Floodwaters are among the most damaging natural tragedies to come upon a property. They are relentless, unyielding and brutal. The only real defense against them is to be prepared so that you can hopefully avoid some of the damage they can bring. Here are 12 ways to protect your home or business against a flood.

  1. Downspouts. Be sure your structure has gutters and downspouts properly installed all the way around it. The downspouts should be routed far enough away from the building to give the water an external path for runoff.
  2. Gutters. Check your roof for any debris and make sure the gutters are clean so the rainwater can flow away freely.
  3. Runoff. Verify that any external drains or channels designed to route water away from the building are not blocked or impaired.
  4. Drains. Check any city storm drains near your location to verify they are not covered, and remove any blockage so the floodwaters can flow away.
  5. Foundation. Inspect your foundation for any cracks or shifts that might allow water to pass inside. Have any problems repaired, and consider adding extra levels of waterproofing to help repel floodwaters as they arrive.
  6. Landscaping. If flooding is an ongoing possibility for your location, you may want to consider adding some retaining walls or other landscaping designed to protect against rising waters.
  7. Sump Pump. Check your sump pump and drains to verify they are free and clear to remove water before it rises in the home.
  8. Backflow Valve. Have a backflow valve installed on your main sewer system. This keeps raw sewage from entering your home as floodwaters rise.
  9. Protect. Store your valuables safely above any flood lines for protection.
  10. Elevate. Elevate your expensive appliances and heating/cooling systems to keep them above the potential flood line. Also, consider having your electrical wiring and outlets raised to a safe level.
  11. Water Sensors. Electronic water sensors can alert you if there is a problem, allowing you to check your property and get valuables moved to safety.
  12. Plan Ahead. Have a plan in place for how to deal with an incident. Imagine floodwaters approaching your facility, and think of what you’d like to have ready at that time. Go through the motions of dealing with an issue, so you’ll be rehearsed and ready for a sudden surprise in the future.

When small business owners are looking to cut costs, liability insurance premiums are often one of the first things to go. But while many business owners might believe that they don’t actually think they need it, why you should actually carry small business liability insurance is often misunderstood. Here are 4 points you should consider before deciding whether or not to carry small business liability insurance coverage. Read more

Hint: It’s not overall price.

Whether you’re looking to buy insurance for yourself or your business, or both, you shop around looking for the best deal. There are so many marketing campaigns out there to “help you” by saving money on important policies such as auto insurance, homeowner’s insurance, and various types of business insurance. But the lowest price does not equal the most valuable policy. Read more

Have you or your business been receiving lots of correspondence from insurance carriers? Are these special offers they rave about actually good deals? Turn this annoyance into a learning opportunity and ask your agent about what a good deal on insurance actually is. Read more

Do you have earthquake coverage (E/Q) with your homeowners or business insurance? Most homeowners and commercial insurance policy holders do NOT have it. But, there are very small tremors daily, and of course there is always a chance of a substantial quake.

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Did you know that floods are the number one natural disaster in the United States? Also, did you know that not every homeowner’s or business owner’s insurance policy has flood coverage? It’s important to understand that even in low-risk areas, floods can still happen, and cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your home or business. It’s scary to see just how water damage adds up. While most homeowners are worried about fire, floods are in fact the greater risk.

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Drones are becoming used in all sorts of industries, including real estate and construction. While there are definitely benefits from using drones in many different industries, there are risks to consider, as well. It’s estimated by the FAA that over 7500 small commercial drones will be in use by general contractors and construction tradespeople by 2018. What will they be used for? Many of them will be used for automating inspections, site surveys, and mapping materials. They can also be used for providing live video feeds of the job site to make sure that all workers are working safely and using their fall-prevention equipment properly. Read more

 

Natural disasters do happen, and can cause great, unexpected damages that you can’t possibly plan for in advance. Floods, hailstorms, and many other kinds of disasters can come with very little warning, not leaving much time for preparations. Will your business be able to survive an unforeseen disaster? Read more