By: * Larissa de Morais Catita Escobar, Insurance Specialist
Hurricane season isn’t just a weather headline for Florida business owners, it’s a wake-up call. Every year, storms grow more intense, and 2025 is already predicted to bring another round of potentially devastating impacts. If you own a small or mid-sized business in Florida, the time to act isn’t when the sky darkens, it’s now.
Running a business demands your full attention, which makes it easy to overlook something that hasn’t happened yet. But in Florida, one overlooked detail in your risk plan can turn a short-term storm into a long-term crisis. Ask yourself:
- Could your premises withstand hurricane-force winds?
- Is your inventory protected from flood or power-related damage?
- Would your business survive a two-week shutdown?
If you’re hesitating on any of these, you’re not alone, but you are exposed. One of the biggest misconceptions I see is the assumption that a standard commercial insurance policy covers everything. It doesn’t. When a storm hits, many business owners are shocked to discover exclusions or high deductibles that leave them footing massive bills.
Here are three critical policies to review:
- Windstorm Insurance
Florida policies often exclude wind damage unless you’ve purchased specific coverage. If you haven’t reviewed this recently, now’s the time.
- Flood Insurance
Flooding isn’t just a coastal issue. Storm surge and heavy rains can cause devastating water damage far from FEMA’s designated flood zones and standard policies don’t cover this.
- Business Interruption Insurance
Even if your physical space survives, a temporary closure can drain your cash flow. This coverage helps replace lost income, pay ongoing expenses, and support your recovery period. When reviewing your protection, don’t overlook:
- Hurricane-specific deductibles, which are often higher than general ones
- Exclusions for indirect losses, like spoiled inventory from power outages
- Gaps in coverage for specialized machinery or critical technology
A comprehensive policy review with a licensed advisor can uncover these blind spots before they become costly mistakes. Insurance is a financial tool, but operational preparedness is what truly protects your business. Take these steps now:
- Back up critical business data to secure cloud storage
- Digitize and safeguard important documents
- Train staff on evacuation and emergency protocols
- Elevate valuable equipment and waterproof key assets
- Establish a communication plan for employees, vendors, and clients
Preparation is more than just a checklist; it’s a mindset. It’s about recognizing the unique challenges your business faces and proactively addressing them before a hurricane becomes a reality. Whether it’s reinforcing your building, investing in a generator, or developing a contingency plan for remote operations, every proactive measure strengthens your resilience.
The faster your business can resume operations after a storm, the less damage you’ll suffer in both revenue and reputation. Preparedness isn’t about fear, it’s about leadership. Responsible business owners don’t wait for the next hurricane warning to take action. Speak with a qualified insurance professional, fine-tune your policies, and implement a storm response plan today. You can’t change the forecast, but you can change your outcome.
* Larissa Catita Escobar is an expert in insurance, specializing in life insurance and employee benefits. With years of experience helping businesses in Florida navigate the complexities of insurance, she is passionate about helping companies create sustainable benefits programs that improve employee satisfaction and security.