Hurricane Safety and Storm Damage Insurance Checklist
Before A Hurricane
Alert police and fire departments to special conditions such as individuals with disabilities who might require evacuation assistance.
Plan a family evacuation and relocation strategy.
Learn how to shut off gas, electricity and water and how to board up vulnerable areas such as doors and windows.
Prepare an inventory list of personal valuables, household furnishings and equipment so losses can be itemized.
Review your insurance policy to ensure its coverage is current with rising construction costs. Make sure there is enough coverage for furnishings and other items purchased since the policy was first issued.
Keep the insurance policy in a safe place where it can be easily retrieved after a disaster. Make a quick reference list containing the name of your insurance company, the name and phone number of your insurance agent and your policy numbers.
As a Hurricane Approaches
Stock up on nonperishable foods and bottled water. Make sure your first aid kit and pharmaceutical needs are also well stocked.
Make sure you have enough batteries for transistor radios and flashlights and an extra supply of fuel for portable grills and stoves.
Have on hand the hammers, nails, tape and boards necessary to protect your property from a storm or make necessary emergency repairs afterwards.
Fill Motor vehicles with gas in the event supplies may be unavailable or rationed after the storm.
Board up storefronts, doors, windows and other vulnerable places that can be damaged.
Have durable clothing on hand.
Secure or bring inside all tools, lawn furniture and other items that could become projectiles and/or be destroyed by the storm.
After A Hurricane
Contact your independent insurance agent as quickly as possible and explain your losses. If you have relocated temporarily, be sure your agent knows how to reach you.
Make only those repairs necessary to prevent further damage to your home or business. This must include covering breaks in roofs, walls or windows with plywood, canvas or another waterproof material. Do not have permanent repairs made without first consulting your insurance agent.
Keep receipts for all expenditures incurred in repairing damages or estimating the extent of damages.
Wait for an insurance adjuster to arrive to appraise damages. After a hurricane, insurance companies schedule adjusters so that the most serious losses get priority treatment.
Prepare a detailed inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property. Give the inventory list to your adjuster after making a copy for your own records. This list should be as complete as possible and should include: a descrition of each item (and quantity if more than one); the date of purchase or approximate age of the item; and the estimated cost of replacing the item.
Take photographs of damaged areas of your home or business. These will help with the presentation of your claim and assist the adjuster as the claim is investigated.
Flood Damage
Notify your independent insurance agent. He or she will assign the loss immediately to a qualified adjuster, who will call on you as soon as possible to inspect the damage. It will take time to process the huge number of claims, so please be patient. If yours is a serious case, tell your agent you need priority help.
Do whatever you can to avoid further damage and to make temporary (but not permanent) repairs. Keep records of expenses incurred in preventing further damage.
More information about flooding before and after a storm can be found on our homeowners insurance page.
Flood Emergency Tips
PLEASE NOTE: Flood insurance can only be provided in a separate insurance policy written by your agent through the National Flood Insurance Program. It is not included in regular insurance policies!
