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 No one thinks they’ll be a
victim of a natural disaster, yet the reality is that some sort of natural
occurrence that could jeopardize your home affects every area of the
country. Though you can’t predict Mother Nature, you can make sure that
you are adequately protected if disaster strikes. The sad truth is that
many people find out too late that they aren’t covered for certain things.Check Out Your Policy Your first step is to read your homeowner’s policy or call your agent. Find out exactly what you’re covered for, what the deductible is and what the limit is. Then you can make an educated decision on whether or not to upgrade. Earthquakes If you’re in an Earthquake prone area, take some minimal steps to protect your property. Properly anchor shelves and cabinets. Strap in your hot-water heater. And don’t place heavy objects over your bed. These few small adjustments could save you thousands and possibly your life. Floods Some areas only have floods every hundred years or more. Unfortunately, you may be in that time frame. If you are in a flood |
plain, lenders
are required by federal law to make sure you have flood insurance.
However, some areas aren’t in flood plains and they still flood. Ask your
Realtor whether your area is prone to flooding, no matter how remote the
possibility. To prepare your home, make sure your sump pumps and drains
are in good working order. Tornados There are very few areas of the country where a tornado won’t hit. You typically don’t know they’re coming, and they are almost impossible to prepare for. Just make sure your insurance covers this natural disaster. Hurricanes The nice thing about hurricanes is that you typically get advanced warning that they’re coming. This means you can board up your windows, secure your doors and get out of town. Hopefully you’ll just get some hard rain. But if you live on or near the coastal areas, check your policy for coverage on damage caused by hurricanes. If you’re looking to upgrade your policy and you need a reliable insurance professional, please do not hesitate to call me for a referral. |
