Disaster! Is Your Business Ready?
10 Questions to Get You Ready
Paul Lindsay, EPIC Insurance

We hate to think about it, but in this day and age planning around the potential consequences of a disaster will pay dividends. This quiz will help you determine if your business is ready to overcome a disaster. If you cannot answer "yes" to every question, you have work to do!

1. Could a natural or human-caused disaster cause an interruption in your normal business operations?

2. Do you know which parts of your business must resume operations as soon as possible after a disaster? If so, have you made plans that will get these vital operations up and running quickly?

3. Do you have a plan and the supplies needed to protect your employees and property during a disaster and to take care of you until assistance arrives?

4. Do you have a communication plan to notify clients and employees if a disaster occurs whether during or outside work hours? If so, what are your instructions? What are your expectations?

5. Have you evaluated your building’s ability to withstand a natural disaster? If yes, have you taken measures to mitigate risks?

6. Do you have vital files and IT systems backed up and accessible from a secure off-site location?

7. Could you quickly continue business operations even if you cannot use or access your place of business? How?

8. Could you continue operations if a location your business depends on (such as a supplier, key customer or access road) is inaccessible, or if your basic services (water, electricity, etc.) are off?

9. Have you worked with public safety agencies, local businesses and community leaders to plan for recovery if a large-scale disaster affects your community?

10. Have you consulted with an insurance broker to determine if you have the financial protection through your insurance enable business continue operations and fully recover after a disaster?

If you answered "No" to any of these questions, get a disaster plan going. You will be amazed at the peace of mind you gain from having a solid plan in place. For additional help, please contact the PCOC Insurance Program professionals of EPIC at (877) 860-7378 or, email us @ ProPest@epicbrokers.com. Also check out: www.pcocinsurance.com.