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Blizzard/Winter Storms
Hurricane
Flood
Tornado
Fire
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Blizzard/Winter Storm Disaster Tips

Did you know:

Winter storms bring ice, snow, cold temperatures and often dangerous driving conditions.

Two of the 10 most costly insured catastrophes in U.S. history were winter storms.

In December 1983, wind, snow and freezing in 41 states caused estimated losses of $880 million.

The March Blizzard of 1993 was the fifth most costly insured catastrophe in the United States, causing an estimated $1.75 billion in damage.

Before a Winter Storm:

Make a written or videotaped inventory of household possessions/property and store in a safe place with insurance policies, documents and other valuables.

Keep a supply of extra blankets.

Make sure each member of your household has adequate winter clothing: at least a warm coat, mittens or gloves, a hat and water-resistant boots.

Assemble a disaster supplies kit including: first aid kit; essential medications; portable, battery-powered radio; flashlight; extra batteries; canned food; non-electric can opener; and bottled water.

Winterize your car before winter storm season begins.

Keep your car's gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing.

Take a first aid class from your local Red Cross chapter to learn how to treat frostbite, hypothermia and exposure to the cold.

After a Winter Storm:

Call your independent insurance agent as soon as possible.

Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage.

Delay permanent repairs until your insurer approves reimbursement.

Get any necessary construction permits from your community.

Keep all receipts.

Prepare an inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property.

Take photos of damaged areas.

Save remnants of damaged or destroyed property for your insurance company adjuster.

Meet with your adjuster first, before signing anything with contractors, lawyers or public adjusters.

Protecting yourself is easy!
Flood insurance picks up where your homeowners insurance leaves off. It is not expensive, especially when compared with the monthly payments for disaster loans, and it's easy to get--just call your insurance agent.

What to ask your insurance agent?

Do I have flood insurance?

How much flood insurance should I purchase?

How much contents coverage should I purchase?

Do I qualify for a preferred risk policy?

Can I finance my premiums?

Blizzard/Winter Storms
Hurricane
Flood
Tornado
Fire
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Hurricane Disaster Tips

Before a Hurricane:

Make a written or videotaped inventory of household possessions/property and store in a safe place with insurance policies, documents and other valuables.

Identify evacuation locations.

Keep telephone numbers and road maps handy.

Listen to local radio and TV stations for evacuation instructions.

Take a first aid class from your local Red Cross chapter.

Assemble a disaster supplies kit including: first aid kit, essential medications, canned food, can opener, at least three gallons of water per person, protective clothing, rainwear, sleeping bags, battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, special items for infants, the elderly and the disabled and written instructions for how to turn off gas and water if so advised.

Install hurricane shutters or precut 3/4" marine plywood for each window of your home.

Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased or damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through.

Fill your car's gas tank.

Recheck manufactured home tie-downs.

Be alert for tornadoes.

Stay away from flood waters.

After a Hurricane:

Call your independent insurance agent as soon as possible.

Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage.

Delay permanent repairs until your insurer approves reimbursement.

Get any necessary construction permits from your community.

Keep all receipts.

Prepare an inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property.

Take photos of damaged areas.

Save remnants of damaged or destroyed property for your insurance company adjuster.

Meet with your adjuster first, before signing anything with contractors, lawyers or public adjusters.

Blizzard/Winter Storms
Hurricane
Flood
Tornado
Fire
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Flood Disaster Tips

Did you know...

Floods and flash floods are the most common natural disaster, occurring in all 50 states.

Floods cause devastating damage to buildings and personal belongings.

One in three flood insurance claims are generated outside areas considered "flood-prone."

Homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage.

Before a flood:

Make a written, photographic and/or videotaped inventory of household possessions and property, and store it in a safe place (e.g. a relative's home or safe deposit box) with insurance policies, documents and other valuables.

Take a first aid class from your local American Red Cross chapter.

Assemble a disaster supplies kit that includes a first aid kit, canned food, non-electric can opener; bottled water (emergency managers recommend 3 gallons per person), rubber boots, rubber gloves, battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries.

Identify evacuation locations.

During a flood:

When a warning is issued, listen to local radio and TV stations for information.

When a watch is issued, move furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home.

Abandon your car if stalled in rapidly rising waters and climb to higher ground. Do not drive into any large puddles or into water that seems to be moving rapidly.

After a flood:

Call your insurance agent as soon as possible to see if you need to file a claim.

Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage. Keep all receipts.

Delay permanent repairs until your insurer approves reimbursement.

Get any necessary construction permits from your community.

Prepare an inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property. Take photos of damaged areas.

Save remnants of damaged or destroyed property for your insurance company adjuster.

Meet with your adjuster before signing anything with contractors, lawyers or public adjuster.

Let your car dry out before trying to start it.

Protecting yourself is easy!
Flood insurance picks up where your homeowners insurance leaves off. It is not expensive, especially when compared with the monthly payments for disaster loans, and it's easy to get--just call your insurance agent.

What to ask your insurance agent?

Do I have flood insurance?

How much flood insurance should I purchase?

How much contents coverage should I purchase?

Should I consider a three-year policy to reduce my premiums?

Do I qualify for a preferred risk policy?

Can I finance my premiums?

Blizzard/Winter Storms
Hurricane
Flood
Tornado
Fire
Top of Page
Return to Mather & Pitts Home Page

Tornado Disaster Tips

Did you know:

That tornadoes strike every month of the year and in almost every state.

Peak tornado season: April to August.

States by the most tornadoes in 1993: Texas (117); Kansas (113); Florida (85); South Dakota (85); Colorado (71); and Nebraska (70). Total number of U.S. tornadoes in 1993: 1,173.

Before a Tornado:

Make a written or videotaped inventory of household possessions/property and store in a safe place with insurance policies, documents and other valuables.

Identify a safe location in your home--a basement, center hallway, bathroom or closet on the lowest floor.

Take a first aid class from your local Red Cross Chapter.

Assemble a disaster kit including: first aid kit, medications, battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, canned food, can opener, bottled water, sturdy shoes and work gloves.

Make a utilities checklist with instructions on how to turn them off

Conduct periodic tornado drills.

Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information and for instructions if a disaster occurs.

Check your homeowners insurance policy to make sure you're covered for damage due to tornadoes.

After a Tornado:

Call your independent insurance agent as soon as possible.

Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage.

Delay permanent repairs until your insurer approves reimbursement.

Get any necessary construction permits from your community.

Keep all receipts.

Prepare an inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property.

Take photos of damaged areas.

Save remnants of damaged or destroyed property for your insurance company adjuster.

Meet with your adjuster first, before signing anything with contractors, lawyers or public adjusters.

Blizzard/Winter Storms
Hurricane
Flood
Tornado
Fire
Top of Page
Return to Mather & Pitts Home Page

Fire Disaster Tips

Did you know:

A residential fire occurs in the United States every 67 seconds.

Accidents related to cooking usually cause more residential fires than any other known cause.

Careless smoking is the leading known cause of residential fire deaths.

Arson is the No. 1 cause of nonresidential fires.

Before a Fire:

Make a written or videotaped inventory of household possessions/property and store in a safe place with insurance policies, documents and other valuables.

Install a battery-powered smoke detector outside each sleeping area and on each level of your home.

Use the test button to check each smoke detector once a month.

Replace smoke detector batteries at least once a year.

Install a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

Take a first aid class from your local Red Cross chapter.

Determine at least two ways to escape from every room in your home.

Select a location outside your home to serve as meeting place after escaping.

Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.

After a Fire:

Call your independent insurance agent as soon as possible.

Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage.

Delay permanent repairs until your insurer approves reimbursement.

Get any necessary construction permits from your community.