You Have to Ask Yourself, "What Would I Do?"

Simply put, I just can’t imagine what over 50 inches of rain looks like. I believe we got 18 inches of rain within 45 minutes in Richmond for Hurricane Gaston. And I thought that was a lot.

I also wonder what coverage there would be if we got over 50 inches of rain in Virginia. Would our house be underwater? Would our office be underwater? I would think not, but really?

And of course, how on earth do you prepare your office and employees for such an event? We can’t say now — that it would be unheard of. And frankly, Isabel was enough for me.

We are in the preparedness business. We are in the business continuity business. We have an obligation and the calling to help the public and our clients prepare for catastrophe.

How many members held an earthquake policy before the event in Louisa County?

Sadly, I’ve seen that only 6 percent of the people around Houston have flood insurance.

Can we rededicate ourselves today to review all of our clients and make sure that they’re prepared for the events we can think of? What can we do to help our clients and the public be better prepared? Our hands are somewhat tied in relation to floods, and it will be truly interesting to see what comes out of Congress at the end of this month on the reauthorization of the flood insurance program.

Make a plan. Look at your own agency first. What do you need to do to prepare and have your employees prepared? Blow off the dust of your emergency plan.

Then, look at your current clients. Are they prepared? Have you offered them your best advice? Next, look at your key prospects. How can you help them prepare?

Finally, Google the Trusted Choice Disaster Relief Fund and make your contribution today to help someone in Texas, Louisiana or elsewhere.

And be safe!

Robert N. Bradshaw, Jr., MAM
IIAV President & CEO

Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia