The Florida Surplus Lines Association urges businesses of every type and size to prepare for Hurricane Season. Please explore and make use of the tools below for guidance on actions you can take to assess your risk, mitigate potential damage, create a plan, collect and protect your documents and information and communicate before, during and after a storm.

As business owners, many with networks of employees, it is critical to develop a disaster preparedness plan and to urge families to do the same.

Preparedness Resources for Businesses: 

• Ready Business Hurricane Toolkit
• FEMA Business Protection Toolkit
• Florida Division of Emergency Management Business Resources
• My Safe Florida Home Program
• Division of Emergency Management Shelter Information Index
• Florida Office of Insurance Regulation Hurricane Resources
• Hurricane Guide from CFO Jimmy Patronis
• Florida Office of Insurance Regulation Hurricane Resources
• Florida County Emergency Management Contacts
• Guide to the Flood Claims Process

Flood Insurance:

For business owners in particular, it’s crucial to be proactive in safeguarding operations and ensuring employees’ and customers’ safety. It’s essential to plan for hurricanes and secure appropriate insurance coverage — contact your agent for an insurance checkup and don’t delay in securing flood insurance. Note that standard policies do not cover floods, so understanding your property’s floodplain is essential. While NFIP has a 30-day waiting period, the private flood market, including the surplus lines insurance market, does not. These markets offer broader coverage solutions without the NFIP’s restrictions, such as coverage for loss of use and business income.