According to the United States Fire Administration, direct property loss due to fires in 2005 was estimated at $10.7 billion. When a fire hits your business, it can be devastating. Besides the direct damage from fire and smoke, there can be lengthy interruption of your normal day-to-day operations. Those business in the floral and horticultural industry face special challenges - getting back to business as usual can be difficult when you have a perishable, seasonal product. Maintaining a business presence in your community - especially during the busy spring season - can seem like an impossible task in the wake of a major disaster.

In January of 2007, Hortica responded to an electrical fire at a California garden center. As is apparent in the pictures, the insured's entire retail selling area, including all of their indoor plant stock and hard goods, was devastated. However, with a little ingenuity, help from the local community, and financial support through insurance purchased from Hortica, this insured was able to make a remarkable comeback.

A local rental supply store heard about the insured's predicament and donated a large tent rental (to act as a temporary retail selling area) at no charge. Hortica paid for the rental of a trailer unit to act as a temporary office and cashier depot. Because the insured had Business Income and Extra Expense coverage, it was in Hortica's and the insured's best interest to determine ways to mitigate the business income loss.

In October of 2005, a California greenhouse grower was affected by a local power surge. Soon after, they found that their main environmental control system (ECS) computer was not working correctly. The manufacturer was contacted, and it was determined that a chip on the computer's motherboard was damaged and needed to be replaced. This business was fortunate enough to have mechanical-electrical breakdown insurance purchased through Hortica (almost all standard business owners' policies exclude non-lightning related power surges).

The insured ordered a replacement motherboard from the equipment manufacturer, but because their ECS was nearly 10 years old, there was only one motherboard available that could repair the computer (this one happened to be in Holland). Unfortunately, a customs agent damaged the chip during a routine inspection, dashing the insured's hopes of making the repair. The only available alternative was a complete replacement of the master ECS computer - including parts and installation. The manufacturer was requesting $32,482.00 for the job. Because the insured's policy was endorsed with the mechanical-electrical breakdown endorsement, payment for the replacement system was authorized.