As the weather starts to take a turn for the worst, farmers and rural businesses are being urged to take proactive steps to protect against storm damage.
H&H Insurance Brokers (HHIB) has provided five, easy-to-digest tips to businesses operating across Cumbria on how to protect their property, livestock and buildings from the potentially devastating impacts of high winds and heavy rainfall.
With stormy weather comes flying debris, structural damage and the risk of power outages.
Over the years, HHIB has helped farmers recover from the impact of storm damage through insurance claims and Caitlyn Davison, Claims Manager, has issued the following advice to mitigate the impact of bad weather:
- Prepare for power cuts: Consider back-up power solutions such as generators for a loss of light or power to essential equipment.
- Secure buildings and equipment: Inspect roofs, doors and windows, and ensure loose items such as machinery, feed bins and signage are securely fastened or stored indoors.
- Protect livestock: Review shelter arrangements for animals, particularly those kept outdoors. Ensure that fencing is secure and that contingency plans are in place should power or water supplies be disrupted. Keep an eye out for river levels in case sheep need to be. It is a good idea to sign up to alerts from the Environment Agency or any local flood groups.
- Review insurance cover: Check that your insurance policies are up to date and provide adequate protection against storm damage, business interruption and livestock loss, and that your policies include adequate sums insured.
- Create a storm response plan: Assign roles to staff, establish communication protocols, and ensure that emergency contact numbers are readily available.
Caitlyn said: “The team at H&H Insurance Brokers is experienced in helping people claim against storm damage, but we want to try, where possible, to avoid these scenarios which can be pretty devastating for businesses.
“Storms represent real risks to people and their properties, so we would encourage all rural businesses to assess the risks and take sensible precautions ahead of the storms arriving, rather than waiting until it’s too late.
“Insurance is about assessing and subsequently minimising risks. It’s not just about protecting property and assets; insurance is about safeguarding their livelihoods.”
Contact your Claims Handler on 01228 406250 or the main HHIB office on 01228 406290 for support.