Disaster Preparedness Tips

The 2010 Hurricane Season is officially here and the Independent Insurance Agents of Houston are committed to assisting the community in being prepared.  As we experienced with Hurricane Ike a storm may last only a day, but the  devastation can last up to months and even years.  Being prepared is the key to recovery. 

Here are a few tips to assist you in becoming and staying prepared:

• Homeowner policies do not provide coverage for rising water (flood).  Prior to a threat of a storm discuss this exclusion with your independent insurance agent.  There is a waiting period (normally 30+ days) to secure flood insurance-do not wait until a threat of a storm is nearing!
• Secure in an air tight bag (i.e. Zip-lock) important documents that you may need.  These can include:
  • Copies of insurance policies for your home, flood and automobile insurance.  Be sure to have- if you can not locate contact your insurance agent prior to an approaching storm and they will be happy to provide you with the needed information:
    • The policy number
    • The name on the policy
    • Effective date of the policy
    • The agent name and phone number
    • The insurance carrier name and phone number
  • Medical information to include a list of doctors names and phone numbers, medications (prescription number, dosage and directions) and pharmacy information.  
  • Camera-take pictures of your home inside and out prior to the storm.  Securing these  will prove-to be invaluable should a loss occur.  
• Evacuated areas during a disaster are subject to looting; therefore, before the storm arrives secure your valuables such as jewelry in a secure location such as a safety deposit box.

What to do when the storm passes:

• Report your loss as quickly as possible to your independent insurance agent or the insurance carrier 800 provided on your policy.  Be prepared to give them the policy number, name on the policy, your address, contact phone numbers and description of the loss (i.e. flood inside of the home, roof blown off, lost roof shingles, etc.).
• Take pictures of the damage
• Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage (i.e. placing a tarp on a hole in a roof).  Do not make permanent repairs until you have spoken to your adjuster and he/she has physically survived the damage.
• Take inventory of the damage - include serial and model numbers and receipts.  The adjuster will also ask that you provide the cost new and the cost to replace the item.

Source:  www.iiah.org