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

Know Your Risk and Insurance Coverage with RiskProNet

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.
Timecodes
00:00 Introduction – Welcome to "Know Your Risk and Insurance Coverage"
00:19 Episode Overview – Disaster recovery planning with Cheryl Sanders
00:44 The Challenge – Lessons from Hurricane Katrina and Rita
03:12 Disaster Recovery Evolution – Moving from manual backups to cloud-based systems
05:18 Modern Challenges – Houston’s increasing climate risks
06:06 Today’s Disaster Plan – Cloud reliance and unexpected hurdles
10:07 Communication Issues – Addressing cell and internet outages
12:18 Claims Reporting – Streamlining the process with proprietary tools
14:01 Staff Preparedness – Training and role clarity for disaster events
15:41 Client Touchpoints – Enhancing empathy and client communication
17:17 Budget Considerations – Allocating resources for disaster recovery
18:09 Cybersecurity – Safeguarding against evolving threats
20:12 Future Planning – Improving employee support during crises
24:45 Closing Remarks – Thank you for tuning in and staying prepared
Resources:
Become a member at RiskProNet.com
Connect with Cheryl Sanders on Linkedin
Connect with Chip Arenchild on LinkedIn