Storm Season Prep: A Checklist for Melbourne Businesses
Melbourne's weather can turn quickly, and storm season brings risk to businesses right across Australia. Severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, hail and heavy rain can damage roofs, signage, stock and equipment, and flash flooding can close roads and premises. A bit of preparation before the warmer months can reduce the damage and help you get back to business faster.
Before storm season: check your premises
Walk around your premises, or ask your landlord or property manager to, and look for:
Gutters and downpipes: clear leaves and debris so water can drain away from the roof
Roofs: loose sheets, cracked tiles, rusted flashing and blocked box gutters
Trees: overhanging branches near the building, power lines, car parks or signage
Signage and fixtures: signs, awnings, shade sails and roof-mounted equipment that could come loose in strong winds
Drains: stormwater pits and grates in your yard or car park that may be blocked
Outdoor items: bins, pallets, furniture and materials that could be blown around
If you lease your premises, check your lease to see who's responsible for which maintenance. Owners of commercial property should agree a maintenance schedule with tenants or the property manager.
Protect your stock, equipment and data
Store stock and important equipment off the floor where possible, particularly in low-lying areas
Keep a spare tarp, sandbags and basic tools on hand
Know where your mains power, gas and water shut-offs are
Use surge protection for computers and key equipment
Back up business data regularly and keep a copy off site or in the cloud
Keep a current list of your plant, equipment and stock, with photos
Plan for disruption
A simple business continuity plan can make a big difference. Think about:
Who you'll call first, and how you'll contact staff if phones or power are down
Key supplier and customer contacts, and your insurer and broker details
Where you could operate from temporarily
How you'd keep taking orders or bookings if your premises are closed
For cafés and restaurants, plan for power outages and spoiled refrigerated stock. For manufacturers, think about which machines would be hardest to replace and how long they'd take to source. Transport and logistics businesses should plan routes and parking to keep vehicles out of flood-prone areas.
Check your insurance before you need it
Storm season is a good time to review your cover. Questions worth asking:
Is storm damage covered? Most business property policies cover storm, but check the definitions and exclusions.
What about flood? Policies define "flood" differently from storm water run-off and rainwater. Some policies include flood, some offer it as an option, and some exclude it. Know which applies to you.
Are my sums insured current? Rebuild and replacement costs change. See our post on keeping sums insured current.
Do I have business interruption cover? If you have to close after storm damage, this cover can help replace lost profit and pay extra costs, subject to the policy.
Is spoilage covered? Refrigerated stock lost due to a power outage may need a specific section of cover.
Are vehicles covered for hail and flood? Check your commercial motor policy.
What's my excess? Some policies carry a separate excess for certain natural hazards.
Our business insurance page outlines the covers we arrange. If you're not sure what your current policy includes, send us your schedule and we'll take a look.
Stay informed
Keep an eye on warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology and your state or territory emergency services during storm season, and consider your state's official emergency alerts app. If there's a warning for your area, secure loose items, move vehicles to safer ground and make sure staff know the plan.
After a storm
Put safety first. Stay away from fallen power lines and damaged structures. Call the SES on 132 500 for storm and flood help, or 000 in a life-threatening emergency.
Prevent further damage. Take reasonable steps such as covering a damaged roof with a tarp, if it's safe to do so.
Take photos and video of all damage before cleaning up or throwing anything out.
Keep damaged items where possible until the insurer or assessor says you can dispose of them.
Keep receipts for emergency repairs and clean-up costs.
Contact us as soon as you can. We'll help you lodge the claim and work with the insurer. Read our guide to making a business insurance claim or visit our claims page.
Get your cover storm-ready
We look after businesses Australia-wide by phone and email. If you'd like us to review your business insurance before storm season, call us on (03) 9078 6473, email info@mminsure.com.au or contact us.
General advice warning: General advice only. This information is general in nature and doesn't take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before deciding to buy or continue to hold any insurance product, consider whether it's right for you and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD), available from us or the insurer. Cover is subject to the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions of the policy.
M & M Insurance Services Pty Ltd ABN 54 664 837 138 is an Authorised Representative of Ausure Pty Ltd ABN 94 096 971 854 | AFSL 238433.
