Damage Assessment

 

  • Damage assessment should be one of your first first tasks after gaining access to your business.
  • Depending on the size of your business you might consider establishing a response and recovery team to do the damage assessment as well as other post hurricane functions.
  • The results of the damage assessment should be communicated to your insurance company as soon as possible.
  • You and/or members of your response and recovery team should be trained in adavance to conduct damage assessments.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is involved in conducting a damage assessment?
Some of the things that you and/or your response and recovery team should consider are:
  • Contact your insurance company.
  • Take photos or videotape the damage.
  • Account for all damage-related costs.
  • Conduct salvage operations. Separate damaged from undamaged property
  • Take an inventory of damaged property (damaged property and goods should be kept on hand until the insurance adjuster assesses the damage).
  • Assess the value of the damaged property and the financial impact of your business interruption.
  • Protect undamaged property by making temporary repairs (see Protection of Salvageable Assets).
  • Keep a log of critical events indicating who did what, when, why and how.
  • Keep detailed records of all expenditures.

Where can I get information or training I or my response team should have?

The first source you should consider for training is your insurance company. Many insurance companies have programs covering disaster preparedness and damage assessment.

 

Hurricane Planning Directory: