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Natural disasters such as hurricanes can cause devastating damage. Hurricane season recently began on June 1 and runs through November 30. Experts at the NOAA Climate Predication Center are projecting a 65% chance that the Atlantic hurricane season will be above normal this year. AIR Worldwide Corporation, a leading risk modeling company that helps clients manage the financial impact of catastrophes and weather, report that hurricanes and earthquakes have the potential to cause approximately $500 billion of total economic losses. Although it may not be possible to completely protect yourself from the wrath of mother nature, below are some precautions and valuable information that may help you recoup a portion of your loses if you are a victim of a natural disaster.
Consider flood insurance. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), flooding is the number one natural hazard. Many people have the misconception that their homeowners insurance will cover flood damage; however, it does not. In fact, FEMA indicates that only 25 percent of the 10 million homes that lie within high flood risk zones carry flood insurance. In order to obtain flood insurance, you must live in one of the 20,000 communities that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a component of FEMA that handles flood insurance, floodplain management, and flood hazard mapping. For useful information about flood insurance, visit floodsmart , the official web site of NFIP. Use this resource to determine your area's flood risk, estimate your premium, and helpful FAQ's concerning flood insurance.
Prepare your home for a disaster. Depending on which disaster is more likely to strike in your geographical area, take steps to reduce the risk of damage. For example, if you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes, install hurricane shutters on your windows. In regions that experience earthquakes, secure objects like bookcases that could easily fall. You may also want to consult a building inspector for suggestions on home repairs that could prepare your home for a disaster. Certain home improvements may also lower your homeowner's insurance premium. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), it is a good idea to make sure you have enough insurance to rebuild your home and replace all of your personal belongings. You may also want to consult your insurance company about Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage, which pays for the additional costs of living away from home such as hotel bills and restaurant meals while your house is being repaired or rebuilt.
Fires may affect any home, so installing smoke detectors may be a good idea. The American Red Cross recommends that you contact your local fire department to see if they make free house calls. In some cities, a fireman may visit your home to evaluate your property and make fire safety suggestions.
Plan ahead. Visit ready, the official web site of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), for a printable emergency supply list. In addition to items like prescriptions and non-perishable food, USHS also recommends that you include copies of insurance polices and bank account records in a waterproof container. Although you may be on a budget, you may consider keeping a small amount of cash on hand or a small roll of quarters in case phone lines are down and you have to use the pay phone. For insurance reasons, you may also want to make a list of your valuables. The Insurance Information Institute also recommends consumers visit the site knowyourstuff to download free home inventory software.
Be aware of assistance programs. FEMA offers many assistance programs to those affected by disasters. Visit fema.gov and click on the "Apply for Assistance" link to familiarize yourself with the procedures. Depending on the type of emergency situation, you may qualify for a number of their programs including Disaster Legal Services, Disaster Unemployment Assistance Program, and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Your local branch of the American Red Cross may also provide you with basic needs such as food and clothing immediately following a disaster. Visit redcross for more information.
Bill Loughborough is Founder and CEO of Credit Answers, a Texas based debt settlement company. Credit Answers specializes in debt management, credit card debt settlement, debt elimination and avoiding bankruptcy. Credit Answers is a TASC "Best practices Accredited" organization and serves thousands of clients across the country and settles millions of dollars each month.
Prior to Credit Answers Mr. Loughborough had spent 20 years in the financial services industry as founder and CEO of Homeloan.com Inc., Landmark Mortgage, Factual Data, and National Mortgage Research Company. Mr. Loughborough's Companies in the past have received the prestigious "Inc. 500" Fastest Growing Private Company in America on three separate occasions. Mr. Loughborough graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with a major in finance.
For more information please visit creditanswers.com.
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