Severe Weather Preparedness and Recovery

A written, practiced plan can help you and your team act with confidence when weather conditions change. Regularly review your emergency weather plan and make sure your employees have easy access to it.

Put People First

Identify safe areas, evacuation routes, emergency contacts, and a reliable way to notify employees. Follow instructions from local authorities and never ask employees or customers to remain in an unsafe location.

Secure the Property

Bring in or anchor outdoor items, close and lock doors and windows, move valuable equipment away from vulnerable areas, and shut down utilities or equipment if necessary and safe to do so.

Protect Data and Critical Records

Back up customer, employee, financial, prescription, inventory, and other essential records to a secure off-site or cloud location. Confirm that backups can be accessed if your building or primary systems are unavailable.

Document Inventory and Equipment

Maintain a current inventory with descriptions, serial numbers, purchase information, and photos or video of your business equipment, inventory, and supplies. Store a copy away from the business, such as securely in the cloud.

Plan for Interruption in Services

Identify essential business operations, alternate suppliers, remote-work options, emergency power needs, and how you will communicate closures or service changes.

Review Your Insurance Coverage

Keep your policy information and Pharmacists Mutual contact details accessible. Discuss questions about limits, deductibles, and coverage with your agent before a loss occurs.

You may only have a few hours to prepare for severe weather. Even anticipated weather events, such as hurricanes or severe winter storms, can be unpredictable in their severity. If severe weather is about to hit, follow these tips:

• Monitor trusted weather alerts and instructions from local emergency officials.
• Activate your emergency communication plan and account for employees and customers.
• Complete only last-minute protective actions that can be done without putting anyone at risk.
• Do not delay evacuation to protect property. Leave immediately when directed and do not return until authorities say it is safe.
• Keep policy information, key contacts, medications, mobile devices, chargers, and essential business records with you when possible

The hours after a severe weather event can feel overwhelming. Focus first on safety, then take careful steps to prevent additional loss and support your claim.

Wait for Official Clearance

Do not enter a damaged building until local authorities say it is safe. Watch for structural instability, standing water, downed power lines, gas leaks, fire, chemicals, broken glass, and other hazards.

Report Your Claim Promptly

Contact Pharmacists Mutual as soon as possible, even if you do not yet know the full extent of the damage. Early reporting helps us begin guiding you through the claims process.

Document the Condition of Your Property

If it is safe, take photos or video before moving items or beginning cleanup. Make a written list of damaged property, equipment, inventory, and records.

Prevent Further Damage

Take reasonable temporary measures, such as covering an opening or moving undamaged property away from water, only when they can be completed safely. Keep receipts and do not make permanent repairs or discard damaged items until you have spoken with your claims representative.

Track Expenses and Communications

Save invoices, receipts, estimates, and notes from calls or visits related to the loss.

Unfortunately, severe weather can attract unlicensed contractors, dishonest vendors, and people who misrepresent their role in the insurance process. Pause before agreeing to work or sharing information.

• Do not discuss your claim with an unfamiliar person who arrives at your door. Ask for identification and verify anyone claiming to represent Pharmacists Mutual by contacting us directly.
• Do not sign a contract, assignment of benefits, or other document under pressure. Never sign a blank or incomplete agreement.
• Avoid large upfront payments. Be cautious of cash-only demands, unusually low bids, scare tactics, or promises that sound too good to be true.
• Verify contractors. Choose established, insured contractors, confirm licensing or registration as required in your state, check references, and obtain multiple written estimates.
• Get everything in writing. A contract should clearly describe the work, materials, price, payment schedule, and expected start and completion dates.
• Talk with Pharmacists Mutual first. Contact us before authorizing permanent repairs or allowing someone to act on your behalf in connection with the claim.