Tornadoes can happen at any time of the year, but peak season for these often disastrous events in the U.S. is between March and June. With this time of the year rapidly approaching, there are actions insurance agents should speak to their customers about in order to make sure they are prepared with both proper coverage and an emergency plan in case they fall victim to a tornado. Prior to a storm striking, agents should encourage their insureds to: |

• Familiarize themselves with their area's tornado risk – and never assume where they live isn't vulnerable to these storms, as they can happen anywhere in the U.S.
• Pay close attention to metrological predictions so they're aware of when severe weather may strike. If available, they should also sign up for their community's local warning system so they will be alerted if a warning or advisory is issued.
• Identify where their tornado shelter location will be. If the insured does not have an actual storm shelter, they should plan to take cover in a small, windowless, interior room on the lowest level of their house. Those who live in mobile homes should make a plan to leave their home in the event of a tornado and take cover somewhere safer, like a friend or family member's home or a community storm shelter.
• Include their pets in any emergency plan they create to ensure they also have somewhere safe to go during and after a tornado.
• Prepare for the possibility of needing to shelter in place by gathering emergency supplies, non-perishable food, water and medication.

In the slideshow above, we'll look at five ways insurance agents can prepare to best serve their insureds during tornado season.

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