Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefits : Keep an eye on your refrigeration to keep things cool at your business

[Attachment] Let's face it, you depend on your coolers and refrigeration units to keep your product fresh-especially during busy times like Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. Needless to say, you don't want it breaking down and heating up when you need it the most. We've found some simple precautions you can take to help avoid problems before they begin.

Maintenance checklist

You want your product inventory to be safe and secure. That means making sure the cooler meets your needs-and that includes regular maintenance. You should:

• Visually inspect the unit
  • Look for signs of corrosion on fins, cabinet, copper tubing, and solder joints
  • Look for excessive or unusual vibration for fan blades or sheet metal panels when in operation
  • Check for debris in the drain pan to ensure it's free of obstructions, ice buildup, and is free draining
• Confirm the thermostat of the temporary cooler is operating at the correct temperature
• Clean the evaporator coil and blades
• Inspect electrical wiring and components for wear, kinks, bare areas, and discoloration and replace it if needed
• Check all fans and make sure the area around the refrigerator is clear and not obstructing airflow
• Test the door gasket by closing a dollar bill in the door, then pulling it-you should feel some resistance

Remember, even a fully-functioning cooler can malfunction if you don't use it properly. That means avoiding overstocking. If you put too much inside, the cooling unit may not be able to keep up and can either break down or get too warm, damaging your product.

Insurance coverage

If you have a freestanding or temporary cooler, be sure to check with your insurance expert about what's covered.

A freestanding display cooler falls under Business Personal Property coverage, which protects the contents inside your building for certain causes of loss. Some policies also extend Business Personal Property coverage to property in the open within a certain number of feet from the building. Flowers in a refrigerated trailer are not considered in the open.

A temporary storage/cooling unit is not considered part of the building. Since it's not a permanently installed fixture, it would essentially be a separate structure that does not have insurance-unless you specifically endorse your policy to include it. Ask your agent how to insure the contents in a temporary storage unit and what the potential costs might be.

If your policy offers an optional endorsement that covers contents in a temporary storage unit, make sure you know what perils are covered. Damage caused by mechanical breakdown is normally excluded under a commercial business policy.

Contact your Hortica agent if you have any questions regarding cooler/refrigeration safety and your coverage details and options. We're ready to have a conversation with you.

Related links:

For more information on safety preparation for your business, check out the Hortica Resources section.

Are you thinking about adding some extra help for Valentine's Day or Mother's Day? We have some suggestions you'll want to consider when it comes to hiring extra hands.

If you're considering adding some extra space to your business for the holiday rush or a special program, you'll want to make sure your insurance coverage also expands into the new space. Take a look at our tips.