Are You Prepared for Hurricane Season? Tips to Protect Your Home and Loved Ones from Hurricanes
June 03 2011 - 8:05AM
Business Wire
This spring has been uncommonly stormy for most of the Midwest
and South, with disastrous and often tragic results. Unfortunately,
this week marks the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season,
which several hurricane experts predict will be worse than average.
As the past month has proven, consumers cannot afford to let their
guard down, and MetLife Auto & Home is offering free materials
and tips that can help consumers prepare for—and ride out—a
storm.
“Many people are unaware of simple measures they can take to
protect themselves and their homes,” said Mike Convery, chief claim
officer of MetLife Auto & Home. “Natural disasters—such as
hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, and wildfires—impact
thousands each year. By taking a few practical steps, however,
consumers can reduce the likelihood of damage to their property and
loved ones.”
To help prepare against any disaster, MetLife Auto & Home
suggests the following:
- Prepare a disaster supplies kit.
Disasters often occur with little warning, and being prepared in
advance can alleviate a lot of stress. Prepare for power outages by
stocking up on such necessities as food and bottled water, as well
as a first aid kit, a portable radio, warm clothing, and clean
blankets. In addition, keep a supply of flashlights and extra
batteries handy.
- Develop an evacuation plan.
Decide in advance where to go, if you need to evacuate your home.
You might choose a friend’s home, a motel, or a shelter. Also, if
possible, identify a safe evacuation route—and alternate routes.
Remember that roads may be crowded and that bridges or causeways
may be under water.
- Take action to protect your
property. There are a number of actions you can take to ensure
that, in the event of a natural disaster, damage to your property
can be mitigated or avoided altogether. There are also resources
available, including www.fema.gov and www.redcross.org.
- Take action to properly insure your
property. In addition to making home improvements, make sure
your property is adequately insured in the event of a loss, by
having a quick conversation with a trusted insurance
professional.
- And, consider flood insurance.
Flooding is nature’s most common natural disaster, affecting tens
of thousands of homeowners each year, and it occurs in all 50
states, with up to 25 percent occurring in low-to-moderate-risk
zones. However, flooding is not covered under the standard
homeowners policy, although coverage is relatively inexpensive and
can easily be purchased for a home or business, to cover both
building and contents, subject to policy limitations. MetLife Auto
& Home offers a comprehensive site on flood preparation,
available at www.metlifeflood.com.
- Assemble and secure important
documents. Make sure you keep important documents, such as
social security numbers, birth certificates, and insurance
information in a safe, dry place. Also, consider making an
inventory of your home contents. This is a step that’s often
overlooked, but can be invaluable if you need to file an insurance
claim.
For additional information, MetLife Auto & Home offers
“Disaster Preparation,” a brochure created as part of MetLife’s
Life Advice® series, which was developed with assistance from the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red
Cross. The brochure contains useful information on how to prepare
against several natural disasters, such as hurricane, wildfires,
and floods. It’s available by calling 1-800-MET-LIFE
(1-800-638-5433) or online at www.metlife.com (choose “Disaster
Preparation” under “Life Advice”).
MetLife Auto & Home is a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:
MET), a leading provider of insurance and financial services with
operations throughout the U.S. and the Latin America, Europe and
Asia Pacific regions. For more information, please visit
www.metlife.com.
MetLife Auto & Home is a brand of
Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and its
affiliates, Warwick, RI.
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