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Hurricane Preparedness: Proactive Planning with Pre-Loss Agreements

August 1, 2024
Jim Wills

As we brace for the 2024 hurricane season, Colorado State University has updated its forecast, predicting an unprecedented 25 named storms, with 12 expected to reach hurricane strength and six becoming major hurricanes. This aggressive forecast underscores the urgent need for businesses to prepare not just for the storms but also for their aftermath.

Why Pre-Loss Agreements Matter

When disaster strikes, relying solely on local resources can be a gamble. Local resources may be quickly overwhelmed, leaving businesses without the support needed. This is where pre-loss agreements come into play. By establishing these agreements in advance, businesses can ensure they have the necessary resources and support to recover swiftly and efficiently.

The Benefits of Pre-Loss Agreements

  1. Proactive Response: Pre-loss agreements enable businesses to respond proactively rather than reactively. This means faster mobilization and a better understanding of the property and its needs.
  2. Resource Allocation: With pre-arranged agreements, businesses can secure priority access to resources, ensuring they are not left scrambling when local resources are stretched thin.
  3. Business Continuity: Pre-planning and redundancy are key to mitigating risks and ensuring business continuity. This approach helps businesses recover more quickly and with greater assurance.
  4. Compliance with Insurance and FEMA Requirements: Pre-loss agreements can help businesses meet FEMA’s competitive landscape and documentation requirements for insurance reimbursements and additional funding, ensuring they can access necessary financial support.
  5. Comprehensive Management: Partnering with firms that handle mitigation and reconstruction can save time and money, providing a seamless recovery process.

When Hurricane Ian hit the Florida West Coast, many schools, hospitals, and other institutions struggled to obtain the necessary legal and key personnel to move quickly. Some contractors operated on trust, while others moved on to other projects. This highlights the importance of having pre-loss agreements in place to avoid such delays and complications.

A Case in Point

Conclusion

The 2024 hurricane season’s aggressive forecast serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preparation. By establishing pre-loss agreements, businesses can ensure they are ready to face the challenges ahead, with the resources and support needed to recover quickly and efficiently. Don’t wait for disaster to strike—prepare now and secure your business’s future.

Hear from one of our clients about their Hurricane Ian experience.

“I have said often, if after the hurricane you need to organize your resources…You’re way late to the party! This needs to start every year in developing a cogent, workable plan. We learned many lessons from Hurricane Ian. I now ask the team wherever we can “How can we harden the site?” GRS shared with us the elevator barriers which is a good example of something we should have had. We do now.” “Also, Speed matters- by being early on the recovery we were able to get things off the shelf before the shelves went bare. Backflow preventers, switch gear, electronic components of all kinds are examples of things that we procured when others did not. A competing high-rise hotel told me they were 40 weeks out waiting on elevator parts, wow that is painful. GRS was quick and to offer solutions and keep us moving ahead!”
Robert Boykin, BMC Group – The Pink Shell Resort, Fort Myers Beach, FL

Call or email GRS today to start planning to reduce your downtime should you find yourself in the middle of an event.



About Authors
Jim Wills has over 36 years of restoration and disaster planning experience. He holds his Associate in Business Continuity Certification (ABCP) as well as the Certified Business Continuity Vendor Certification (CBCV) through Disaster Recovery Institute. Jim is a licensed All-lines Insurance Adjuster and has been the Managing Director of Commercial Loss Solutions for two of North America’s largest restoration and recovery organizations. GRS Disaster Response is the first construction management company to introduce the design-build and open book pricing model to the insurance claims industry. Jim has provided consulting services for major insurance companies after some of the nation’s worst natural disasters. He has been a speaker at many trade and industry organizations.
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