| EARTHQUAKES
BEFORE THE EARTHQUAKE
Protecting You and Your Family
- Be sure that all family members
know how to turn off utilities (gas, water and electricity) in
an emergency.
- Make sure every family member
knows where safe spots are in each room, such as under sturdy
tables or desks or in strong doorways.
- Identify danger zones in each
room, such as windows, bookshelves and furniture, that may
fall over and cause injuries.
Protecting Your Property
- Check to see that your house has
been properly "tied" to the foundation. Extensive
damage is often done to homes that shift and slide on the
foundation during an earthquake. A contractor can advise you
about this and suggest whether lateral bracing of the house
walls is necessary.
- Be sure that water heaters and
other gas appliances are properly bolted down or supported on
the floor or wall.
- Put the heavier, breakable items
on lower shelves.
- Search the ceiling and
foundation for deep plaster cracks. Make the necessary repairs
if there are signs of structural defects.
- 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.
AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE
Protecting You and Your Family
- First, check to be sure that no
one in the family is injured. Start first aid immediately if
injuries are found.
- Be prepared for aftershocks
which are normal following an earthquake.
- Stay away from beach areas
because of the danger of possible tsunamis (large seismic sea
waves).
Protecting Your Property
- Check utility lines and
appliances for damage. If you smell gas, open the windows and
turn off the main gas valve. Do not turn on electric lights or
appliances until the gas has dissipated. They can cause sparks
that might ignite the gas. If electric wires are shorting out,
turn off the power.
- Clean up flammable liquids
inside buildings.
- Check to see that sewage lines
are intact and working before permitting continued flushing of
toilets.
- Check chimneys for cracks or
other damage before using them.
- 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.
Claim
Filing After a Disaster
FIRES
BEFORE THE FIRE
Protecting You and Your Family
- Install smoke detectors and
familiarize your family with the sound of the alarm.
- Plan an escape route from your
home. If possible, every room should have two escape routes.
- Remember that smoke and heat
rise. When you encounter smoke, crawl on the floor where the
air is cleaner.
Protecting Your Property
- Make sure your roof is
constructed with fire resistant materials.
- Mark the location of your home
clearly so that firefighters can easily locate your home.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in your
home.
- Landscape your yard with
fire-resistant plants. Check with your local fire department
or landscapers to determine which plants are safe. Clear all
other vegetation that is at least 30 yards from your home.
- 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.
AFTER THE FIRE
Protecting You and Your Family
- Plan a safe rendezvous point for
you and your family in the event that you are separated during
a fire.
- Do not return to a your home
until officials declare that there is no more threat of fire.
Protecting Your Property
- 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.
- Make a detailed list of all
damaged or destroyed personal property. Don't throw out
damaged property until you have met with an adjuster. Use
pictures and inventory lists to help your insurance agent and
adjuster assess the damages.
- Keep receipts for living
expenses beyond your normal ones and for temporary repair
costs so you can seek insurance reimbursement.
- 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.
Claim
Filing After a Disaster
FLOODS
BEFORE THE FLOOD
Protecting You and Your Family
watches/warnings
- Flood watches are issued when
rain is heavy enough to cause rivers to over flow.
- Flood warnings describe the
severity of the situation and indicate when and where the
flood will begin.
- Flash flood watches are issued
when heavy rain is occurring or is expected to occur.
- Flash flood warnings are issued
when flooding is occurring suddenly. In the event of flash
flooding, move immediately to high ground.
- Educate you and your family
about your community's flood warnings.
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.
AFTER THE FLOOD
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.
Claim
Filing After a Disaster
HURRICANES
BEFORE THE STORM
Protecting You and Your Family
- Remember that a hurricane watch
means that conditions are favorable for a hurricane. A
hurricane warning means that a hurricane will probably strike
your area within the next 24 hours. When a hurricane watch is
issued, plan your escape route in case you need to evacuate.
- Stock up on drinking water,
canned goods, non-perishable foods and a can opener. If you
need medicine of any kind, make sure you 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.
- Maintain a supply of
flashlights, candles or kerosene lamps. Store matches in
waterproof containers and have adequate lantern fuel.
Protecting Your Property
- Take pictures and make an
inventory of your personal possessions. Store the information
off the premises, i.e. at the office, in a safe deposit box.
- Review your insurance coverage
to make sure it is adequate. Hurricane damage is covered under
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.
- 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.
AFTER THE STORM
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.
Claim
Filing After a Disaster
TORNADOES
BEFORE A TORNADO STRIKES
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.
AFTER A TORNADO STRIKES
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.
|
