Practical Steps when Disaster Strikes

Be Safe

Ensure everyone is safe

Account for all employees and customers. Seek medical attention for any injuries.

Secure the property

If possible, turn off utilities (gas, electricity, water) to prevent further damage and potential hazards.

Contact emergency services

Notify the fire department and police.

Assess the damage

Work with the fire department, to evaluate the extent of damage, including structural integrity and safety hazards. Take photographs of everything.

Make these two important calls

Call your insurance company

Call an independent Claims Preparer

  1. Report the fire to your insurer. Submit a claim form to your insurer.

  2. Call Able Business Claims, your independent claims preparer.

  • We will review your schedule and advise you on what cover you have.

  • We will get you a prompt emergency payment.

  • We will prepare progress claims to get you the regular payments you will need to support you and your staff while your business in recovering.

  • We will confirm that our fee is already paid for within your Schedule.

Document, Document, Document!  

Document the damage

1 ) Take detailed photos and videos of the affected areas and make an inventory of damaged or lost items. 

2) Photograph all plant and Stock.  Photograph items individually. Make sure labels and brand names are visible in the photographs.  

3) Label all photos so items can be easily identified.

4) Prepare a spreadsheet listing labelled photographs, stock and plant and giving approximate values.  We can help with this. 

5) Document all expenses, including supplies used to protect damaged property. Keep all receipts and provide copies to your insurer and claims preparer.

6) Record the hours you and your staff put into cleaning up or redecorating. This time can be claimed within your Business Interruption Policy.

It is very important you do not throw anything out until your insurer has been and surveyed the damage and has accepted the claim and all items are clearly photographed.

Collect insurance policies, business licenses, inventory records, tenancy agreements, Annual Financial Statement and other relevant paperwork. Send copies to your Claims Preparer. Having these documents available will make preparing your claim easier and quicker.

Gather important documents

Plan for Recovery


Inform key contacts

Notify your landlord, business partners, suppliers, and customers about the situation. 

Most commercial leases have detailed provisions covering what happens when there is partial or complete damage to the premises. We can help explain whether or not you are required to pay rent and your landlord is required to rebuild.

Develop a recovery plan

Outline steps for cleaning, repairing, and rebuilding your business, including a timeline and budget. 

Plan alternative delivery deadlines to show you plan to sustain a working relationship with you customers.

Consider arranging security to protect damaged property from further vandalism.

Consider a temporary location

Explore options for relocating your business while repairs are underway or consider subcontracting work to another supplier to keep your customers happy. We have experience working with businesses that have survived by setting up pop up premises or by subcontracting work to other suppliers.  We can help with these decisions.  

Engage professionals

Work with a quantity surveyor, builders, engineers, and contractors to assess and repair the damage. It may be worth seeking data recovery assistance as well.   

Communicate with employees

Keep your team informed about the situation and any plans for returning to work.  Your policy is designed to allow cover for employee wages and salaries during the recovery period, though there is some degree of interpretation required, which we can help with.  The critical thing is to not give immediate notice to employees but keep them paid until it is clear what is best for the business and best for the employees.  

Reassure customers and suppliers

Maintain communication with your customer base and suppliers to minimize disruptions to your business.  

Understanding the extend of the damage

Smoke and water damage can cause challenges further down the road. It is important to make sure that your insurance company’s representative looks for damage beyond what is seen on the surface, which can lead to a mould growth or a weakened building. 

At Able Business claims we understand that every disaster claim is unique and that this is an extremely stressful time for you.  We can support you through every step to recovery.   

We will ensure you get prompt payments from your insurer to cover your lost income so you can continue to pay staff, meet financial commitments and rebuild your business. 

Our service is already paid for within your Business Interruption Policy so use us to get the best result and ensure the fastest recovery.