Taking Action Against Natural Disasters
Severe weather can cause irreparable financial damage to your home, and depending on where you live, the possibility of a natural disaster damaging your property can be quite high. Unfortunately, not all types of damage are covered in a typical homeowner's insurance policy. That's why it's important to consider taking preventative steps to make sure that your belongings are safe and that your home is insured.
Create a Home Inventory
A detailed home inventory is one of the best ways to make sure your belongings are accounted for so that they may be replaced, if need be, following a natural disaster. Creating an inventory can:
- Provide an accurate idea of how much your homeowner's or disaster insurance should cover
- Help in proving losses to the IRS when filing your income taxes
When conducting a home inventory, you should include everything, not just valuable items. Replacing many less-expensive belongings can still add up to a large overall cost.
It's a good idea to have your home inventory stored off-site so that it can remain in tact should your home endure weather damage. Consider securing your inventory in a safe deposit box at your local bank.
Upgrade Your Coverage
Once you've established your level of natural disaster risk, you may wish to make additions to your current insurance plan or to purchase a specific disaster policy, such as flood insurance. Speak with your insurance agent to find out what additional coverage is available, and how much coverage would best benefit you in your living situation.
If you would like more information on how to protect your home against weather damage, visit our Securing Your Home Against Natural Disasters page. You can also visit these helpful resources for more information and to evaluate your disaster risk further.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (www.fema.gov)
FEMA is the branch of the United States Department of Homeland Security that supports U.S. citizens in the event of a natural disaster. FEMA's homepage offers useful information on the types of disasters you may face, tips for planning ahead, and HAZUS-MH disaster risk-assessment software.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) (www.floodsmart.gov)
NFIP is the congressionally appointed flood insurance program, run by FEMA. In addition to offering flood insurance through over 90 private insurers, the NFIP offers tools and resources for flood-risk assessments.
United Policyholders (UP) (www.unitedpolicyholders.org)
UP is a nonprofit organization that has been offering educational resources and insurance advice to victims of natural disasters and those considering natural disaster insurance since 1991.