Businesses suffer from fires every single year, whether caused by negligence, natural disasters, or just plain bad luck. As an owner yourself, the thought of dealing with this situation can be pretty scary. If you do find yourself in this unfortunate position, here are three things to do following a fire at your business that’ll make the rest of the process much more manageable.
Be Involved With the Investigation
Immediately following a business fire, an investigation begins; the authorities and sometimes private companies will work together to determine the cause of the fire. The individual inspecting your business will be either an arson or fire investigator.
Arson investigators establish whether foul play contributed to the fire, while fire investigators simply identify the causes of the fire. Both areas of investigation give the authorities, your insurance company, and yourself the valuable information that’ll be used later down the road. It’s recommended that you stay involved with this investigation, so you have a better understanding of the situation overall.
Work With Your Insurance Company
Following the investigation, it’s time to contact your insurance company. Unfortunately, this step in the process is often very complicated and stress-inducing for countless business owners. Simply notify your insurance provider of the incident and provide all related fire reports and documents.
Depending on the circumstances of your fire, your insurance company will hopefully provide a significant payout. The best way to ensure a smooth process with your insurance company is to be totally transparent and in constant communication.
Take Steps To Prevent Future Incidents
Once repairs are completed, and insurance payouts are squared, the next best step is to take action to prevent this incident from occurring again. Use the information gathered during the fire investigation as a guide to protecting your business adequately.
Additionally, work with experts to implement other fire prevention methods and constantly educate employees on the building’s best practices. Focusing on creating a safe business environment will leave you better protected against future disasters.
Understanding what to do following a fire at your business will ensure a smoother, less stressful experience. By adhering to these tips, you increase your chances of receiving appropriate reimbursement, allowing you to continue operations!
