Property Damage Insurance Within BOPs

Severe weather can happen anywhere, and it is often hard to determine exactly how bad the damage might be until it is over. If your business is impacted, then you might face the prospect of financial loss as you try to rebuild your property. 

However, if you have appropriate property insurance, you will be able to receive assistance covering the costs of storm damage. For small business owners, this coverage is usually offered as part of a business owners policy (BOP), which can provide essential coverage to small operations without stressing their overhead budget. Keep reading to learn more about using property coverage to your advantage. 

Storm Damage and Property Insurance 

Severe weather is unpredictable, no matter how much advance warning you might have. After it’s over, you might find that your commercial property has experienced significant damage. Stock, machinery and furnishings might all be either destroyed or in need of significant repairs, and this might prove costly. 

Still, the property insurance within your BOP will be there to help you when your equipment and other property sustain damage in a storm. However, it’s important to note that this coverage still has specific provisions. If the damage was due to wear and tear, or to poor maintenance, the policy may not help.  

Filing a Storm Damage Claim 

As soon as a storm is over and you have secured your property, contact your insurance company. Property damage claims generally skyrocket after storms strike certain areas, and the sooner you start your claim, the sooner you will get your business on the road to recovery. 

When you contact your agent, discuss the nature of the damage, and take photos to help support the claim. Do not clean up or try to make repairs unless your agent instructs you to do so. They might need to dispatch a claims adjuster to your location so that they can get a full picture of both the cause and the nature of the damage. 

Working with your agent, you can determine the value of repairs necessary, and your agent can tell you precisely what your policy will pay for these losses. There is a maximum payout that your plan will pay for any claim, and deductibles will usually apply to property damage claims. Your policy documents will explain these terms. 

Be sure your BOP always represents the value of your property assets. It can make a big difference in the long term when it comes to protecting your business operations.