Protecting Your Photography Business
After a Disaster Strikes

By Wes Baldwin

You are probably well aware that owning and operating a photography studio can be quite an expensive endeavor. A successful photography business can have some pretty daunting price tags associated with it, especially when it comes to acquiring the right equipment. And that is not to mention the less quantifiable emotional price tag that may be attached to some of your assignments.

So what happens if a disaster hits your business? It could be a fire, a flood or a high wind that destroys your studio and your equipment.

Damage to the building that houses your studio will take significant resources to repair, and then there is the cost of replacing your expensive equipment. And while your place of business is being repaired and your equipment is being replaced, you may be forced to cease operations, resulting in lost income.

If that isn't bad enough, the interruption of your business can launch a chain reaction by also disrupting the events, the businesses and the lives of the people who have contracted with you for your services.

It is in your best interest as a business owner or proprietor to get your business up and running again, on at least a limited basis, in order to generate some revenue flow. But how do you do that after a disaster? How do you recover quickly with minimal interruption to your livelihood?

Will your interpretation of the loss and damage be the same as the insurance company adjuster's? The difference between a settlement at possibly a fraction of your loss and a more realistic recovery of your investment could be huge. As soon as a claim is filed, insurance companies begin formulating their opinions of your claim. They also begin setting aside their approximation of how much money they are willing to pay for your claim—an amount not necessarily in line with your estimate of the true cost of recovery.

These obstacles may seem insurmountable when you view them this way, but take heart: You are not helpless unless you allow circumstances to accumulate and are unprepared to deal with them.

Be Prepared
Before you can claim a loss of property, you have to prove that you owned it in the first place. Professional documentation ensures your greatest recovery. One way to lay the groundwork for a smoother claims process is to be prepared. Take a complete inventory and photograph your building, your studio, and all of your equipment and studio contents, and record replacement values for all items. Record serial and model numbers. Make copies of contracts and financial records that can be used to estimate business-interruption losses. Store this information, along with your insurance policy, in a secure location away from your studio where you can quickly access it in case of disaster.

After disaster strikes, take photographs of the damage. Take detailed notes of any conversations you have with fire and law enforcement officials, emergency medical personnel, and insurance representatives. Take steps to cover and protect whatever remains of your business to prevent further damage. And consider seeking professional assistance in filing your claim.

Get Professional Assistance
Many commercial property owners and small business owners are turning to public adjusters to help them maneuver the labyrinthine insurance negotiation process. Public adjusters represent the policyholder, not the insurance company. They usually work for a percentage of the final settlement offered by the insurer and receive their payment only when you receive yours. But what does a public adjuster do? What are the advantages of hiring your own adjuster over using the insurance company's adjuster or an "independent" adjuster (who is actually also retained by the insurance company)?

A public adjuster serves the client, not the insurance company. A public adjuster inspects the loss site immediately, analyzes the damages, assembles claim support data, reviews the insured's coverage and determines current replacement costs. In addition to helping you reconstruct your inventory, put together a building-repair estimate, and project losses of income for your business, public adjusters will also negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company's representative. Because their fee depends on your settlement or claim payment, you are assured that public adjusters will do everything in their power to attain the maximum amount to which you are entitled.

Not all public adjusters are the same, so it is important to do your homework before you select a firm. Here are some things you can do to find the right firm for you:

• Contact the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (www.napia.com). This trade organization represents over 100 firms and maintains a searchable database.
• Once you get a few names that look promising, interview them. Ask about rates, references and credentials. Contact their references and quiz former clients on the public adjuster's performance.
• Call your state insurance office and the Better Business Bureau to make sure the company has no unresolved complaints.

Wes Baldwin is president of The Baldwin Company, a 30-year-old professional property-loss recovery firm headquartered in Charlotte, NC. He is past president of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) after serving seven years on the NAPIA Board of Directors. He can be reached at 704-335-1111, or by visiting www.thebaldwinco.com.

WPPI 2008 Sponsors