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The Homeowner’s Guide to Natural Disaster Preparation

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Adjusters International Corporate

It’s National Preparedness Month, and we want to celebrate by sharing tips with homeowners to make sure you’re prepared when natural disasters occur.

While it’s difficult to prepare for a disaster, there are steps you can take to help ensure your friends, family and property are safe—and that your financial future is secure.

 

Before a disaster strikes

Make sure you have an emergency safety kit available in your home. Your kit should include some or all of the following supplies: 

  • Food: at least three days worth of food for you and your family
  • Water: one gallon per person
  • First aid kit
  • Cell phones and chargers
  • Blankets/sleeping bags
  • Clothing
  • Pet food and supplies
  • Can opener
  • Flashlights and extra batteries
  • Cash
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Picnic supplies

  

Consider preparing your family for the following:

  1. How will you receive emergency alerts and warnings?: Consider wireless emergency alerts, the emergency alert system and the NOAA weather radio
  2. What is my shelter plan?: Will you be staying in your home or going to a mass shelter?
  3. What is my evacuation route?: Follow the community’s evacuation plan. Make sure wherever you plan to stay, you have a place to put your pets.
  4. What is my family communication plan?: Make sure you have a plan set in place with your family and you communicate with family members where you are going.

 

During a disaster

Follow the plans – You’ve practiced for the plan, now put it into action! Follow the processes put in place to make sure you and your family are safe and your home stays as damage-free as possible.

Evacuate – Follow the evacuation plan and only evacuate if you are told to do so by government and community officials.

 

In the wake of a disaster

Call your insurance company – Create a claim with your insurance company. The quicker you start the claims process, the quicker you can get your business back up and running.

Call a public adjuster – A very crucial second step—and one that most people fail to make—is to call a public adjuster. This is an insurance professional licensed to exclusively represent you during a property damage claim. A public adjuster advocates for the maximum settlement on your behalf. And at Adjusters International, we walk you through your insurance policy to make sure you understand exactly what your insurance covers and what it does not. We’ll also communicate and work with the insurance company so you don’t have to.

When it comes to natural disasters, a little bit of preparation can go a long way. Being armed with knowledge can make all the difference to your home, your family and your financial future. And remember, if your property does get damaged, be sure to reach out to Adjusters International to get the most from your insurance claim.