Winter Weather Increases the Opportunity for Claims
Winter weather is nearing for many Financial Institutions across the United States. With the onset of winter come risks from freezing temperatures and snow, increasing opportunities for unwanted claims. There are steps that can be taken to reduce the risks this weather presents.
Steps to Take Now
Last minute steps include preparation for power outages, prevention of roof collapse, keeping heat sources safe and warm, preventing frozen pipes and understanding the winter weather alerts. Easy maintenance includes ensuring insulation is proper along exterior walls and around windows. If the building has gutters, ensuring those are cleaned out to allow water to drain is important to preventing a loss, along with ensuring trees are cleared back from roofs. It’s also important to be sure roofs are maintained well and able to absorb the necessary load from heavy snowfalls. While ongoing plans for building maintenance should address this exposure, double-checking the roof before snow arrives is a good safety precaution.
Understand Weather Alerts and Review Contingency Plans
Reduce the Potential for Slips and Falls
Plan to Clear a Path
For employees engaged in clearing of snow, it’s important to provide correct tools and encourage proper technique. When possible, it’s good to outsource snow removal to a third party, but in some places the frequency of snow fall makes that difficult. This often requires assistance from employees, which creates an exposure to workers’ compensation claims if an injury results.
Make Sure Vehicles Are Prepared
Finally, while buildings and grounds are important places to look, it’s also good to make sure vehicles are prepared. Having fluids checked, tires inspected, and heating working properly are important measures for employees relying upon transportation. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) offers tips for preparing vehicles.
Let Us Help You and Your Clients Be Prepared
With all that can go wrong, taking steps to avoid a loss is a good first-step. Knowing you have proper insurance coverage assures you of peace of mind if something bad happens. At Berkley FinSecure, we pride ourselves on helping customers work through those unfortunate moments and providing products that address these exposures.
Contact any one of us below for help in making sure your Financial Institution customers are protected!
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VP Sales and Distribution
Jon Martin 410-372-6325
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Midwest Region
Chuck Cook 913-553-8559
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Northeast Region
Jeanne Shrum 207-415-4587
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West Region
Scott Harris 512-800-5393
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Mid-Atlantic/South Regions
Dave Cassel 443-987-8619
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Northwest Region
Pete Verretto 973-775-5233
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Products and services are provided by one or more insurance company subsidiaries of W. R. Berkley Corporation. Not all products and services are available in every jurisdiction, and the precise coverage afforded by any insurer is subject to the actual terms and conditions of the policies as issued. Certain coverages may be provided through surplus lines insurance company subsidiaries of W. R. Berkley Corporation through licensed surplus lines brokers. Surplus lines insurers do not generally participate in state guaranty funds and insureds are therefore not protected by such funds.
For additional information concerning W.R. Berkley Corporation’s insurance company subsidiaries, please visit: http://wrbc.info/