Published: April 13, 2008 02:33 am            

Preparing for disaster

People can take steps to try to ready themselves in case unthinkable happens

FAIRMONT — No homeowner or renter can fully be prepared for a flood, fire or other disaster that may strike their residence.

However, persons can take some steps to try to ready themselves in case the unthinkable ever happens.

The Institute for Business & Home Safety, headquartered in Tampa, Fla., works to decrease the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other property losses. The institute operates DisasterSafety.org as a service to homeowners and small business owners.

The Web site can help people get an idea of what events their home needs to be protected against, said Wendy Rose, spokesperson for IBHS.

“The Web site is a helpful tool,” she said. “They can identify what’s a priority for them and what can wait.”

DisasterSafety.org is now Zip code oriented. By entering their Zip code, persons can find out what types of home projects might be necessary to help with their disaster preparation plan, Rose said.

For example, the Web site lists flood, freezing weather, high winds and wildfires as potential risks for homes in Fairmont.

When homeowners make improvements to their house, they should choose the best materials in order to make sure their home is strong, she said.

A family can increase protection when they put on a new roof or replace windows or doors. It’s important that people increase their home’s defenses when they can, even if they just invest a little bit on repairs.

Rose said many persons who live along a river don’t think they need flood insurance or choose not to get it. But persons should make sure they’re properly insured for a flood and understand what their policy covers.

She suggested that people visit knowyourstuff.org, an online home inventory program that can assist with recovery efforts. Insurance can help following a property loss situation, but a family won’t be able remember everything they previously had in their home.

“Doing a home inventory is a great way to make sure we are compensated for what we do own,” Rose said. “Some people simply don’t know what their house could face.”

She said people need to get an accurate picture of what their home could withstand in order to help their defenses. Homeowners should think about their house, imagine different scenarios, and put plans in place.

Families should create a plan that they can use if an unforeseen circumstance ever occurs and discuss it with everyone, Rose said. They need to talk about how they would contact relatives and where they would go.

Persons in the country often think, “It’s never going to happen to me,” she said. But then events like Hurricane Katrina occur, wildfires burn in California, and severe winter storms strike.

Because the weather and other dangers can be unpredictable, people need to prepare and have knowledge of their risks. Those who have some kind of plan can recover more quickly, Rose said.

People have different ideas about where to store important documents. Individuals may choose to put these records in a fireproof or waterproof container, in a file in their car trunk, or in a safe deposit box at the bank.

Persons should make sure they have two copies of important papers and keep a list of phone numbers that they may need. Rose said people should try to be cognizant, but “not in an alarmist fashion.”

“It’s a matter of just thinking about it, because we don’t want to think about it,” Rose said. “What can I do to increase my home’s protection so I don’t have to deal with the bigger stuff?”

She said homeowners should talk to local insurance agents as part of their financial planning. The insurer is the expert and can work with clients to protect all their assets. Of course, it’s best to work with an agent in advance “when you’re not in the clutches of an emergency,” Rose said.

When it comes to homeowners insurance, a person should seek out a full coverage policy that takes care of the contents of the home and has a broad range, said Jack Oliver II, owner of the Insurance Depot LLC in Fairmont.

Some policies name specific perils, which would only cover the home in the event of that particular disaster. But persons shouldn’t limit themselves to coverage of only certain disasters, he said.

Oliver pointed out that if a person has lived in the same home for many years, the house may be undervalued today. So in the event of an unexpected circumstance, the proceeds would not be enough to rebuild the house exactly as it was before.

“A lot of people are actually undercovered for the simple fact that it takes so much to replace the home these days,” he said.

In an attempt to get the cost of their insurance policies and premiums down, some people reduce their level of homeowners coverage, he said. But if something happens, their house may not be covered sufficiently.

“With the gas prices and inflation, people are really pinching pennies,” Oliver said. “A lot of people want everything the cheapest they can find, so they cut corners.”

Homeowners should chose an insurance policy based on the age, value and contents of the home and what exactly they want to insure. Some persons have a lot of valuable possessions in their house, while others do not.

“They need to find an insurance company and an agent that has a broad spectrum of (coverage),” he said.

According to the Insurance Information Institute’s Web site, www.iii.org, a standard homeowners insurance policy “insures the home itself and the things you keep in it.” It provides coverage for the structure of the home and personal belongings, liability protection, and the extra expenses while temporarily living away from home because of a disaster.

The site stated that homeowners insurance supplies financial protection for property damages resulting from most disasters, although some exceptions apply.

Most policies include coverage for at least the following perils: fire or lighting, windstorm or hail, explosion, riot or civil commotion, damage caused by aircraft or vehicles, smoke, vandalism or malicious mischief, theft, and volcanic eruption.

Maintenance damage is not covered, and separate policies must be purchased to cover floods and earthquakes, the Insurance Information Institute said.

Homeowners insurance plans vary according to the amount of insurance coverage, and renters also have a different policy. For the level of coverage, both homeowners and renters have the option of actual cash value, replacement cost, or guaranteed or extended replacement cost, the Web site said.

A small amount of water can cause a lot of destruction to a home, and homeowners insurance normally doesn’t cover flood damages, FloodSmart.gov reported. A person doesn’t have to live in a high-risk flood zone to obtain flood insurance, which is a “single peril” insurance.

Renters, homeowners and business owners can go through insurance agencies to get flood insurance from FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program. The Web site said flood insurance policies are based on location and flood history. Standard flood insurance and preferred risk policies are available.

Individuals in high-risk flood areas may have substantial premiums, but those in low-risk areas pay less. A 30-day waiting period generally applies for policies to go into effect.

“Everyone lives in a flood zone,” FloodSmart.gov said. “Flood zones indicate areas of low, moderate and high risk. In low- and moderate-risk zones flooding can still occur. The risk is reduced but not removed.”

E-mail Jessica Legge at jlegge@timeswv.com.

        

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