Commercial property loss: an operational checklist

Organize building, equipment, inventory, and interruption records after a commercial property event.

Protect people and operations

Follow emergency and utility guidance. Record which locations or systems are unsafe, and do not restart damaged equipment without qualified clearance.

Preserve business records

Document building, contents, inventory, equipment, and damaged work areas. Keep payroll, sales, expense, lease, and operating records that may be relevant to the claim. Preserve copies securely and follow your insurer's reporting instructions.

Coordinate the work

Assign one point of contact for claim communications. Keep dated logs of decisions, temporary repairs, vendor scopes, invoices, and changes. Ask professionals to state their role, fee structure, and which interests they represent.

Business interruption and other commercial coverages are highly policy- and fact-specific. This checklist is not legal, tax, accounting, or insurance advice.

Source references

• NAIC — consumer insurance resources
• Ready.gov — business emergency preparedness

Explore related losses

• commercial loss
• water
• fire smoke
• wind hail
• flood

Educational information, not legal advice or a coverage determination.