Water Damage and Your Business

1/12/2022 (Permalink)

This large commercial property in Shoreline, WA, suffered from an extensive water loss that caused damage to several floors on this property.

Your Company And Water Damage

Any prudent business owner in Shoreline, WA, will seek to minimize risks and mitigate damage wherever it occurs. If you find yourself with flooded business premises, take the following steps to begin the recovery proceedings.

1. Understand Your Coverage

Many commercial insurance plans will not cover environmental flood damage, such as the type from heavy rainfall or overflowing rivers, by default. By examining the particular climate risks for your area, you can better assess the potential for damage to your property and make an informed decision about which extensions and packages you may require to bolster your flood coverage.

2. Potential Applications

Once your business is covered, the safety net provided by a strong flood insurance policy is invaluable. Not only do these plans typically pay for the damage caused by high amounts of rainwater entry into the lower floors, they can also assist you in repairing various structural elements such as roofing and gutters that were dislocated or clogged by the rainfall. Depending on the policy and the circumstances of the damage to your flooded business, a pipe break may also be covered.

3. Other Considerations

Most insurers will also pay for a water damage restoration service after the sources of flooding are under control. These professionals can help restore drywall and flooring to its original condition, as well as dehumidify documents and electronics. Your insurer may require that you keep an up-to-date inventory of the affected items as the restoration process progresses in order to verify the costs involved. Note that most flood insurance policies will only begin to cover your business after a month has elapsed from the time of purchase, so it may be beneficial to select a policy quickly if you feel your place of business is at significant risk.

A flooded business can cause downtime and harm customer relationships. Prevent unnecessary damage and disruption by reviewing your flood insurance coverage options.