What’s Considered a Natural Disaster and Am I Covered?
Lisa Broadbent • September 5, 2023
Natural disasters happen. Although no one can predict when they will occur, homeowners’ insurance can give you peace of mind. First, however, it is essential to understand what qualifies as a natural disaster under the terms of your policy. Homeowners insurance covers a vast range of natural disasters, including those caused by fire, tornadoes, hail, explosions, windstorms, volcanoes, hurricanes, and extreme cold. That said, homeowners’ insurance does not cover some natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, and mudslides.
Examples of Natural Disasters Homeowners Insurance May Cover
It would be best if you didn’t have to guess about which natural disasters a homeowners insurance policy covers, so be sure to ask questions and consult with your agent to clarify these points. In addition, you should be clear about the coverage limits of your policy. Without adequate coverage, you might end up having to foot the bill for something you did not expect to pay.
Here are some examples (there are many others) of natural disasters and how your homeowners’ insurance policy can be applied:
- Fires: Unless you live in an area particularly susceptible to wildfires or when a fire was set on purpose, your homeowners insurance policy should cover fire-related damage. Additionally, if you have very valuable items in your home, such as fine jewelry, you should have them appraised for a scheduled personal property endorsement. Otherwise, they will have little or no coverage.
- Extreme cold: Homeowners insurance policies typically cover damage caused by extreme cold. For example, if your home or personal belongings are damaged from the weight of ice or snow, they will likely be covered. On the other hand, if ground snow melts and seeps into your home, resulting in water damage, this is likely not covered unless you have a separate flood insurance policy.
- Hurricanes: A hurricane can cause severe structural damage to your home, and you may also lose some cherished personal items. While damage and losses caused by wind and hail are usually covered, flood damage is separate in most cases. You will likely need a different policy to cover these events, so be sure to ask your insurance agent to ensure your property is protected.
The coverage your homeowners’ insurance provides can help ensure that no matter when the unexpected happens, you will not have to worry about the costs. When you work with an agency that is committed to serving the community, you can expect personalized service, and assistance in finding the best insurance with the most reasonable rates.
Keep Your Home and Property Protected with Homeowners Insurance
A natural disaster could potentially cost you everything, but homeowners insurance can help cover these losses, so you can protect what matters most to you. Our agency will work with you to understand your needs, ultimately finding the most effective policies to protect your home and belongings at a price you can afford. With our team at your side, you can rest easy knowing that you will be prepared whenever nature strikes.
Contact Lisa Broadbent Insurance today and we’ll help you determine what level of homeowners’ insurance you need to protect your home from natural disasters. Call us at (302) 731-0044 to discuss with our expert team today.
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Taking precautions to prevent ice dams is an important part of preparing your home for winter weather. Knowing what an ice dam is , minimizing the conditions that allow one to form and removing an ice dam as soon as you spot one can help prevent serious damage to both the roof and the inside of your home. Take action before snow starts falling An ice dam may develop during the cold winter months if warm air from your home or attic melts snow on your roof. In freezing temperatures, the melted snow may refreeze once it reaches the colder edge of the roof. Keeping the temperature of your attic at 32°F or below can help prevent snow from melting and ice dams from developing. The following are some steps you can take to help prevent the snow melting-and-freezing cycle that often causes ice dams: Insulate your attic. Be sure your attic is properly insulated to help prevent warmth from escaping through ceilings. Whenever possible, an insulation value of R-40 is recommended. Prevent air leaks. Check and seal any openings where warm air or heat could escape into the attic, such as insulating or caulking around vent pipes, exhaust fans, chimneys, attic hatches and/or light fixtures. Improve ventilation. Increase the number or size of attic, roof or soffit vents that allow cold air to circulate and flush warmer air out during the winter. Install a water-repellent membrane. When replacing the roof covering, install a water-repellent membrane underneath the shingles. This acts as an extra barrier that helps prevent water from seeping inside the building should an ice dam form. Tips to help prevent ice dams through the winter Ice dams can sometimes form despite your best efforts to keep your roof at the proper temperature. Be sure to monitor the weather and maintain your roof throughout the colder winter months for additional protection against ice dams, such as: Clear gutters and downspouts. Prevent water from accumulating and possibly freezing in your gutters by cleaning leaves, debris and snow accumulation from in and around gutters and downspouts. Making sure that your gutters are properly pitched can also help prevent the collection of water in low spots and help reduce the potential for ice buildup in gutters. Remove snow accumulation from your roof after every storm. Whenever possible, use a roof rake to clear snow about three to four feet from the edge of your roof soon after each storm. Snow accumulation along the edge of your roof increases the likelihood of an ice dam developing, which prevents water from draining off the roof. This water can then back up underneath roof shingles and make its way into your home. Remove ice dams as soon as you spot them. Check your roof often and know how to help identify and remove an ice dam. CAUTION: Avoid using a ladder in snowy and icy conditions. This can be extremely dangerous and is best left to the professionals. For questions or concerns about insurance to protect your home’s roof, please contact us at 302-731-0044 , or email lisa@broadbentins.com . Our agents and staff are available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, with the exception of holidays.
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The Dress, The Date, The Hair, The Music, and what to do after… all things that are on your teen's mind before the infamous prom night. Driving is usually not an important component in a teen's mind, but for parents it can be a big worry. Many parents often overlook the need to have honest discussions with their teens about safe driving and avoiding alcohol and drugs. Statistics show that prom and graduation season—the months of April, May and June—are the most dangerous time for teens. One-third of the alcohol-related traffic fatalities involving teens each year occur during those months. Here's an honest and teen-friendly guide to sharing concerns with your teen for one of the most important nights of their adolescent career. Many parents often overlook the need to have honest discussions with their teens about safe driving and avoiding alcohol and drugs. Have a good time. Explain to your teen that you want them to have fun and enjoy themselves. Just don't drink. Years from now, they will laugh when looking back at prom, but not if they don't remember the night. Relate it to your prom. Explain to them what you did right or wrong and what the consequences were. Don't be afraid to tell them the truth if you made some bad judgment calls. This can only help them to feel that you are human and that you regret those decisions and don't want them to make the same. Remind them of their future. High school is a great time, but they have their whole future ahead of them. Don't ruin that by drinking or doing drugs on Prom night or any night. Immature vs. Mature. Your teen may think that drinking or doing drugs and driving is what the grown-up thing is to do. Explain to them that is the most immature and irresponsible decision they could make. Being mature is about making the right decision and keeping your future in sight. Drive safe! If they are driving, make sure that they understand the responsibility of driving on Prom night. Share these six tips with your teen: Wear seatbelts. Don't speed. Be a defensive driver. Not everyone on the road is going to be as safe as you, watch out for other unsafe drivers. Don't drink or do drugs. This impairs judgment for driving and could potentially end in a fatality. If you do make a mistake, or find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, call your parents immediately. They will respect you for being mature enough to see the danger and making the right call. Don't ride with anyone who has been drinking or doing drugs. This takes your life out of your hands. Pay attention to the road while driving. Don't get distracted with cell phones, radio, or passengers. Driving is a very important responsibility and shouldn't be taken lightly. Teenage drivers have the highest crash risk of any age group and it's largely due to driver error. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, one in four crash fatalities involve someone 16 to 24 years old, nearly twice as high as other age groups. Don't let your teenager be a statistic. Talk with your teen and communicate the importance of safe driving on Prom night and every night. Your safety is number one to us. If you want to make sure you have the right insurance coverage for your teen driver, you can contact the insurance team at Lisa Broadbent Insurance at (302) 731-0044 today to get an evaluation and free quote. Stay safe wherever you choose to go on the road.
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