Wild weather seems to be dominating the news headlines more often lately. And natural disasters are no longer a seasonal event or problem for a particular part of theUnited States. Epic hurricanes are hitting the East Coast, tornados are tearing through the Mid-west, storms are slashing the South, and wildfires are whipping on the West Coast. Nature's wrath seems to be a year-round risk that keeps our entire country on edge.
Recent research by The Hartford found many small business owners are protecting their property in advance of catastrophes, but few are protecting one of their most crucial assets — their employees.
"The Hartford Small Business Pulse: Storm Sandy," a March 2013 survey of impacted New York, New Jersey and Connecticut small business owners, found many prepared for the massive storm by protecting their buildings, business programs, critical data, and vital records. But less than half (47 percent) of impacted small business owners cited employee issues as a challenge during or after Storm Sandy.
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As we enter hurricane season, now is a good time to meet with your small business clients and prospects to discuss their preparedness, including life and disability insurance for employees.
Consider sharing these five tips:
- Create an employee emergency communication plan, including a list of employee home and mobile numbers. Test your phone tree or text alerts on a regular basis.
- Make provisions for an alternate location if the company's main office experiences a power outage or closure due to a natural disaster. Don't forget to enable access to records and data at other locations. Keep in mind that The Hartford's survey found small businesses impacted by Storm Sandy were closed an average of seven days.
- Review your insurance coverage, including life and disability insurance benefits for your employees to ensure their income is protected in case they are disabled or worse. Include these insurance papers in your emergency kit, as well as insurance contact numbers, websites or email addresses.
- Connect with business partners, including insurers, via social media. Often they are tweeting tips or posting updates to Facebook before, during and after storms.
- Check on support services, such as the Employee Assistance Program, that can help you and your team before and after extreme weather. Group disability and life insurance may include these value-added services.
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