Before Disaster Strikes
Have Enough Insurance
All to often we see that people are under insured. The insurance they have is not enough to cover the repair of thier home, condo, business, or industrial complex after a loss. If that under insurance reaches below the 80% of the cost to rebuild the structure then you can also be hit with a co-insurance penalty. Check out this SUPPLY LIST to help you prepare for a storm.
Contact us for a Free Policy Review to determine how well you are actually covered.
There really are only two scenarios in a disaster, Evacuation and Shelter in place. Below are some helpful hints broken out into these two scenarios.
Hint 1)
Once a year, or after any major repairs or renovations, take clear photos and videos of the inside and outside of your property, as well as allbelongings you will be leaving and taking with you. This will help prove what you lost in the event your structure is compromised. Further, the items taken from your home in an evacuation are typically still covered, should something happen to them, while you are Evacuated. For example, say you bring your jewelry into your hotel room, and it gets stolen, it would be covered to its insured amount in your policy.
Hint 2)
If possible, board up windows and doors or lower your storm shutters. This will show you did everything possible to prevent any damages from occurring to your home.
Hint 3)
Put important items you are unable to bring with you as high up as possible. In the event there is flooding, or water enters into the structure, this will better the odds it will survive the event.
Hint 4)
Plan on the worst possible scenario when packing up, you may return to find there is nothing there, prioritize what you are able to bring with you. Keep in mind it may be several weeks before you are allowed to return to your structure. It is also wise to go over this scenario now, you do not want to be wasting time deciding what is important to you in an evacuation scenario.
Hint 5)
Have a water proof and preferably fire proof container which has all of your important documents, and bring them with you. These would be Social Security Cards, Birth Certificates, Copies of your Insurance Policies, Deeds, and Mortgages for example.
Hint 6)
Create multiple evacuation plans. If one of your evacuation sites becomes compromised, you will want to have a contingency plan on where to go.
Hint 1)
Take photos and videos of the Inside and Outside of your structure as well as all belongings. If something is to happen during the event, be sure to photograph, video tape, and document what is occurring or has occurred.
Hint 2)
Have a way to fortify your windows (NOT YOUR DOORS), you want to leave multiple exits in the event one exit becomes blocked. You may choose a removable wedge to wedge close inward opening exterior doors.
Hint 3)
Put all important documents in a water and fire proof container.
Hint 4)
Have a minimum of 4 weeks of shelf stable food, water, paper plates, toiletries, hygienic needs, etc.. A storm, for example, may only last a couple days but you may be out of power for several weeks depending on the situation. Keep in mind you need 3 gallons of water and 3500 calories per person per day. There are many YouTube videos on “prepping” that go in depth on this subject. But, to put it, simply just imagine you were not able to go to the grocery store for 4 weeks and Amazon is not delivering. What are the things you use on a daily basis and how much of it do you use? Buy enough to cover that minimum 4 weeks.
Hint 5)
First responders may be overwhelmed, and medical assistance may not be available immediately, it is a good idea to have a robust first-aid kit and the skills to use it. We personally choose Refuge Medical for all of our First – Aid needs. It is also wise to have an minimum extra 4 weeks of any medications you require.
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