Hurricane Ian: Be Prepared
With Hurricane Ian nearing the Gulf Coast, and the latest models from the National Hurricane Center predicting the storm to reach South Carolina early Friday morning, it is important to spend some time preparing for the possibility of hurricane-force winds and the rain and storm surge that can accompany a hurricane or tropical storm.
Download this checklist from the American Red Cross for a guide to how to prepare whether you evacuate or stay in your home.
Once you know that you have the supplies you need and a plan for the storm, there is one more thing you should do. Take a look at your insurance policy. The time to figure out what to do in the event that you do have damage is before the storm arrives. You should answer the following questions:
Do I know what insurance company my homeowner's policy is with?
What is my deductible?
What is my policy number?
Do I have flood insurance?
How do I file a claim if I have damage?
Who is my local agent?
If you don't know the answer to some, or all, of these questions, the best thing to do is call your insurance agent. They can give you all of this information and also help you file a claim if you do have damage from a storm. If you do not have a local agent, then you will need to refer to a copy of your homeowners policy and check the insurance company's website for the best way to file a claim.
Hopefully, you will never need to file a claim, but if you do, you'll be glad you already know exactly what to do and who to call if your home is damaged, or even destroyed by a hurricane.