The past few years have been relatively quiet as far as hurricanes and tropical storms hitting Maryland. But over the past decade, Maryland and our Mid-Atlantic neighbors have been hit hard by hurricanes with Isabel, Irene, Sandy, etc. So hurricane preparedness should be an ongoing process and not just something to do the week of the hurricane.
It’s seems like with each storm our area has been getting hit harder and harder. Don’t you agree?
Isn’t time we’re due?
Unfortunately there is no way to prevent a hurricane from hitting your house. However, there are steps you can take to keep you and your loved ones safe in this time of emergency. Hurricanes cause violent damage to homes and automobiles. There are many concerns with hurricanes but one of our biggest concerns is flooding. The rain and high tides hurricane cause can destroy a home. What a lot of people think is that a flood would be covered under their home owner’s insurance.
But that’s not the case. You would need a separate flood policy. In the event you home was damaged or destroyed by flooding from a hurricane, if you don’t have flood insurance you would be paying for your new house or the repairs all out of pocket. Flood insurance requires a 30 day wait period as well so don’t think you can get it when there is a category 3 hurricane working its way up the coast. Flood insurance is the only way you can fully protect yourself and move on after the storm. For more information visit our flood insurance page and get your free quote.
Hurricane Preparedness Before a Hurricane
- Hurricane Preparedness: Prepare an emergency kit and make a family communications plan. (Click Here)
- Know your surroundings, the elevation level of your property, and whether the land is prone to flood. Also Identify levees and dams that may pose a hazard.
- Learn evacuation routes.
- If in a high-rise building, be prepared to take shelter on or below the 10th floor.
Important Documents to Gather and Have Available
- Insurance Documents – Home Insurance, Auto Insurance, etc.
- Medical Documents and Insurance ID cards
- Bank Account Numbers
- Social Security Cards
- Proper Identification – Licenses and Passports.
Hurricane Preparedness During and After the Storm
- Contact your insurance company immediately after sustaining property or automotive damage.
- When safe to do so, protect the property from any further damage by making all necessary temporary/emergency repairs, contact a restoration company, and keep records for your insurance carrier for reimbursement.
- Take photographs or video of all damage and make sure if you have to remove any damaged items from your premises that you store them somewhere safe for your adjuster to see.
- As soon as you are able, prepare a detailed inventory listing of all damaged or destroyed property. You should include a description and quantity of the item, date of purchase, original cost, and estimated replacement cost for the item.
Other useful links:
Hurricanes cause heavy rains that can cause extensive flood damage in coastal and inland areas. Everyone is at risk and should consider flood insurance protection. Flood insurance is the only way to financially protect your property or business from flood damage. To learn more about your flooding risk and how to protect yourself and your business, visit the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (NFIP) Web site, www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419.