DEFENSE - PRE-PLANNING: Discuss what could happen in different scenarios and determine how the agency would respond. Develop a written plan and then practice the plan.

QUARTERBACK: Draft a disaster preparedness coordinator and give them the responsibility and authority to put your plan into action and to change the rules at the line of scrimmage if necessary.

PICK YOUR ELIGIBLE RECEIVERS: Your plan should include the identification of key employees and making sure that they know their roles in the event of a disaster. Train each person on how to "catch the pass" of their assignment and make sure you answer any questions they have before disaster strikes.

AUDIBLES: How are your communication strategies set up? Set up an employee-calling tree and make sure everyone has employee cell phone numbers in addition to home phone numbers. Develop an emergency call in number so that your employees can call in and get messages about what to do. Be sure that you have access to your web site, Internet and agency management system off-site. You need to be up and running in 24 hours or less and to be able to maintain contact with your customers, so having access to emails, addresses and phone numbers is critical.

FREE SAFETY - USE TECHNOLOGY TO YOUR ADVANTAGE: Convert to electronic files when possible. Utilize your agency management systems' capability for download for both personal and commercial lines and also for claims. Your customers will be likely to look at your web site first in the event of an emergency. Have a link on your web site to advise them of what to do, including how to communicate with you and with their carriers' claim offices. Consideration should be given to giving them a vehicle to report claims on-line or through email. Arrange for an alternative phone line that would allow your agency calls to be switched to it if you lose power.

PUNT - BE PREPARED TO LET OTHERS HELP YOU: Look at the possibility of contracting in advance with a 24/7 remote telephone service to be able to handle customer inquiries due to availability of your staff or just shear overload of calls. Find the right vendors to be able to provide you with emergency equipment or replacement equipment. Think about the viability of having a remote hosting site for your agency management system. Talk to local technology firms about their ability and willingness to provide emergency services or help-desk capabilities. Work with a local agency or business who might allow you to have a temporary office at their site, or discuss options with your current landlord. Have a contract for an emergency generator including refueling arrangements.

BOOTLEG - INFORMATION TO YOUR CUSTOMERS: Help your customers be prepared as well so that they know how to go the opposite direction from their normal path of getting in touch with you. Give them the information about your plan in advance so that they know how to contact you. Consider an ad program that would play after a disaster. This could include signage, newspapers, radio and TV. Train your customers to go to the website for information. Have disaster preparedness information for them on your website. Use newsletters and mailing inserts to educate them on what they need to do to protect themselves.

TWO-MINUTE WARNING - WHAT INFORMATION WILL YOU NEED TO TAKE IF YOU NEED TO EVACUATE: This could include: Employee calling tree, carrier contact information and passwords, phone company and vendor information, emergency assistance and services contacts, complete customer lists by department including phone numbers, effective dates and key policy information, copies of the disaster plan, equipment inventories, and key agency information. Of course, this information should all be protected for security reasons. Have an email contact list of all customers and send a warning email about the disaster and to notify them that you could be down temporarily.

REVERSE ROUTE - BACKING UP AGENCY DATA: Create a regular back up system, including taking daily tapes to alternate locations. It would be preferable to have two employees involved in this process with two separate sets of tapes. Test the integrity of the tapes and the restoration process monthly. Explore investing in a secondary form of data archiving. If an evacuation is necessary, have a plan to be able to overnight a copy of the latest tape to your agency management system's data center.

HUDDLE - WHAT TO DO IF YOU CAN"T LEAVE THE OFFICE: Prepare your office just like you would your home. Have at least a two-week supply of bottled water and canned food or dry goods on hand. Stock the office with fans, extension cords, batteries, flashlights, battery-powered lamps and radios. Make sure that you have first aid supplies and blankets for your staff.

DROP KICK - BE PARTNERS WITH YOUR CARRIERS IN THE PLAN: Know what their CAT plans are, how they will handle claims and how you can communicate with them effectively. Arrange to have draft authority or ways to get customers emergency funds. Make sure you can file claims on-line. Communicate your plan with them.

BLOCK - PROTECT YOUR E&O: If you have to replace coverage with a different carrier, advise your customers of coverage differences and obtain their written acknowledgement of any reductions. Document with the customer any adverse change in a carrier's A.M. Best rating during the term. Have your customers