Insurance and Emergency Assistance

The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) can support your business before, during, and after an emergency or other disruptions to your operations.

Get information, support, and services from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after a disaster.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a variety of assistance to small businesses affected by disasters, including loans, loan guarantees, contracts, and counseling sessions.

Take advantage of free assistance from SBS to help with your application for available business loan and grant resources, including federal, state, local, and private funds.

Preparing before, during, and after a flood is vital for a business. Use this checklist to protect your business and staff.

The Right Insurance

The correct type of insurance coverage provides financial protection ​when your business experiences disruptions​. Seek the professional advice of an insurance advisor, broker, or agent to help you develop an effective insurance program for your business.

In the event of a disaster:

• Immediately contact your insurance company or broker/agent​.
• If temporarily relocated, make sure the insurance company or broker/agent knows your temporary address and contact information​.​
• Read your insurance policy to understand what losses are covered​.​
• Take photographs/​videos of the damaged areas and assets to help with your claim​.​
• Do not remove damaged property until the insurance adjuster has assessed the damage and made an official report.
• Only make repairs necessary to prevent any further damage; if you make permanent repairs unauthorized by the insurance company, they may not be covered​.​
• Keep receipts for repairs and temporary business expenses​.​
• Establish the value of your claim: prepare an inventory of all damaged or destroyed property (item, quantity, date of purchase, cost at purchase, age, and estimated replacement cost) along with your pre-loss photographs​.​
• Work with the ​insurance company’s ​adjuster​ to ensure that the company will accept the estimate of damages​.​
• Join the adjuster​ during the inspection​.​
• If ​settlement offered by the insurance company seems unfair, contact the New York State Department of Financial Services​.​
• If parts of your claim are denied​ by your insurance company​, keep copies​ of the denial​​ notification.​
• Only hire licensed contractors who have the appropriate building permits​ to make repairs​. Always contact your insurance company and claims adjuster if additional unreported damage is found​.

For more information and assistance​, contact the New York State Department of Financial Services.

Additional Resources

• The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) can help you secure the financing you need​.​
• The U.S. Small Business Administration offers a variety of assistance to small businesses affected by disasters, including loans, loan guarantees, contracts, and counseling sessions.​

When it rains, it can flood. With flood insurance, you'll be protected in the event of flood damage.

Learn how the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) can help protect your business and recover more quickly after a flood.