As a business owner, you will always have to deal with some form of risk. Some are easier to safeguard against than others. However, if they do happen, you need to know how to handle each one so that your business is not impacted adversely. Having a plan of action in place for each type of situation will help you stay on top of things.

Here are a few common types of commercial insurance claims and ways to handle them.

  1. Fire

Fire is a common claim for many businesses. Most states require that businesses have fire extinguishers and other preventive measures, like smoke alarms, in place and functioning at all times. Many security systems also have fire and temperature sensors that can trigger an alarm if necessary. If a fire does occur, your insurer will walk you through the process of filing your claim and uncovering what caused the fire in the first place. They will also help you get the clean-up process started so that you can get back to business.

  1. Weather Damage

Weather damage can range in severity depending on what type of weather event you are dealing with. While it’s important to prepare for as many different scenarios as possible, some are simply unexpected. If your business is damaged in a weather-related event, your first step is to call your insurance company so that they can inspect the damage. This may involve having an adjustor or appraiser visit your business to determine what type of financial loss you are dealing with. Much like with a fire, the clean-up process may be lengthy and time-consuming.

  1. Burglary, Break-ins, and Theft

Burglary, break-ins, and theft are sometimes preventable. Having a quality security system in place that utilizes surveillance cameras and a third-party monitoring system may be enough of a deterrent to prevent potential criminals from trying to break into your business. If they succeed, however, your first step should always be to call the police. Once the police are finished, you can begin to secure your business and contact your insurer to get the claims process started.

  1. Customer Injuries

Slip and fall accidents, as well as other types of customer injuries, can prove to be costly to a business. While you might be diligent in trying to keep pathways open and everything put in its place, accidents are inevitable. If a customer is injured on your property, immediately call your insurer as soon as you are made aware of the accident and resulting injury. Don’t delay! Chances are the customer might already be receiving treatment for their injuries and may have even hired an attorney.

  1. Being Struck by an Object or Bumping into an Object

There are times when items are moved or shifted that can make them somewhat unstable. If an object should fall on a customer or an employee, you will want to notify your insurer as soon as possible. The same is true if someone inadvertently bumps into an object. The injuries may not be severe, but they might require some degree of medical treatment.

Commercial insurance claims need to be handled expeditiously. It’s of the utmost importance to always be prepared if a claim needs to be filed. Contact our agents at Scautub Agency today to get started with your claim.