Basic Preparation Tips Will Reduce Flood Insurance Claims

Although floods can happen at any time, and for any number of reasons including failed dams, new construction and even droughts, there is no better time to seriously assess your flood insurance coverage than hurricane season. Most flood insurance policies take at least 30 days to kick in so you’ll want to be sure that you get yours in place right away. Once in place, you still will want to take safeguards to insure you prevent the need to make any claims. Following these basic preparation tips will reduce flood insurance claims.

The first thing to do is to prepare your property for a flood. Even just a few inches of water can cause thousands of dollars in damage. So, by taking just a few minutes to prepare your property you can greatly reduce the damage that would be done by a flood. Simple things like clearing your gutters, and keeping trees and bushes trimmed go a long way against wind and running waters. Another important, yet overlooked tip is placing your furnace, water heater, washer and dryer up on blocks at least 12 inches above the flood levels.

Creating a list of important personal possessions and documents, and placing them in a safe location that will remain dry during a flood is the next important step to take. Things like insurance policies and agents contact information, household and business related documents, financial records, birth certificates, marriage licenses and major purchase receipts are the kind of things you will be happy to have safe when they are needed.

While you have taken the very important steps to secure your property and possessions, the most important thing to protect is your family. Creating an emergency family plan is the key to staying safe and calm during a natural disaster. Make sure if you have small children they understand when to call 911 and how to do it. Keeping all emergency numbers next the phone also helps keep any panic to a minimum.  Keeping first aid items and water well stocked in the home reduces the need to leave the house during unsafe conditions. If it is necessary to leave the home during a disaster, work out an emergency route and meeting place with your family.

It does not take much time, money or effort to put these safeguards in place. You will be grateful that you did if the unfortunate time comes that your home and family face a disaster. But following these basic preparation tips will reduce flood insurance claims, and keep your home as untouched by disaster as possible.