Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1545780
W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 7 J U LY 1 3 , 2 0 2 6 Administration's Safe Streets and Roads for All program. The funds will support the Brighton Avenue Safety Demonstration Project, a data-driven initiative designed to improve safety for all road users along a critical one-mile segment of Brighton Ave. TD Beach to Beacon 10K introduced a new brand and logo. Savant Wealth Management, a national, fee-only registered investment adviser, announced it has partnered with Richard Brothers Financial Advisors, a registered investment advisor in South Portland. Program trains next generation of Maine loggers A Maine logging training program looks to address a shortage of equip- ment operators and truck drivers in an industry that contributes an estimated $1.3 billion annually to the Northeast's economy. A 20-week certificate program in mechanized logging operations and forest trucking is being offered at Kennebec Valley Community College's Alfond Campus in Hinckley. C E N T R A L & W E S T E R N Scarborough, ME // Pittsseld, ME // Auburn, NH A FAMILYOWNED BUSINESS SERVING OUR CLIENTS SINCE 1948 AAAENERGY.COM Contact us to learn about customized HVAC-R service plans for your facility. HVAC, PLUMBING & ELECTRICAL 24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE DESIGN/BUILD SERVICES COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION BUILDING CONTROLS MAINTENANCE PLANS Building efficiency. It's what we do. A n s w e r e d b y B y C a r r i e G r e e n Y a r d l e y , Y a r d l e y E s q . P L L C A S K AC E The Association for Consulting Expertise (ACE) is a nonprofit association of independent consultants who value "success through collaboration." The public is welcome to attend its regular meetings to share best practices and engage with industry experts. For more information go to www.consultexpertise.com. Carrie Green Yardley is an attorney and founder of the Greater Portland-based firm Yardley Esq. PLLC. She is the secretary of the Association for Consulting Expertise board and a member of ClimateWork Maine's Sustainability Council. carrie@yardleyesq.com. Q: How can my business protect itself legally from the impact of severe weather? ACE advises: Start with insurance. As a lawyer, I often review insurance policies after a loss occurs — or worse, after cover- age has been denied. By then the horse is out of the barn. However, when I set up a company I send the owner directly to an insurance agent. A good agent knows how to evaluate the specific risks associated with a business, and to manage those risks through available coverage. Increasingly those risks include flooding, severe storms, prolonged power outages and supply chain disruptions. Once I know what risks are covered — and which are not — I'm in a much better position to draft a contract, which may or may not include requiring the other party to increase its coverage. Be prepared to answer these questions: Property coverage. Does your policy reflect the current replacement cost of your buildings, equipment and inventory? Flood risk. Standard commercial property insurance generally does not cover flood damage. Do you need separate flood insurance? Never assume MEMA or FEMA assistance will be enough. Business interruption. If your business had to close for several weeks because of a weather event or utility outage, would your policy cover lost income and continuing expenses? Equipment and utilities. Would your cov- erage respond to damage caused by power surges, refrigeration failures or prolonged electrical outages? Supply chain disruptions. How dependent is your busi- ness on key suppliers or transportation routes affected by severe weather? Liability exposure. Have changes to your operations created new risks? Policy exclusions. Understanding what is not covered is just as important as understanding what is covered. Insurance is only one part of climate resilience; there are risks insurance will not cover. Businesses should also review emergency response plans, data backup procedures, vendor relationships, and facility maintenance to reduce the likelihood and impact of a disruption. As weather-related risks evolve, an annual conversation with both your insurance advisor and your attorney can help ensure that your insurance, contracts, and operational plans work together to protect your business.