Heather Wood

For many organizations, the loss of income coupled with continuing expenses after a fire or other disaster can be even more devastating than the damage itself.

To increase the chances that a loss will not shut operations down permanently, organizations must assess their exposures accurately by asking some questions.

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• What is the most the organization could lose from a shutdown? Commercial Property insurance policies define “loss of income” as the sum of the expected pre-tax profit or loss and necessary continuing expenses. For example, if the expected profit is $300,000 and necessary continuing expenses are $100,000, the potential loss of income is $400,000. To calculate their exposure to business interruption losses, organizations should refer to their balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and cash flow statements. Insurance companies also have worksheets available to assist with the calculation.
• How much insurance should be carried? Once the organization knows the dollar amount of its exposure, it must decide how much Business Interruption insurance to buy. The key considerations are the length of time the insurance is likely to apply and the coinsurance percentage the organization must meet. Coverage usually begins 72 hours following the damage to the property and ends when business resumes at another location or when the building should be repaired with reasonable speed, whichever occurs first. If the organization decided that the coverage period would be around six months, it could buy an amount of insurance that would satisfy a 50% coinsurance requirement. If the interruption would last longer, higher coinsurance percentage and limits would be necessary.
• How long will it take business to return to normal? Even after operations resume, it could be some time before revenue returns to normal levels. Customers who had gone elsewhere during the shutdown might be slow to return. The standard insurance policy extends coverage for 30 days after operations resume, but some businesses might need more time than that, especially if their businesses are seasonal. For example, a seaside restaurant in New Jersey that makes most of its profits during the summer will need additional coverage even if it can re-open in November.
• How much of the normal payroll expense will continue during the shutdown? The organization will need the continuing services of some employees while it attempts to re-open, but other employees might not be necessary. For example, accounting staff will be needed to pay mandatory expenses such as property taxes and collect receivables earned before the shutdown. Employees who stock shelves will not be needed if there are no shelves to stock.
• Does the business depend on other businesses for revenue? A business can suffer a loss even if its own building is untouched. A loss that shuts down a key customer or supplier or damage to nearby property that causes authorities to close off access to the street can devastate a business’s bottom line (this happened to many businesses affected by 9/11). Special insurance coverage is available to protect against this possibility.

Our professional insurance agents can help you answer these questions and identify insurance companies that can meet coverage needs. With some effort and planning before a loss happens, an organization can emerge from a shut down and return to profitability.

As every business owner knows, risk is an unavoidable part of doing business. However, it is manageable and controllable. Although it is a challenge that requires time and experimentation, finding a perfect balance between profitability and peace of mind is essential. It’s impossible to eliminate risk completely, so it’s important to set realistic goals. Policies that are enacted in an attempt to fully eliminate risk could actually hamper business growth.

The Importance of Risk Management. The common concept of risk management among small business owners involves simply purchasing regular insurance protection. Other aspects of protection often escape consideration. Risk management is much more complex than simply purchasing insurance and implementing rules. These are both necessary parts of every plan. However, there are many other things to consider.

Tips for Implementing a Realistic Risk Management Plan. It’s best to start with a simple plan that is easy to follow. The prime goals should be mitigation and management of business risks. After trying the plan, analyze it and make any necessary changes or additions. Consider the following steps in order to make a positive change:

1. Identify the Risks. There are some risks that are universal. However, there are also some that are specific only to certain types of businesses. It’s important to conduct a thorough risk analysis to identify them. The best way to accomplish this is to use a standard risk checklist. There is a Small Business Insurance & Risk Management Guide available from the Small Business Administration. This guide is helpful in outlining potential risks. While going through the list, pay close attention. Most business owners are able to think of other potential risks that are unique to their situation during this process. Some of the most important initial risks to consider include:

• Property losses that occur from loss of use, physical damage or criminal activity.
• Liability losses that happen to customers and are the fault of the business.
• Business interruption losses stemming from fires, natural disasters or other unpredictable occurrences.
• Key person losses or the loss of important employees, which results in a negative impact on the company.
• Employee injury losses that occur when an employee is injured on the job and must be compensated.

2. Determine How Vulnerable the Company Is to Various Risks. Consider the various risks and how much each one would cost the company. Not all types of companies are as vulnerable as others. Companies with high vulnerability to expensive risks need to make those specific areas a strong priority in their risk management plan. The risks that aren’t worth worrying about should receive a much lower priority. Keep in mind that it’s not feasible to eliminate every possible risk. However, some need much more consideration than others. For example, a paper manufacturing company should consider the risk of employees losing limbs on dangerous presses in the manufacturing line before they become concerned with possible paper cuts to fingers of employees in the inspection department. As an overall rule, the cost of preventing the risk should never exceed the amount the estimated loss that might result from that risk.

3. Create a Contingency Plan. There is more to this aspect than purchasing insurance. Be sure to implement plans that place employee safety higher than efficiency. Install a security system to protect all property from theft and damage. Avoid transactions with unknown customers. Implement plans to train supervisors to minimize loss of key employees.

4. Purchase Adequate Insurance. In addition to purchasing enough insurance, it’s imperative to purchase the right types. Some of the key types of coverage to purchase include:

• General Liability insurance, which covers the legal liabilities faced from injuries to third parties. Medical expenses, property damage and bodily damage are typically covered.
• Professional Liability insurance, which covers allegations of malpractice, negligence and other errors in services.
• Product Liability insurance, which covers the expenses related to injuries or damages resulting from a defective product. This is essential for all companies producing tangible products.
• Commercial Property insurance, which covers loss and damage costs for business properties. Business interruption is typically covered by this provision.

5. Revise as Necessary. Be sure to review and update risk management plans regularly. Reassess risks and make any necessary changes. It’s important to have regular review meetings with department heads, owners and a risk management consultant. Be sure to inform the insurance company of any changes or new risks.

Business owners who plan to raise capital from investors must be especially vigilant in their risk management planning. Having a good plan and updating it regularly is important for gaining their trust and making them comfortable with the opportunity to invest.