What to do after a Fire

Putting your life back in order after a traumatic event can be difficult. Rebuilding after a fire though, can be especially challenging. You’re not only coping with the emotional aftermath, but, you will also need to organize your salvageable possessions. Arranging temporary housing for your family until your home is livable again only compounds the issue. When you’re prepared for the destruction that a fire brings BEFORE it happens you can be better equipped for a disaster should it happen to your family.

1. First and foremost make sure your family has a safe place to stay should a fire happen. You will need to have a place to sleep, clothes to wear and a place to bathe. If you take medications, wear eyeglasses, use prosthetics, or need any other essentials you should contact local charitable and emergency management organizations for assistance. If they cannot provide for you, they will most likely be able to point you in the right direction.
2. Contact your family to let them know you’re in a safe place and where you can be contacted. A fire could be a big story for local news stations and leaving your loved ones to find out about it that way could cause unnecessary stress.  You can also ask a friend to post a message on Facebook or other social networking sites to alert other friends and family that you are safe.
3. Do not visit your property or the remains of your home until you get the all-clear from the fire department.
4. Call your insurance agent to file a claim as soon as possible. You should do your best to leave the remains intact until the claims adjuster arrives. Do not sort through the rubble or begin any cleanup efforts until after the insurance adjuster has met with you and completed the list of personal effects that are missing or damaged. You should also give your adjuster your home inventory. If you do not have a home-inventory, there are several home-inventory apps you can download to your mobile phone. The home-inventory will then be backed up to a server where it is safe and can be accessed when needed. Complete a home-inventory before disaster strikes rather than scrambling after one has happened.
5. Salvageable items can be removed after an adjuster has begun the claims process. Don’t assume that just because an item looks intact that it actually is. Find out how to properly clean and restore them so you’re sure they are safe to use.
6. Let your post office know to forward or hold your mail until you are able to come back home. You should also consider having your utilities temporarily shut off since you’ll not be using them for some time.

For more details about how to safely handle yourself after a fire, you can visit the U.S. Fire Administration website. Call us to discuss your Houston home insurance options in the event of a fire to your home or business at 888-356-6448.

Types of Business Personal Property Coverage

In order to protect property owned by your company it’s wise to invest in Business Personal Property Coverage. For your commercial property to be covered it must be on or within a building in the business premises. Items in a vehicle or items located within 100 feet of the business are also covered.
There are a total of five different classes of items covered:

• Property of others that is in the care, custody or control of the insured: Some businesses, like repair shops, hold onto the property of their clients while they are working on it or with it for business purposes. This property can still be damaged or stolen while in the business’ possession and, therefore, needs to be covered so that the business is not liable for its customer’s losses.
• Leased personal property with contractual requirement to insure: Not all equipment used by a business might be owned by them. Instead, many businesses lease or rent bigger, more expensive items like computers, copiers or machines. In this case, if a lease or rental agreement contract requires that the business owner insure the property, it becomes covered under the business personal property coverage.
• Tenants improvements and betterments: If you rent or lease your office or retail space, and you make improvements to that space by adding shelves, lights, or other fixtures and alterations, then tenants improvements and betterments will reimburse you for the value of these improvements if they are lost or damaged in an insurable incident. Remember, the property owner’s business insurance policy will not cover your property or betterments.
• Exterior building glass: This class is also for tenants of buildings. Many businesses have special, decorated and lettered glass for their business’ front. If this glass is damaged in an insurable incident, it might not be covered by the property owner’s policy since it is considered under your care and custody as the lessee or renter.
• Property owned by the business and used in the business: Most contents or property will probably fall into this category. It covers all property and equipment that was purchased by the business and used in the business. This could mean machines, computers, ovens, etc. There may be special exclusions or conditions for property that is used for both personal and business needs.

Your business is your ticket to success and financial freedom. Protecting it with the right insurance coverage ensures that your business will continue to provide for you after an insurable event. You can also be assured that you will not lose your personal assets trying to recover from one.Call us today at 888-356-6448 for a free Houston Business Insurance quote.

Business & Commercial Insurance in Houston TX

General Liability

If you have a personal umbrella liability policy, there's generally an exclusion for business-related liability. Make sure you have sufficient auto liability coverage.

Unfortunately for every business owner, the chances of getting sued have dramatically increased in the last decade. General Liability insurance can prevent a legal suit from turning into a financial disaster by providing financial protection in case your business is ever sued or held legally responsible for some injury or damage.

General Liability pays losses arising from real or alleged bodily injury, property damage, or personal injury on your business premises or arising from your operations. The Hartford's liability programs extend far beyond the provisions of typical policies, with broadened coverage and increased limits in over 30 areas.

Workers Compensation

Workers compensation laws were created to ensure that employees who are injured on the job are provided with fixed monetary awards. This eliminates the need for litigation and creates an easier process for the employee. It also helps control the financial risks for employers since many states limit the amount an injured employee can recover from an employer.

Workers Compensation Insurance is designed to help companies pay these benefits. As a protection for employees, most states require that employers carry some form of Workers Compensation Insurance. Workers Compensation Insurance is not health insurance. Workers Compensation is designed specifically for injuries sustained on the job.

In most states, if you have employees, you are required to carry Workers Compensation coverage. Even in non-mandatory states, it can be a very good idea, particularly if you have many employees, or if they are engaged in hazardous activities.

Let ABM Insurance & Benefit Services, Inc. find coverage that meets your needs and your budget. Call us for a fast, FREE Houston business insurance quote! We have access to multiple insurance companies for your business & commercial and workers compensation coverage throughout the Houston, Spring, Conroe and Webster areas in Texas.