| Natural disasters such as hurricanes can cause | | | | your homeowner's insurance premium. According to |
| devastating damage. Hurricane season recently began | | | | the Insurance Information Institute (III), it is a good idea to |
| on June 1 and runs through November 30. Experts at | | | | make sure you have enough insurance to rebuild your |
| the NOAA Climate Predication Center are projecting a | | | | home and replace all of your personal belongings. You |
| 65% chance that the Atlantic hurricane season will be | | | | may also want to consult your insurance company |
| above normal this year. AIR Worldwide Corporation, a | | | | about Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage, |
| leading risk modeling company that helps clients | | | | which pays for the additional costs of living away from |
| manage the financial impact of catastrophes and | | | | home such as hotel bills and restaurant meals while |
| weather, report that hurricanes and earthquakes have | | | | your house is being repaired or rebuilt. |
| the potential to cause approximately $500 billion of | | | | Fires may affect any home, so installing smoke |
| total economic losses. Although it may not be possible | | | | detectors may be a good idea. The American Red |
| to completely protect yourself from the wrath of | | | | Cross recommends that you contact your local fire |
| mother nature, below are some precautions and | | | | department to see if they make free house calls. In |
| valuable information that may help you recoup a | | | | some cities, a fireman may visit your home to evaluate |
| portion of your loses if you are a victim of a natural | | | | your property and make fire safety suggestions. |
| disaster. | | | | Plan ahead. Visit ready, the official web site of the U.S. |
| Consider flood insurance. According to the Federal | | | | Department of Homeland Security (DHS), for a |
| Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), flooding is | | | | printable emergency supply list. In addition to items like |
| the number one natural hazard. Many people have the | | | | prescriptions and non-perishable food, USHS also |
| misconception that their homeowners insurance will | | | | recommends that you include copies of insurance |
| cover flood damage; however, it does not. In fact, | | | | polices and bank account records in a waterproof |
| FEMA indicates that only 25 percent of the 10 million | | | | container. Although you may be on a budget, you may |
| homes that lie within high flood risk zones carry flood | | | | consider keeping a small amount of cash on hand or a |
| insurance. In order to obtain flood insurance, you must | | | | small roll of quarters in case phone lines are down and |
| live in one of the 20,000 communities that participates | | | | you have to use the pay phone. For insurance |
| in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a | | | | reasons, you may also want to make a list of your |
| component of FEMA that handles flood insurance, | | | | valuables. The Insurance Information Institute also |
| floodplain management, and flood hazard mapping. For | | | | recommends consumers visit the site knowyourstuff |
| useful information about flood insurance, visit | | | | to download free home inventory software. |
| floodsmart , the official web site of NFIP. Use this | | | | Be aware of assistance programs. FEMA offers |
| resource to determine your area's flood risk, estimate | | | | many assistance programs to those affected by |
| your premium, and helpful FAQ's concerning flood | | | | disasters. Visit fema.gov and click on the "Apply for |
| insurance. | | | | Assistance" link to familiarize yourself with the |
| Prepare your home for a disaster. Depending on which | | | | procedures. Depending on the type of emergency |
| disaster is more likely to strike in your geographical | | | | situation, you may qualify for a number of their |
| area, take steps to reduce the risk of damage. For | | | | programs including Disaster Legal Services, Disaster |
| example, if you live in an area that is prone to | | | | Unemployment Assistance Program, and the |
| hurricanes, install hurricane shutters on your windows. In | | | | Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Your local |
| regions that experience earthquakes, secure objects | | | | branch of the American Red Cross may also provide |
| like bookcases that could easily fall. You may also | | | | you with basic needs such as food and clothing |
| want to consult a building inspector for suggestions on | | | | immediately following a disaster. Visit redcross for |
| home repairs that could prepare your home for a | | | | more information. |
| disaster. Certain home improvements may also lower | | | | |