LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — September is National Preparedness Month, and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is providing tips to help Michiganders prepare for, and recover from, damaged caused by a storm, fire, tornado, or other natural disaster.
Before damage occurs, Michiganders should:
- Review insurance policies to understand their coverage and responsibilities. Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowners and renters insurance policies. There are certain insurance policies, including federal flood insurance, that homeowners would need to purchase to have coverage for flooding or water and sewer back-up resulting from storms or other natural disasters. It is important to discuss these options with your insurance agent or your insurance company well before flooding or damage occurs.
- Prepare a detailed inventory of personal property with photographs or videos of each room in the home and a detailed list of other valuables and equipment that do not appear in the photos or videos. These materials should be stored in a safe place, such as a safe deposit box, with a relative, or electronically online.
- Make a list of important telephone numbers including family members, insurance agents, and insurance companies.
- Store copies of all insurance policy declaration pages and insurance cards in a safe place, such as a safe deposit box or online in the cloud, in case the originals are destroyed or lost.
- Develop a plan, such as a dedicated emergency fund, to pay for your insurance policy’s deductible. A deductible is a certain amount of money that must be paid out-of-pocket before the insurance company will pay a claim after a loss. For example, a homeowners policy may have a $1,000 deductible, meaning that you must pay $1,000 of a covered loss before the company will pay.
Anyone with questions or concerns about their insurance coverage is asked to call the DIFS toll-free hotline 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 877-999-6442.
Comments