With Tropical Storm Colin on the horizon taking aim on the Florida Panhandle and portions of the Southeast, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) is urging property owners to take precautions to protect themselves and their belongings.
“This system could bring major flooding to several areas along the coast and serves as a good reminder for all residents to get prepared now.” said Logan McFaddin, PCI’s Florida regional manager. The impact of Collin is already starting to be felt in the Tallahassee area with heavy rains.”
In addition to making sure you have your emergency kit and plan ready, it is also a good idea to take precautionary measures to prevent damage to vulnerable property. “Insurers and catastrophe teams will be ready to respond on scene should Tropical Storm Colin create significant damage. PCI and other industry groups are constantly working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security, to assist homeowners and business owners prepare for disasters.”
Flooding from storm surge during hurricanes and tropical storms can be especially dangerous for residents along the coast. “While many cities are preparing for flooding and heavy rains in the next few hours, there are things as homeowners you can do to get prepared for rising waters as well. Make sure you review your insurance policy, take a home inventory of what’s inside your home and keep your insurer or agents number handy,” said McFaddin.
“Flood insurance is not covered by your standard homeowners policy, and you may want to purchase additional coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program. Keep in mind that there’s typically a 30-day waiting period between the date of purchase and when flood coverage takes effect,” said McFaddin.
Tropical Storm Colin Precautions:
- Review your property insurance policy, especially the “declarations” page, and check whether your policy pays replacement costs, or actual cash value for a covered loss.
- Inventory your household items, and photograph or videotape them for further documentation. Keep this information and your insurance policies in a safe place.
- Keep the name, address and claims-reporting telephone number of your insurer and agent in a safe and easily accessible place.
- Protect your property by covering all windows with plywood or shutters, moving vehicles into the garage when possible and placing grills and patio furniture indoors.
- Keep all receipts for any repairs so your insurance company can reimburse you.
- Check with your insurance adjuster for referrals to professional restoration, cleaning and salvage companies if additional assistance is needed.
- Make sure watercraft are stored in a secure area, like a garage or covered boat dock. A typical homeowner’s policy will cover property damage in limited instances for small watercraft, and separate boat policies will provide broader, more extensive property and liability protection for larger, faster boat, yachts, jet skis and wave runners. Additional information can be found onPCI’s Hurricane Headquarters Page.
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