About this time ten years ago, New Orleans was reeling from the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. Today, the gulf has shown amazing resilience and has rebuilt much of what was destroyed by the storm. We can learn from the strength of the people that have endured this trauma and the long road to rebuilding and recovering.
But we can also learn some very real, practical lessons from the impact of Hurricane Katrina. The single biggest take away is of course to be prepared. This seems pretty obvious, but many homeowners aren’t aware of the specific ways they should prepare for a natural disaster. A few practical steps include:
Protect Your Home – there is a lot you can do to protect your home. From replacing old windows and doors to strengthening your roof; you can actually decrease the potential damage to your home by strengthening it ahead of time. Read the full list of tips here: https://www.disastersafety.org/hurricane/
Create a Home Inventory – the majority of homeowners don’t think it’s necessary to maintain an up-to-date inventory of their home. It’s critical for a number of reasons. First, it helps to ensure you have the right amount of insurance coverage. Second, it makes life much easier when dealing with the claims process. And third, if you ever face a serious disaster it’s extremely helpful to file for financial assistance.
Consider purchasing a floor insurance policy – The scary fact is that your homeowners insurance doesn’t cover floods. Even if you have protection against water damage, there’s a difference between flood damage and water damage. Damage resulting in water coming from above (rain coming through a hole in the roof) will typically be covered under homeowners insurance but water from below (flood) is not covered by standard policies. Only floor insurance will cover that.
Have an evacuation plan – You won’t have an adequate amount of time to prepare for an evacuation in the event of a disaster. It’s critical to plan ahead. Prepare emergency supplies in a “to-go-bag” so it’s ready if or when you need it. Be sure to plan how you’re getting out of the house as well as how you’ll evacuate the area and where you might go. Make arrangements with family members or friends that are well out of the affected area to ensure your safety from the disaster.
It’s a good time to check to see if your home and your family are properly prepared for a natural disaster, big or small. It’s also important to make sure you have the right auto and homeowners insurance to make it through any type of storm. Our team is always ready to help you review your needs and make sure your policies are up to date. For more information or to speak with one of our agents, please call 877.567.3749 or 301.937.0400.