Most Small Business Owners at Risk for a Disaster

A new survey by Nationwide reveals that three in four small business owners do not have a disaster recovery plan, but more than half say it would take at least three months to recover from a disaster.

“And yet they are the ones most affected by a disaster. That’s why it’s essential for small businesses to have a disaster recovery plan.”

Nationwide commissioned Harris Interactive, which conducted an online poll among 500 U.S. small business owners with fewer than 300 employees from June 8–19, 2015.

“Small businesses are least likely to have disaster recovery insurance,” says Mark Pizzi, president and chief operating officer of Nationwide Direct and Member Solutions. “And yet they are the ones most affected by a disaster. That’s why it’s essential for small businesses to have a disaster recovery plan.”

Since there hasn’t been a major national disaster in years, America’s small business owners may be feeling overconfident — even as they head into the summer storm season and National Preparedness Month (September).

According to the survey, one in four believe the likelihood of a natural disaster occurring in their area is slim (26%). Just over one-third (37%) say climate change and the weather phenomenon El Nino have decreased the likelihood of a natural disaster impacting their business.

Still, the gravity of the recovery from a natural disaster is not lost on small business owners — as an estimated 25% of businesses do not reopen following a major disaster.1

The survey also revealed some other shocking facts:

• While more than a third (38%) of small business owners say it is not important for their business to have a disaster recovery plan, over two-thirds (69%) have an evacuation plan at home.
• For many without a plan for their business, disaster recovery is simply a low priority (34%). Time (11%) or cost (15%) play little roles in the decision not to have a written disaster recovery plan in place.
• For companies with fewer than 50 employees, only one in five (18%) have a disaster recovery plan.
• Unfortunately, if a disaster were to occur, 44% of small business owners say they don’t have access to generators — and 66% don’t even have business interruption insurance.

Having processed more than $417 million in catastrophe claims related to small businesses since January 2013, Nationwide can provide owners with guidance and information to help them prepare, should a disaster strike.