without having the necessary insurance coverage. That being said, the months leading up to hurricane season is the perfect time to address insurance needs so small business owners don't find themselves footing the repair bill if their building is damaged in a storm.
Data, inventory and systems – The contents of a small business should also be of concern. Whether a business has servers that store a lot of sensitive data or inventory worth thousands of dollars, business owners will want to ensure this stuff is protected. Should inventory be damaged in a storm, a small business could be forced to close its doors for good, as this is the product that they need to sell to stay afloat. By obtaining the necessary insurance protection, small business owners can ensure that this product can be replaced in the event of a disaster.
Disaster recovery plan – In addition to purchasing protection for their building and contents, small business owners need to implement a disaster recovery plan. This will help ensure that they are able to get business back up and running as soon as possible after a hurricane hits. The plan should include how employees should respond in a hurricane, what they need to do to get systems back up and the location of backup office space.
