THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012
With more tornadoes hitting Dallas, Texas earlier this week we are reminded yet again of the possibility of severe weather threatening our homes. Most people know the basic disaster preparations that the news and weather stations suggest: bottled water, flashlights, a radio, and maybe even a generator. What most people aren't prepared for about severe weather is the insurance claim they wil have to file after the damage is done.
Exterior property damage can sometimes be pretty obvious. Before the storm we had shutters, now we have none! The harder to file claims are for your possessions. In the immediate aftermath of a devastating storm it can be very hard to recall what you have lost. A recent survey from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners found that 59% of consumers have not made an inventory of their personal belongings. Of the consumers with an inventory only 27% have photos of their property and only 28% have a back-up copy of their inventory outside of their homes.
To help consumers with inventories of their property the NAIC has released a smart phone app for IPhones and Androids called myHome Scr.App.book. The app is free and can help you easily store and access the information after a disaster.
Another positive to establishing an inventory of your property is you will be able to determine if you need to increase certain coverages on your homeowners policies. Items such as jewelry, fine arts, fire arms, and other valuables have specific limits of coverage that you can increase if needed.
For more information on disaster preparedness contact us or visit www.insureuonline.org/disater_preparedness.htm