Disaster-Proofing Your Agency: Lessons from Houston with Cheryl Sanders

In this episode of "Know Your Risk and Insurance Coverage" with RiskProNet, Cheryl Sanders from Brady, Chapman, Holland & Associates in Houston shares her expertise on disaster recovery planning for insurance agencies, drawing from real-life experiences with major hurricanes like Katrina, Rita, and Harvey. Cheryl discusses the evolution from manual backup tapes to cloud-based systems, strategies for maintaining operations during crises, and the importance of staff safety and client communication. She also highlights the challenges posed by modern weather events, internet and cell service disruptions, and the growing need for cybersecurity preparedness. Packed with practical advice, this episode provides value for agencies looking to enhance their disaster recovery plans and better serve their clients.Timecodes00:00 Introduction – Welcome to "Know Your Risk and Insurance Coverage"00:19 Episode Overview – Disaster recovery planning with Cheryl Sanders00:44 The Challenge – Lessons from Hurricane Katrina and Rita03:12 Disaster Recovery Evolution – Moving from manual backups to cloud-based systems05:18 Modern Challenges – Houston’s increasing climate risks06:06 Today’s Disaster Plan – Cloud reliance and unexpected hurdles10:07 Communication Issues – Addressing cell and internet outages12:18 Claims Reporting – Streamlining the process with proprietary tools14:01 Staff Preparedness – Training and role clarity for disaster events15:41 Client Touchpoints – Enhancing empathy and client communication17:17 Budget Considerations – Allocating resources for disaster recovery18:09 Cybersecurity – Safeguarding against evolving threats20:12 Future Planning – Improving employee support during crises24:45 Closing Remarks – Thank you for tuning in and staying preparedResources:Become a member at RiskProNet.comConnect with Cheryl Sanders on LinkedinConnect with Chip Arenchild on LinkedIn