Hurricane season is a serious risk management threat in South Carolina. Over the past 20 years, members of the South Carolina Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund incurred over $9 million in damages from hurricanes.
Like other forms of severe weather, hurricanes and tropical storms can hurt a municipality’s ability to maintain its services, and they can create significant and costly insurance issues as well. There are numerous items that municipal leaders should check at the beginning of hurricane season:
Review the city’s property coverage contract.
Be sure to understand the valuation of covered property, and especially whether the listed asset values are up to date for potential claims involving property damage, business interruption and other coverage areas.
Be aware of any contractual limits in the insurance coverage, as well as deductibles and loss-reporting requirements, since these rules can be complex for catastrophic losses. For example, the SCMIRF coverage contract has limitations for properties that are eligible for coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program. SCMIRF also has deductibles that apply specifically in coastal counties when damage has been caused by a “named storm,” when the tropical cyclone was intense enough to officially receive a name from the National Hurricane Center.
Municipal officials also need to know if flood events are covered, and if that coverage is excluded for any specific locations. They should also know how “storm surge” is defined in the contract; how the contract addresses the costs of business interruption, like revenue or extra expenses; any restrictions the coverage places on the timing and location of rebuilding; and deadline requirements on filing proof of loss.
Determine if there are ways to better secure property against hurricane damage.
There are numerous important steps to take for at-risk assets when a storm is approaching:
- Relocate high-value assets such as fire trucks, fleet vehicles or other equipment away from low-lying, flood-prone areas.
- Secure facility doors and board up windows to protect from flying debris.
- Remove or secure outdoor items to prevent them from becoming flying objects in high winds.
- Clear rain gutters and downspouts and check drain pumps.
Make sure the city has plans for emergency response and business continuity.
Review the city’s crisis management procedures and business continuity plans for any needed updates. Officials need to consider potential impacts of both direct or indirect hits from a major storm for their residents, employees, and the vendors that would be involved in storm recovery. They should also work to establish coordinated response procedures with other local government agencies and emergency services. Municipalities should consider preventive maintenance on backup resources, like power generators.
Establish emergency notification and evacuation plans for employees.
Municipalities need to have emergency contact lists established, and can plan out work-from-home procedures when it is possible and appropriate for employees. Plenty of first responders and other essential workers cannot work remotely in an emergency, and will need many critical supplies — drinkable water, nonperishable food, first-aid kits, flashlights, handheld radios or cell phones.
Be ready to handle the insurance claim process.
Keep critical financial records at a site secure from flood or wind damage. Maintain detailed tracking of all documentation requests, such as what was requested, who requested it, who responded and when and to whom the information was sent.
If a hurricane occurs, SCMIRF members should report claims within 30 days of the date of loss. If you are covered by the National Flood Insurance Program for flood damage, obtain reporting procedures from NFIP and notify them as well if you experience flooding.
Contact Mike Waslewski, SCMIRF claims manager, for any questions about claims service or procedures at mwaslewski@masc.sc or 803.933.1272.