BEFORE THE EARTHQUAKE

AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE

BEFORE THE FIRE

AFTER THE FIRE

BEFORE THE FLOOD

evacuation

Plan an evacuation route.

Develop a plan for you and your family to communicate if you are separated when a flood comes.

Protecting Your Property

If you are moving into a new home, apartment or business location, make sure you have adequate insurance coverage. Your bank, local officials or insurance representative can inform you if your location is at risk for flooding.

Flood insurance is excluded under homeowners and renters policies, but it is covered under the comprehensive section of standard automobile insurance policies and some coverage is available for floods under special commercial insurance policies.

Flood insurance for homeowners, renters and businesses is administered through the federal government and can be purchased from an insurance agent or company under contract with the Federal Insurance Administration (FIA), part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Flood insurance is only available where the local government has adopted adequate flood plain management regulations under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Most communities participate in the program.

Flood insurance covers direct physical losses by flood and losses resulting from flood-related erosion caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels and accompanies a sever storm, flash flood, abnormal tide surge or a similar situation which results in flooding. Flood insurance also may cover mudslides.

Coverage for the structure and contents of the home are sold separately. Buildings are covered for replacement cost but content coverage is available on an actual cash value basis only.

Maintain a supply of emergency materials: plywood, plastic sheeting, nails, hammer, shovels, sandbags, flashlight, batteries, battery-operated radio, first aid kit, medication, sturdy shoes, emergency food and water, cash and credit cards.

Install a system to prevent flood water from backing up in sewer drains.

Locate switches to turn off gas, electricity and water. Make an inventory of your possessions and store it off the premises. If your stuff is damaged, this list will help facilitate the claim filing process.

Protecting You and Your Family

Do not enter your home if flood waters are over the first floor.

Flood waters may bring poisonous snakes into your home. When walking through your home wear thick shoes and be alert.

Do not consume food that has come in contact with flood waters.

Beware of fire hazards such as broken gas lines, flooded electrical circuits and flammable or explosive materials coming from upstream.

Protecting Your Property

Inspect your home for damage, especially for cracks in foundations.

If your basement has flooded, do not pump it out all at once. Remove about one-third of the water per day.

The wet ground surrounding your basement may cause the floors to buckle and the walls to collapse.

Water may have weakened walls and ceilings. Be on the look out for falling walls and plaster.

Make temporary repairs. Keep all receipts done for work on your property. Most insurance companies cover reasonable expenses.

Notify your insurance agent or company representative as soon as possible. If you have vacated the premises, make sure your representative knows where to contact you.

Take pictures of damaged property and keep notes. Use pictures and inventory lists to help your insurance agent and adjuster assess the damages.

Don't be rushed into signing repair contracts. Deal with reputable contractors. If you're unsure about a contractor's credentials, contact your claims adjuster, Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce for referrals. Make sure the contractor you hire is experienced in repair work - not just new construction. Be sure of payment terms and consult your agent or adjuster before you sign any contracts.

BEFORE THE HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS

Protecting You and Your Family

Remember that a hurricane watch means that a hurricane may occur within the next 24 to 36 hours. A hurricane warning means that a hurricane will probably strike your area within the next 24 hours. When a hurricane watch is issued, it may be too late to take certain precautions. Plan your escape route early in case you need to evacuate.

Stock up on drinking water, canned goods, non-perishable foods and a can opener. If you need any medicine on a regular basis, make sure to have an adequate supply.

Make sure your portable radio is working. This may be your only link with the outside world and will keep you advised of the storm's path. Stock up on extra batteries.

A cell phone with a charged battery may be helpful in case of an emergency.

Maintain a supply of flashlights, candles and kerosene lamps. Store matches in waterproof containers and have adequate lantern fuel.

Protecting Your Property

Make an inventory of your possessions. Pictures or videotape recording may also be helpful for insurance purposes. Make sure to store the inventory and the pictures/videotapes off the premises, to help facilitate the claim filing process if your stuff is damaged.

Review your insurance coverage to make sure it is adequate. Hurricane damage is covered under a standard homeowners policy, but it is very important to insure your home and belongings to their full replacement cost. Flooding is generally not covered under standard homeowners policies, so ask your agent about flood insurance.

If you rent a house or apartment, talk to your agent about purchasing a renters insurance policy if you don't already have one.

Board up windows, protect them with storm shutters or place tape from one corner diagonally to another. Secure all outdoor objects that could be blown around by storm winds.

Move your boat to a safer place, or at least strengthen the mooring lines.

If you live in a mobile home, check tie-downs and leave immediately for a safer place.

Protecting You and Your Family

Check people around you for injuries. Begin first aid or seek help, if necessary.

When you go outside, watch out for downed power lines.

Beware of fire hazards such as broken gas lines and flooded electrical circuits.

Protecting Your Property

Make temporary repairs. Keep all receipts for work done on your property. Most insurance companies cover reasonable expenses.

Notify your insurance agent or company representative as soon as possible. If you have vacated the premises, make sure your representative knows where to contact you.

Take pictures of damaged property and keep notes.

Use pictures and inventory lists to help your insurance agent and adjuster assess the damages.

Don't be rushed into signing repair contracts. Deal with reputable contractors. If you're unsure about a contractor's credentials, contact your claims adjuster, Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce for referrals. Make sure the contractor you hire is experienced in repair work - not just new construction.

Be sure of payment terms and consult your agent or adjuster before you sign any contracts.

Protecting You and Your Family

warnings/watches

Remember that a watch means that weather conditions are favorable for a tornado and a warning means one has been spotted in your area.

Learn the warning signals used in your community. If a siren sounds, that means stay inside and take cover.

Consider setting up a neighborhood information program through a club, church group or community group. Hold briefings on safety procedures as tornado season approaches. Set up a system to make sure senior citizens and shut-ins are alerted if there is a tornado warning.

seeking shelter

Do not try to outrun a tornado. Instead, stay calm and seek shelter.

At home or work seek shelter in the central part of the building, away from windows. Basements are the best havens. If this is not an option, take cover in the bathroom, closet, interior hallway or under a heavy piece of furniture.

If you are in your car, abandon your vehicle and seek shelter in the nearest ditch if no other facility is available.

People living in mobile homes should vacate the premises and seek shelter elsewhere.

Protecting Your Property

If a tornado watch has been issued, move cars inside a garage or carport to avoid damage from hail that often accompanies tornadoes. Keep your car keys and house keys with you.

If time permits, move lawn furniture and yard equipment such as lawnmowers inside. Otherwise they could become damaged or act as dangerous projectiles causing serious injury or damage.

Make an inventory of your possessions and store it off the premises. If your stuff is damaged, this list will help facilitate the claim filing process.

Protecting You and Your Family

Keep calm. Stay in your shelter until after the storm is over.

Check people around you for injuries. Begin first aid or seek help if necessary.

When you go outside, watch out for downed power lines.

Protecting Your Property

Make temporary repairs to prevent further loss from rain, wind or looting. These costs are reimbursable under most policies so keep the receipts.

Keep receipts for additional living expenses such as temporary housing. These costs are reimbursable under most policies so keep the receipts.

Make a detailed list of all damaged or destroyed personal property. Don't throw out damaged property until you have met with an adjuster.

Check utility lines and appliances for damage. If you smell gas, open the windows and turn off the main valve. Don't turn on lights or appliances until the gas has dissipated. If electric wires are shorting out, turn off the power.

Don't be rushed into signing repair contracts. Deal with reputable contractors. If you're unsure about a contractor's credentials, contact your claims adjuster, Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce for referrals. Make sure the contractor you hire is experienced in repair work - not just new construction.

Be sure of payment terms and consult your agent or adjuster before you sign any contracts.

Notify your insurance agent or company representative as soon as possible. If you have vacated the premises, make sure your representative knows where to contact you.