Don’t be caught off guard by your insurance coverage the next time a severe storm hits. September is Disaster Preparedness Month and all Marylanders should read their insurance policies carefully to determine what their policies cover and do not cover.
In addition to carefully reviewing your insurance policies, some other ways to prepare for disaster include:
- Inventory your property. Whenever possible, take photos or videos to support any claim you may need to file later.
- Determine if you property is insured to its full replacement cost.
- Keep your policy information in a waterproof, fireproof safe or off-site, such as in a safe deposit box, or scan it and save it to a flash drive that you keep in an emergency kit.
- Consider purchasing flood insurance. Visit www.FloodSmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to learn more.
The Maryland Insurance Administration is a state agency that offers guides and general information about insurance coverage at community outreach events and online. Your insurance agent or insurance company can help to explain specifically what is covered by your policy and what is not.
For more information and videos on how to prepare for a disaster, visit the Maryland Insurance Administration’s website, www.insurance.maryland.gov. Look for the link to Insurance Preparedness for Natural Disasters under Hot Topics. Also, you can like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MDInsuranceAdmin or follow us on Twitter at @MD_Insurance.
