ACT Puts Out Agent Disaster Guide

ACT Puts Out Agent Disaster Guide

The Agents Council for Technology (ACT) said its report was sparked by the 2004 hurricane season that spawned four hurricanes over Florida. Its findings are titled "Key Considerations in Disaster Planning & Management for Independent Agencies & Brokerage Firms."

"This report draws on the experiences of independent agents and brokers living through disasters of all sorts, whether they be natural or man-made," said Ed Higgins, chairman of the ACT Disaster Planning Work Group and principal at Thousand Islands Agency in Clayton, N.Y.

Mr. Clayton said, "Our discussions drove home the point that disaster planning and management is an imperative for every independent agency and that the plans developed will help assure the agency's ability to continue to serve its customers following the disaster."

"The key is for independent agents and brokers to plan for these events well in advance and then to practice for given contingencies regularly," noted Jeff Yates, ACT executive director.

The report offers a detailed checklist for these contingencies, Mr. Yates said. It is divided into three major sections:

? Steps to take well before a disaster.

? Steps to take when a disaster is imminent.

? Steps to take after a disaster strikes.

The ACT guide focuses heavily on advance planning and preparation, protecting agency data and systems, and planning for alternative communications.

Also discussed is the importance of making sure all employees know their specific roles to perform should a disaster strike. The report suggests principals and owners should be sensitive to the emotional toll a disaster can have on employees and customers.

The guide includes references to additional resources for agencies to consider as they build their disaster plans.

"One of the key lessons that emerged from the work group's discussions," Mr. Higgins said, "was that the agency makes the disaster plan in today's world, with today's technology, and that world may be significantly changed, or gone, after a disaster strikes."

"What struck me from our discussions," Mr. Yates said, "was the opportunity for agencies today to make arrangements in advance with vendors to continue vital agency and customer services during and following a disaster."

The report points out that we are likely to see more technology firms, user groups and associations provide their agency customers and members with emergency services in the future.

To download "Key Considerations in Disaster Planning and Management for Independent Agencies & Brokerage Firms," please visit www.independentagent.com/act.