Hurricane Insurance Readiness Guide for Logistics Professionals

Minimize disruption. Maximize recovery. Insure what matters.

Why Insurance Readiness Is Business Resilience

Every hurricane season, logistics businesses across the Gulf and East Coasts — and increasingly, inland — face serious risks. From warehouse flooding and power loss to damaged cargo and business shutdowns, the financial fallout can be significant.

The good news? Insurance isn’t just a recovery tool — it’s a strategic advantage.

This guide will help you evaluate your current policies, identify critical gaps, and understand what protections are most important before the next storm strikes.

Designed for:

• Freight forwarders
• Customs brokers
• Warehouse and yard operators
• Inland and coastal logistics providers

Let’s stormproof your insurance strategy.

Hurricane Insurance Readiness Checklist

A focused review of the five critical coverage types every logistics business should assess heading into hurricane season.

1. Business Income and Extra Expense

What it covers: Loss of income and ongoing operational expenses (e.g.e.g., payroll, rent, utilities) when your business is unable to operate due to covered events such as hurricanes. It also covers, extra costs needed to temporarily relocate or keep your business running until you’re back to normal.

Why it matters: A serious disruption can quickly drain your resources. This coverage helps ensure you can pay your bills, keep employees on payroll, and cover unexpected costs to minimize downtime—so your business can recover faster and avoid long-term financial setbacks.

Tip: Review your policy limits and make sure they reflect your current revenue and operating expenses. Also, consider potential extra costs you might face during a disruption, such as temporary relocation or equipment rental, to ensure you have adequate protection.

2. Flood Insurance

What it covers: Damage caused by surface flooding, storm surge, or rising groundwater — which is not covered under most commercial property policies.

Why it matters: Whether you’re coastal or inland, flood exposure is growing. One inch of water can cause over $25,000 in damage.

Tip: As weather becomes more unpredictable, even places that were once safe are now at serious risk of flooding.

3. All-Risk Cargo Insurance

What it covers: Physical loss or damage to cargo while enroute to its final destination due to a wide range of risks, including natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods.

Why it matters: A storm can damage cargo in ways the owner may not anticipate — such as water intrusion in a flooded warehouse, or temperature-sensitive goods compromised due to power loss in climate-controlled storage.

Tip: Proactively offer this coverage as a client add, especially during storm season. Many clients assume they’re covered when they’re not.

4. Cargo Legal Liability & Warehouse Legal Liability

What it covers:Your financial responsibility (and legal defense) for cargo that is damaged or lost while in your care, custody, and control—whether in transit, stored in your warehouse, or on your property.

Why it matters: Even with best practices, liability claims can be devastating. Legal Liability coverage protects your liability interests when the unexpected happens.

Tip: Always provide clear, written T&Cs on contracts, invoices and bills of lading — and ensure they align with your policy wording.

Coverage Audit: 6 Questions to Ask Today

Use this self-assessment to spot vulnerabilities before a storm does:

1. Do you know your current flood zone and elevation status?
2. When was your last policy review or coverage update?
3. Do your coverage limits reflect your worst-case scenario for hurricane-related losses?
4. Are your business interruption limits aligned with actual downtime costs?
5. Do you have enough coverage to replace or relocate key operations?
6. Does your team understand what documentation is needed for a claim?

Let’s Stormproof Your Coverage

Don’t wait for the next storm to expose a gap in your insurance.

At Roanoke, we understand the specific risks that logistics providers face — because we’ve been supporting this industry for decades. Our complimentary Insurance Readiness Review helps you:

• Identify hidden exposures in your current coverage
• Understand limits, exclusions, and storm-specific terms
• Receive tailored recommendations for protecting your business and your client’s cargo.

Let’s make sure you’re protected when it matters most. Contact our team of experts today to schedule your Insurance Readiness Review.  

 

Disclaimer Any descriptions of coverage contained in this information sheet are meant to be general in nature and do not include nor are intended to include all the actual terms, benefits, and limitations found in an insurance policy. The insurance policy and not this information sheet will form the contract between the parties thereto and will govern in all cases.