The Storm of 2016, Houston Texas

The recent storms in the Greater Houston area this week have caused untold damage, hardship, struggles, inconvenience and loss. That goes without saying. Some areas are still experiencing accelerated flooding and damage due to waterways absorbing water from upstream. The daily rains have also not helped.

Flooding is the major risk factor for most of this, and is covered by a flood policy for a residence. It may also be covered by an auto policy for your auto if you have comprehensive coverage. Here is some helpful information to use and pass on.

 

Carriers are aware of the catastrophe incident and are responding.  Safeco, Travelers, Progressive and others have activated a catastrophe response plan that brings additional people and resources into the area to address the needs of folks who are impacted by the storm this week.

Rental car companies are moving inventory of vehicles into the area to accommodate the expected surge in demand for rental vehicles. This will specifically be available to claims related requests.

Here are some things you should do to help yourself and your family, and protect your property –

·         Protect your loved ones first

·         Do your best to protect property, without putting yourself in harms way.

·         If possible and safe, take pictures. This will help document damage that might not be the same when an adjuster shows up.

·         Do your best to prevent further damage, again without exposing yourself to injury or danger.

·         Don’t drive into flooded areas. Avoid driving at night in unfamiliar areas

See the following links for more information –

http://www.progressiveresponds.com/resources/flood-safety-tips/

https://www.travelers.com/resources/weather/emergency-preparedness/natural-disaster-recovery-plan.aspx

Lastly, we have had some inquiries about getting flood insurance. It is generally a good idea. As we saw on Monday, if it rains hard enough long enough, anywhere can flood. Flood insurance generally has a 30 day waiting period before the policy goes in force. Homeowner policies do not cover flood. Please contact us if you are interested. It won’t help for this week, but can help you in the future.

 

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Do you have a place for safekeeping?

Securing Important Documents and Treasures
 

from our friends at Safeco

Spring has arrived, which means it’s time to clean the cobwebs out of the corners, organize the closets and so forth. While you’re at it, don’t forget to revisit the important documents and other items you have in your home safe and in that safe-deposit box at the bank.

What documents do you need to keep? What can your shred? Are your valuable items properly secured?

Wait, what’s that? You don’t have a home safe? Or a safe-deposit box? Well, let’s look at why you may want to get one – or both – and what to keep inside.

Home Safes

Oftentimes these are well suited for safeguarding important documents and valuable things you access somewhat regularly, such as jewelry or watches. Keep in mind that while residential safes help protect against fire and theft, they often aren’t as robust as commercial models. For the best protection in a home safe, select a model that is heavy enough that a burglar couldn’t make off with it, and consider bolting it to the floor. Here are some of the things you may want to keep inside:

• Insurance policies and your agent’s contact information.
   
• Passports, original birth certificates and Social Security cards.
   
• Photocopies of passports, credit cards and driver’s licenses, in case they are ever lost or stolen from your purse or wallet.
   
• Tax documents and tax returns, from the past six to seven years.
   
• A list of your family’s medical information and contacts, including doctors, pharmacies and medications.
   
• Investment and banking documents, including billing contact information, as well as emergency cash.
   
• Heirloom and other valuable jewelry and watches.
   
• Wills and other important legal documents, including wills that list you as the executor.
   
• Computer backup disks or drives, or other small electronics you don’t use regularly.
   
• Safe-deposit box keys.

Safe-Deposit Boxes

Speaking of safe-deposit boxes, are they an old-fashioned notion or something that’s worth your while? To answer that question, U.S. News & World Report recommends gathering everything you might want to store in a safe-deposit box and then determining whether you feel secure enough storing it all at home.

If not, a safe-deposit box may be a better, more secure option. A bank is more heavily guarded that your home, after all – against theft, fire and other disasters.

If you do decide on a safe-deposit box, here’s what you might want to keep in it:

• Originals of key documents, such as property deeds, car titles, etc.
   
• Valuable collections or family keepsakes that you don’t access very often.
   
• Pictures or videos from your home inventory to use for insurance purposes.

If not, store these items in your home safe. And, here’s what NOT to put in a safe-deposit box:

• Anything you may need to access quickly, such as passports, powers of attorney documents, etc.
   
• Cash. Not only will your money not earn interest in a safe-deposit box, it won’t be protected by FDIC insurance, either.

Remember, putting something in your home safe or a safe-deposit box is more secure than stashing it in your sock drawer, but it doesn’t guarantee anything, either. So, think about having document backups, as well as insurance for your valuable items.

After all, if something is valuable enough to lock up, isn’t it valuable enough to insure, too? Talk to your independent agent about your personal property coverage and about scheduling any high-value items, especially expensive jewelry and collectibles, separately.

 

Spring Clean Your Insurance Policies, Too

Could your insurance policies use a little sprucing up this spring as well? After a remodel or addition to your home, a significant investment in new personal property or an upgrade to your wheels, check in with yourindependent insurance agent to be sure you have the coverage you want. Our blog on annual insurance reviews offers some helpful guidance.