Residents around the Southeast can prepare now to protect their property and lives and also make the insurance claims process easier, should it be necessary.
Wind storm damage is covered under standard homeowners/renters policies. If a home is damaged by a hurricane, you will be covered for the cost of temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
Please remember that flooding is not covered under Alfa®’s standard homeowners policies, but is available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Before disaster strikes:
- Maintain copies of your household inventory and other documentation, including photos. This will assist the adjuster in assessing the value of the destroyed property.
- Take precautions if the damage requires you to leave your home. Let your agent know your temporary forwarding address and phone number.
- Write down the name, address, and telephone number of your Alfa service center/agent.
- Keep this information, along with a copy of your policy, in a safe place and make sure you have access to it if you are forced to evacuate your home.
To prepare for the storm, emergency management officials advise the following:
- If you decide to leave before the storm, leave early. Some evacuation routes can be closed up to 20 hours before the storm makes landfall. The longer you wait, the heavier the traffic will be.
- Learn the location of the nearest shelter. Remember that shelters do not allow pets, alcoholic beverages, or weapons of any kind.
- Check for loose rain gutters and down spouts. Secure and bring inside any objects like lawn furniture, potted plants, toys, garden tools, and personal watercraft. These can become projectiles during the storm and badly damage other property.
- Trim back dead limbs on trees.
- Put together a survival kit that includes the following: radio with fresh batteries, flashlight with fresh batteries, extra batteries, first-aid kit, prescriptions and medications, fire extinguisher, drinking water, bathing water, non-perishable food and a can opener. Fill up the tanks of each vehicle with gas.
- Show family members how and when to shut off water, gas, and electricity in your home at the main switches. Do not use candles or lanterns inside the house.
- Plan how your family will stay in touch during and after the storm. Remember that the telephone lines may be out of service for several days and that many people will be trying to call into and out of the storm-affected area.