Don't Get Soaked:
Prepare Your Home for Floods
Winter storms ravaging the West Coast from late December through early January caused an estimated $280 million in insured property damage to personal and commercial property, according to the Property Claim Services (PCS).
As a result, PCS estimates the storms will result in more than 180,000 claims. That's a lot of water damage.
According to the Independent Insurance Agents of America, floods and flash floods are the most common natural disaster, occurring in all 50 states. In order to avoid devastation and destruction to personal belongings, you need to take certain precautionary measures.
Before a flood:
Make a written, photographic and/or videotaped inventory of household possessions and property, and store in a safe place with insurance policies and other valuables.
Assemble a disaster supply kit including battery-operated radio and flashlight, three days of non-perishable food and water (one gallon of water per person, per day), first aid kit, blankets, personal hygiene items, non-electric can opener, utility knife, toilet paper, soap, and important family documents.
Take a first aid class from your local American Red Cross chapter.
After a flood:
Call your insurance agent as soon as possible to file the claim.
Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage. Keep all receipts.
Delay permanent repairs until your insurer approves reimbursement.
Prepare an inventory and save remnants of all damaged or destroyed property for your insurance adjuster.
Meet with your adjuster before signing anything with your contractors, lawyers, or public adjusters.
Let your car dry out before starting the vehicle.
For a free, comprehensive booklet regarding advice after a flood, call your local Red Cross branch or write to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA Publications, P.O. Box 70274, Washington, D.C. 20024, and request "Repairing Your Flooded Home."
Call us at (626) 839-6061 for information on flood insurance, or to review your flood policy to determine whether any changes in coverage are needed.
We are pleased to provide this "Bulletin" as a service to you. While this information was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, its accuracy is not guaranteed. It does not change or alter insurance contracts or coverages.
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