The first major hurricane of the season is on a path to strike Texas in the coming hours.
Homeowners in costal areas along the Gulf Coast, and as far as 100 miles inland, will be at a high-risk for storm damage from Hurricane Harvey's high winds, pounding rain and subsequent flooding.
"Preparing for a severe weather event like a hurricane is key because many of the most important preparation steps cannot be done at the last minute," said Bob Welther, assistant vice president of risk consulting for ACE Private Risk Services. "Furthermore, once a hurricane is reported, homeowners will be competing for a limited supply of critical materials and resources such as gasoline, generators, tarps and boards and bottled water."
|Proper precautions
During hurricane season, agents should inform their clients living in costal or other at-risk areas about protecting themselves should a severe storm put their home, property and family at risk. Taking the proper precautions, collecting emergency supplies and creating a family evacuation plan are just a few ways homeowners can remove a little stress from an inherently stressful situation.
"We encourage agents to include emergency planning as part of an annual review process with their clients," Welther suggests. "The planning should include both coverage issues and loss prevention ideas."
Providing tips for hurricane season not only helps keep clients safe, but it can also help solidify a positive, trusting relationship between clients and agents.
|Insurance agent's can provide advice & service
"There is a professional duty to make sure the client has understood the risk and made informed decisions about the choice of insurance company and coverage, but there is also an opportunity to cement a relationship based on advice and service surrounding a dangerous event. Simple tips such as moving outdoor furniture into a garage so that it won't smash through a window can earn a lasting impression," Welther said.
Here are some key hurricane protection tips for homeowners:
In the yard
To protect homes and vehicles from potential storm damage, homeowners should begin preparing their homes by making sure that their rain gutters and exterior drains are free of debris to avoid potential water backups. Roof sheathing should also be checked to make sure that it could withstand heavy winds.
“Exterior furniture or art that could act as a dangerous projectile should also be moved inside or secured with cables or netting,” said Welther.
In the yard, homeowners should be sure that trees and other outdoor landscaping are trimmed so that there are no branches hanging over the home or vehicle that could fall and cause severe damage or even personal injury.
“Trees or branches that fall can create a great deal of damage to your property, but an inspection by an arborist can help identify unhealthy tree branches and remove them, but it must be planned in advance,” Welther said.
In the home
Homeowners, in the event of a storm, should close and lock all windows and doors, reinforcing windows with shutters and adding heavy-duty hinges and deadbolts to entry doors. The garage door, in particular needs to be braced, “Even if it means backing your car up against the interior of the garage door,” Welther said.
In case of flooding or power loss, homeowners should also install a battery backup system for the sump pump to prevent drain backups and a backup generator can be helpful in the event of extended power loss.
When it comes to valuable items in the home, such as rugs or art, clients should move them away from any windows, and to upper floors of the house, if possible. Prepare copies of important personal and financial documents, and secure these copies in a safe, alternate location to ensure that these documents survive the storm.
Scott Martin places a sheet of plywood as he helps board up windows in preparation for Hurricane Harvey, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Two counties have ordered mandatory evacuations as Hurricane Harvey gathers strength as it drifts toward the Texas Gulf Coast. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
|Evacuation tips
As Hurricane Harvey threatens to hit, clients should keep their agent’s information on hand, as well as emergency contact information, and be sure that they have a full tank of gas in their car should they need to evacuate.
Welther suggests that keeping a “go bag,” with a change of clothes, prescription medications, food and water, flashlights, a portable radio and batteries is extremely helpful in the event of an emergency.
“Your family’s safety should always come first,” Welther said. “Agree on an evacuation plan, emergency communication procedures and a rendezvous point in case you get separated.”
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