With the recent damages in the Gulf Coast area due to hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Poe Financial Group, a Mobile Recovery client of Rentsys Recovery Services, was not about to underestimate the potential damages to business operations a devastating hurricane could bring. 

THE PLANNING

Poe began planning their current business recovery solution in the spring of 2005, following damages sustained from the 2004 hurricane season. The damages that occurred presented them with the opportunity to re-evaluate how to best serve their clients in the event of a disaster.

Their decision led them to implement a Mobile Recovery strategy placing multiple Mobile Recovery Centers (MRCs) in the heart of the areas most affected.  Due to the flexibility of the MRCs with satellite communications, Poe had the ability to place the MRCs where they really needed them when declaration was necessary.

THE DEPLOYMENT

When Hurricane Wilma hit southern Florida, Poe officials sent out a commercial real estate agent to search for temporary locations to deploy their contracted MRCs. 

Upon reviewing the damage to the area, Poe decided that two recovery sites would be necessary due to the overwhelming amount of claims that would need processing. Their locations, a grocery store parking lot and a retail home repair center parking lot would house the MRCs, which were deployed as custom Mobile Claims Centers. 

After initial evaluation of their incoming claims, Poe came to the conclusion that an alternate location for one of their Mobile Claims Center would be of better use in Boca Raton, rather than Bonita Springs, FL. The MRC was closed up and re-deployed at its new location, a hotel parking lot, in Boca Raton, FL the next day.

The custom Mobile Claims Center running with on-board power and HVAC, was set up with a waiting room, claims adjuster stations, administrative and management stations to facilitate a full office environment.  Inclusive of this, Rentsys provided satellite connectivity with Internet access and VoIP phones for use by Poe employees to support their clients. 

THE RECOVERY

Poe was up and prepared to take claims on October 27th, three days after Hurricane Wilma made landfall.  Hundreds of claim holders from all over Florida came to the MRCs looking to have their homes repaired, and get their lives back to normal. 

Jonathan Field, Vice President of Administration for Poe, stated, “the MRCs accomplished Poe’s objective, which was to have a local presence to provide insurance in the area.”

Poe Field Adjustor, Nate Wimberly, said, “Clients loved the roominess of the MRCs.  Most expected a bunch of people crammed together.  Having a waiting room inside the facility was convenient.”  Wimberly had suffered damages to his personal home and said “It helped getting back to normal, having a place with power and Internet to do work.”

Poe was able to successfully provide their clients local and efficient claims processing with the use of Mobile Recovery Centers in the midst of a disaster area for a month following the devastation of Hurricane Wilma.  “Mobile Recovery solutions like Poe’s are becoming the optimal solution for companies that require a local presence in a recovery situation,” added Walt Thomasson, Managing Director for Rentsys Recovery Services.

The MRCs served their purpose and were an essential part in Poe’s recovery process.  The ability to continue servicing the people of South Florida was an issue that they could not afford to take lightly.  The MRCs allowed Poe to help their clients get their lives back on track.

With more than 200 years of combined experience in the Florida insurance market, Poe’s management team reflects commitment and expertise unmatched in the insurance market. Poe is built on the strong base of knowledge, experience, and commitment to customers. Poe Financial Group serves over 250,000 clients and ranks as one of the largest property insurers in the State of Florida.  Their statewide network of contracted licensed insurance professionals assures superior attention to each client’s insurance concerns.

For more information, visit www.poefinancialgroup.com.

Rentsys Recovery Services, Inc. is the premier nationwide continuity provider of true mobile recovery solutions.  Their services focus on the recovery of clients’ critical business processes using Mobile Recovery Centers with comprehensive satellite data and voice communications.  In addition to their expansive and flexible mobile fleet options, they have fixed facilities located throughout the US and a QuickShip program that includes an extensive inventory of tier-one technology available on-site within hours of a disaster. 

For more information, visit www.rentsysrecovery.com.