If the Power Goes Out: A Small Business Continuity Worksheet

A utility outage can stop a Johnson County shop, office, or service business even when the premises have no obvious physical damage. The first task is an operating plan: protect people, secure property, and decide which services can continue. Insurance questions come next because an outage alone does not establish a covered business income loss.

Map the first hour

Write down who checks on employees and customers, who contacts the utility, and how the business will communicate a closure. Identify equipment that must be shut down safely, any temperature-sensitive goods, and records needed to track lost sales or added costs. For a Bargersville business with appointments, decide how staff will reach customers if the normal phone or booking system is unavailable.

American Family’s business emergency planning guide includes utility outages among exposures to evaluate. A practical continuity plan should work even when an insurance claim is uncertain.

Keep a dated loss and response record

Record when service stopped and returned, which operations were interrupted, any property damage, and the steps taken to reduce losses. Keep utility notices, photographs, sales records, vendor invoices, and receipts for temporary arrangements. Avoid estimating lost revenue from memory weeks later. If refrigerated goods are affected, document the condition and disposal instructions before discarding records.

Review policy triggers before relying on income coverage

Ask Jennifer which policy sections apply to your actual location and operations. Business income, extra expense, spoilage, and utility-service provisions can have distinct causes, limits, waiting periods, and exclusions. Some forms may require covered physical damage; an off-site utility problem can be treated differently. Have the agent and claim representative explain the written terms rather than assuming that every shutdown is insured.

• What event must occur for the coverage to respond?
• Does the source of the outage matter?
• Is there a waiting period or time limit?
• Which extra costs should be approved and documented?
• What records support the claim calculation?

Improve the plan after service returns

Review what worked, update contact lists, and check backup systems with qualified vendors. A utility outage worksheet complements the business inventory review; stock values and lost income are separate questions. Bring both records to the next policy review before changing operations or locations.

Browse more Small articles.

The Jennifer Dammeier Agency serves Bargersville and nearby Johnson County communities. Contact Jennifer Dammeier American Family Insurance with your current policy and the details of your situation to discuss available options.

This article provides general educational information, not individualized insurance, legal, or tax advice. Coverage, availability, limits, exclusions, and claims depend on the policy and insurer. Review your documents with a licensed agent and consult other qualified advisors as needed.