» Crisis Management
THI N K AHEAD “It’s
difficult to be proactive when it comes to a natu-
ral disaster like flooding,” says April Pittendreigh, claims manager at Stevenson and Hunt Insurance Brokers Limited. “When heavy rains or flood- ing occur, business owners and home owners alike are mostly at the mer- cy of their city’s sewer and drainage infrastructure.” But there are some steps you can
AFTER THE FLOOD: Glencoe Club outdoor swimming pool
$700 portable gas-powered generators to power sump pumps and purchased additional powerwashers to help clean mud out of the parking lots and off sidewalks. “Calgary is an amazing city with
a great sense of community,” says Clarke. “The Stampede grounds were covered with four feet of water, but two weeks later a midway and rodeo were operating there. And because most of our personal trainers live out- side the affected area, they all immedi- ately pulled on boots and went to their clients’ houses to help them get their homes back in working order.”
take to manage your exposure. Follow these six tips from Pittendreigh:
1. Discuss options with your insurance broker While flood insurance may not be
available on all homeowner insurance policies, some insurance companies offer the coverage on a commercial property insurance policy, usually sub- ject to a higher deductible and for an additional premium. Ask your broker if your insurance provider can provide flood coverages. Also discuss sewer back-up insurance or a water damage extension which is another coverage which provides broader coverage.
2.Build relationships If you’re a single club, create a rela- tionship with a neighbouring club and
Clean Up Tips for a Water Insurance Claim
DO THIS: • Only enter the premises if safe. • Wear protective clothing, a mask and gloves. • Remove excess water by mopping and blotting. • Turn on air conditioning and fans for maximum drying. • Transfer valuable objects to a safe place. • Punch small holes in sagging ceilings to relieve trapped water, and place buckets under leaks.
DON’T DO THIS: • Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet.
• Do not operate electrical appliances while standing on wet carpet or floors. • Do not use a consumer-grade wetvac or carpet cleaner. • Do not use any electronic appliance until it has been cleaned and checked. • Do not wipe ceilings or other absorbent surfaces. • Do try to remove large pieces of glass from windows or picture frames.
Adapted from a Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada publication
20 Fitness Business Canada September/October 2013
agree to provide reciprocal member privileges in the event of a disaster. This way your members will have an immediate temporary workout loca- tion and won’t begin shopping for a new club during your club’s down time.
3. Call for help ASAP When disaster strikes, call your in-
surance company immediately and take immediate steps to clean up. If you wait too long to call them (be- cause, for example, you’re afraid your rates will go up), a small water claim can escalate into tens of thousands of dollars. It takes just 24 hours for mould to begin forming. Don’t worry if the insurance adjust-
er doesn’t arrive immediately. The ad- juster’s role is to monitor the situation and is not as important as quickly get- ting the cleanup under control.
4. Connect with a property restoration company Develop a relationship with a lo-
cal property restoration company (a business that cleans up aſter floods and other disasters). Choose a com- pany approved by your insurer, and then use it on a regular basis for small water damage incidents, like a toilet overflow or a leaking laundry machine. Become a valued regular customer so you will receive priority treatment during a catastrophe, when their ser- vices will be in great demand.
5. Have supplies on hand and start the clean-up For example, purchase one or more
commercial grade wet/dry vacs now. In a disaster situation, stock in stores will disappear quickly.
6. Get organized Don’t throw things out. Keep all
damaged contents and equipment, or take photos and create a list of dam- ages. Keep receipts of all equipment and contents since insurers may re- quest proof of purchase. FBC
Barb Gormley is the senior editor of Fitness Business Canada, a freelance writer and editor, and a certified personal trainer. Contact her at
www.barbgormley.com.
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