Commercial CAT Loss Preparedness

Shawn Folks • October 8, 2018

Preparing for a Large Loss isn’t just a Hurricane Season

Hurricane Season reminds us of the need to review catastrophe plans; however, any time of year a property can have a major water loss, fire or other property damage affecting operations.


When we set meetings we often hear in Louisiana, “I am up to my ass in alligators,”. It is meant to describe a busy week/month for facility managers. We understand the limitations and it is why we believe having a detailed and well-prepared catastrophe plan for our clients helps us be efficient handling of high-volume claims or helping a single company maintain operations.


During any size loss we work with facility managers and their insurance carriers to help maintain communication. It is an important role we take seriously because we help ensure proper coverage and reporting of information the insurance carrier needs to approve the claim.


The CAT Plan

A company’s plan to respond to a catastrophe needs to be based on many factors. The size of the company, where the company is located geographically, the organizational structure, the type of business the company writes and the severity and type of claims the company expects to receive. Just remember, it is always important to have more resources available than needed.


BEFORE THE DISASTER


Business Continuity Plan – When a storm is expected to cause damage to a location, the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) is a vital. This plan will determine things such as: how employees are notified, where staff is relocated to, how equipment will be procured, where phone calls will temporarily be routed to, what additional resources will be needed at the new location, etc. The BCP should be given out before storm season. It’s smart to ensure each employee is provided with a paper copy to keep at their residence.


Agency Communication – Reaching out to your agent before a large loss or on a periodically to ensure you understand the claims process and resources available to you is important. Understanding your policy and what is covered is best done before you have a loss. Ask questions about specific scenarios you have faced in the past.



After a large catastrophe, demand for services can cause CAT vendor rates to go up, if no prior pricing agreements were in place. To avoid this being an issue, an insurer may want to consider paying a retainer fee to assure that it will have adequate coverage in the event of a large catastrophe.

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The team also includes newly hired account executives, David Stern and Chad Catalano. “Over the years, we have seen our partnerships and opportunities continue to grow beyond our traditional footprint,” said Zack Klein, Director of Business Development and Marketing at Guarantee Restoration Services. “Creating a dedicated National Sales Team allows us to strengthen those relationships, support our partners on a larger scale, and continue expanding the reach of the GRS brand, while staying true to the service and responsiveness we are known for.” Dick, who will celebrate 10 years with GRS next month, brings extensive industry knowledge and leadership experience to the role. He holds multiple Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) credentials, including Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT), Applied Structural Drying (ASD), Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT), and Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT). After graduating from Louisiana State University, Barrett began his professional career with Marucci Sports before joining Guarantee Restoration Services in July 2016. Just weeks into his time with the company, the historic Great Flood of 2016 impacted Southeastern Louisiana, providing him with firsthand experience managing large-scale losses and coordinating restoration efforts for major school districts and commercial clients. Since then, he has helped cultivate business development efforts throughout Louisiana and nationally, working closely with partners in hospitality, education, government, healthcare, and other commercial sectors. “Our focus has always been relationship-driven,” said Dick. “We want our clients and partners to know they have a team they can rely on before, during, and after a disaster. This National Sales Team is another way we are investing in those relationships and positioning Guarantee to better serve organizations wherever they need us.” As part of the expansion, GRS hired David Stern as a National Sales Account Executive. Stern brings more than a decade of high-level sales and relationship management experience from the professional sports industry. 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Prior to joining GRS, Catalano served as National Sales Manager for ServiceMaster DSI and spent more than 16 years with US Restoration as a Sales and Project Coordinator. Throughout his career, he has built long-standing partnerships while helping clients navigate complex restoration and recovery projects. In addition to his restoration industry experience, Catalano also spent several years as a successful high school baseball coach in the New Orleans area, earning multiple district championships and Coach of the Year honors. His leadership, communication skills, and client-focused approach make him a valuable addition to the growing national team. Guarantee Restoration Services continues to serve clients across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama with six locations in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and New Orleans, Louisiana; Gulfport and Jackson, Mississippi; and Mobile, Alabama. 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