Revitalizing after Impact: Vehicle collisions shake Idaho businesses

In April 2022, a Nampa resident crashed his vehicle into the front entry doors of an Idaho State Liquor Store, leaving behind a trail of damage. Elite Restoration, a restoration company with six offices throughout southern Idaho, quickly responded to the scene. 

“We were on-site within one to two hours and cleaned up all the glass. The entire process took roughly six to eight hours, and then we boarded it all up,” said Jaryn McKnight, director of operations for western Idaho at Elite Restoration.

The liquor store collision is not an isolated incident. In Nov. 2023, a minivan crashed into Baird’s Dry Cleaners on Broadway Avenue. Just last month in December of 2023, an inebriated driver collided with the Boise Bicycle Project — a bicycle nonprofit on Lusk Street that was in the midst of preparations for a holiday bike giveaway for children. The organization is now reaching out to the local community for support in the aftermath.

These incidents prompt a closer look at the preparedness of businesses and the importance of having plans in place to recover and prevent unforeseen events.

According to Swiss Re Institute, an insurance risk analytics organization, homeowner and commercial property claim costs increased year-over-year by 36% and 30% respectively. The increases are “driven up by inflation and natural catastrophe losses and delaying overall industry profitability movement,” the institute reported. Increases are also causing insurers to limit coverage in catastrophe-prone markets.

Elite Restoration conducts approximately 200 commercial restoration projects each year in southern Idaho. Specializing in residential and commercial property damage restoration, the company addresses a range of issues, from water and fire damage to floods and mold.

According to McKnight, the typical cleanup process for a local business or client seeking restoration assistance begins with documentation of the damage. A call is then placed to a customer service representative who gathers information and dispatches emergency response crews. 

Once the emergency response phase is finished, McKnight said his company initiates contact with a client’s insurance company, utilizing provided claim numbers and adjuster details. The ensuing negotiation process with the insurance company ensures an agreed-upon cost of repairs, enabling his company to efficiently coordinate with the property owner for scheduling repairs. Throughout the process, the company facilitates client-driven upgrades, allowing them to leverage insurance funds and contribute additional resources for desired enhancements, be it flooring or other modifications.

Even in cases where only half of a building is operational, ensuring its safety for customers until repairs are completed becomes a priority.

“One of our key priorities is to minimize the downtime for businesses — time is crucial, especially when they’re dealing with potential revenue loss. We aim to be on-site as soon as possible to initiate the cleanup and restoration process,” McKnight explained. “To minimize potential hazards, we make sure they’re okay to open or not.”

To mitigate the risks of structural damage, the company suggests that businesses consider installing bollards where possible. These metal pylons serve as protective barriers, reducing the risk of vehicles colliding with buildings and preventing car-related damages.

“The Valley Country Store in Shoshone was ran into [by a vehicle] about three times within the same year,” McKnight said. “They ended up installing bollards on every one of their stores throughout southern Idaho and they’ve yet to have the damage from that since.”