My heart goes out to our neighbors in Western North Carolina, Tennessee, and other southern states. The damage and loss is unprecedented! While Central Kentucky was spared the worst of the storm damage, now is the time to make sure your property is in the best condition to withstand upcoming weather events.
Whether it’s a tornado or severe thunderstorm, it’s critical to protect your home before the next storm hits to minimize damage and ensure your family’s safety.
Here are some key steps to take based on lessons learned from the latest storm.
1. Inspect and Reinforce Your Roof
Roofs are particularly vulnerable to high winds and heavy rain. Inspect your roof thoroughly for loose or damaged shingles, cracks, or other signs of wear or have a professional do so. Replace damaged shingles and consider reinforcing your roof with storm-resistant materials.
2. Fortify Windows and Doors
Many homes experience significant damage when windows are broken by flying debris or high winds. Don’t forget about doors—particularly garage doors, which are often the weakest point. Reinforce them to ensure they can withstand strong winds.
3. Clear Gutters and Drains
Flooding was a major issue during the recent storm, and clogged gutters only made it worse for many homeowners. Ensure your gutters and downspouts are free of debris so that water can flow away from your home. If your home is in a low-lying area, consider installing additional drainage solutions to minimize flood risk. French drains may be a good option.
4. Trim Trees and Remove Loose Items
Fallen trees and flying debris can cause a lot of damage. Trim any overhanging branches and cut back dead or dying trees near your house. Additionally, bring in outdoor furniture, grills, and other loose items, as they can become dangerous projectiles during strong winds. TRAMPOLINES ARE A HUGE RISK IN WIND STORMS. Tie them down securely.
5. Secure Backup Power Sources
Power outages were widespread in our area after the most recent storm, leaving many without electricity for days. Consider investing in a generator to keep essential appliances running during outages. Make sure you have fuel on hand and know how to operate the generator safely.
6. Prepare an Emergency Kit and Evacuation Plan
Prepare an emergency kit that includes flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, food, water, and important documents.
7. Check Insurance Coverage
In the aftermath of a storm, many homeowners discovered they were underinsured. Review your homeowner’s insurance policy to ensure it covers storm-related damages such as wind, hail, and flooding. Consider adding flood insurance if you live in an area at risk. Flooding is not included in your standard home insurance coverage!
We recommend the Flood Guru for flood insurance. Here is his website for a quote if you’re interested.
By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of damage to your home and keep your family safe in the event of a future storm. Preparing ahead of time can make all the difference when the next storm hits.
Trees are a beautiful and essential part of our environment, but they can also pose a significant risk during storms. When strong winds and heavy rain hit, trees can fall and cause extensive damage to property and even result in injury or loss of life. What a lesson we learned in Kentucky early in March! This is why it is crucial for homeowners to understand how insurance policies cover damage caused by falling trees during storms.
Homeowners insurance typically covers damage to property caused by falling trees, including damage to homes, garages, fences, and sheds. However, it is important to note that insurance policies can differ, so homeowners should review their policies and speak with their insurance agent to ensure they have adequate coverage.
Here are some key factors to consider when it comes to insurance coverage for fallen trees during storms:
Cause of the fallen tree: If a tree falls due to natural causes such as high winds or heavy rain, it is generally covered by homeowners insurance. However, if a tree falls due to neglect or lack of maintenance, such as diseased or rotting branches, the insurance company may deny coverage.
Damage caused by the fallen tree: Homeowners insurance typically covers damage to property caused by a fallen tree, including damage to the structure of the house, as well as personal property such as cars, furniture, and other belongings.
Clean-up and removal: Homeowners insurance typically covers the cost of removing fallen trees from your property, up to a certain limit. However, if the tree falls on a neighbor’s property, the neighbor’s insurance may be responsible for the removal costs.
Additional living expenses: If your home is uninhabitable due to damage caused by a fallen tree, your homeowners insurance policy may cover additional living expenses, such as temporary lodging and meals.
Deductibles: Homeowners should be aware of their insurance policy’s deductible, which is the amount the homeowner must pay out-of-pocket before the insurance coverage kicks in. Depending on the policy, the deductible may be a flat fee or a percentage of the total claim.
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To prevent fallen trees during storms, homeowners can take steps such as regular tree maintenance, including pruning and removing diseased or damaged branches, as well as planting trees away from power lines and structures. It is also important to review your homeowners insurance policy regularly and ensure that you have adequate coverage for storm-related damage.
Click on the link to find out more information about trees and your home insurance policy from Erie Insurance.
In the summertime, we see lots of thunderstorms and hail in Central Kentucky.
What should you do if your home or car is damaged during a storm?
Stay safe? Wait until the storm has passed before you inspect the damage.
Take steps to protect your property. Maybe you need to spread a tarp over a section of the roof. Maybe you need to pick up shingles in the yard.
Contact your insurance agent. Many times, the damage done to your shingles isn’t a large enough amount of money to file a claim when you factor in your deductible.
Get an estimate to see how much the repairs will cost you.
If your car is damaged by hail or a fallen tree limb, you will need to have comprehensive coverage on your auto policy. Have a discussion with your insurance agent to be sure you can get the damage repaired. Again, get an estimate to see how much the repairs will cost you.
Your agent is there to help you in the case of a weather event that causes property damage. Reach out to get advice, after the danger of the storm has passed.
