Am I Covered? Get the right Insurance Before a Disaster Instead of Wondering if You Have it After.

April is Disaster Preparedness month which is the perfect time to make sure you have all the resources you need when a natural disaster impacts you and your family. As you take the time this month to study the great information provided by the American Red Cross and FEMA to build your personalized emergency kit, and develop evacuation plans be sure to review your insurance policies to make sure you have the right coverage after the disaster.

A standard homeowner’s policy will cover a lot of Mother Nature’s wrath but some catastrophes, like earthquakes, require additional coverage.The best thing someone can do is talk to a local agent about their specific situation.

To get coverage for an earthquake you will need to add an endorsement and the additional premium will vary based on several factors including age of your home, building materials and proximity to known fault lines. Flood insurance, which is regulated by the federal government, must be purchased as a separate policy.

State Farm Insurance recommends a yearly insurance checkup with your local agent. This ensures that you notate any updates to your property, review your specific risks and adjust your policies to get the best coverage for the best price.

Each family is unique and we should treat our insurance that way as well; what works for your neighbor may not be the ideal coverage for you.

Take the time today to prepare for tomorrow’s disaster. Do not wait until it is too late to build your emergency kit, practice your evacuation routes and talk to your agent about the proper insurance coverage for your unique situation.

For more information on preparing for natural disasters visit the following:
http://www.emd.wa.gov/index.shtml – Washington Emergency Management Division
http://insurance.oregon.gov/consumer/consumer-tips/4845-5_earthquakes.pdf – Oregon Consumer and Business Services Earthquake Insurance Tips
http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm – FEMA Plan and Prepare
www.floodsmart.gov – Official website for the National Flood Insurance Program
http://www.oregonredcross.org/index.asp?IDCapitulo=663B0ID44V – American Red Cross Oregon
http://www.seattleredcross.org/ – American Red Cross Seattle
http://learningcenter.statefarm.com/ – State Farm Learning Center