Hurricane season just started on June 1, yet Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has already reminded all of us about the steps that we need to take when a hurricane inevitably comes our way.
While it’s important to understand what steps to take to avoid being the victim of a construction scam, as discussed in an earlier blog, it’s not the only thing you need to prepare for. There are some additional steps you should take now to prepare for a storm and filing an insurance claim should something happen to your property.
Secure the right insurance
No one wants to lose their home, car and the rest of their belongings. Situations like these are far worse if there’s little or no insurance coverage for a homeowner or renter to tap into to recover damages, though. This outcome often happens when someone fails to renew their insurance policy or doesn’t take out the right coverage or have high enough limits, though. You should regularly review your policy, perhaps ahead of every hurricane season, to ensure that it best protects your interests.
Keep important documents easily accessible
People once used to keep important documents such as deeds to their homes, life insurance policies and birth certificates in a safe deposit box or safe in their home. This strategy might not be as common as it once was. You may want to consider storing them in a digital dropbox, though.
Plan ahead
One of the best things that you can do during the calm before the storm is to prepare. You might want to:
- Do some preventative maintenance on your home, including checking hurricane shutters and making sandbags to stave off flooding.
- Have your vehicle checked out to ensure it’s in good working order and fill its tank in case you need to evacuate.
- Familiarize yourself with where local shelters and evacuation routes are.
- Buy flashlights, batteries, a radio, non-perishable food and water to utilize if you can’t get away from your house.
While we certainly hope that a hurricane will spare you this season, you’ll be more capable of protecting your family and recovering any compensation following the above-referenced steps. An attorney can help you navigate the maze of dealing with insurance companies if you encounter any impasses along the way.