Help Clients Prepare for Spring Storms

Although it may not feel like it in some parts of the country quite yet, spring is here or just around the corner. The change in seasons from winter to spring can bring with it the dangers of unpredictable and severe weather. Thunderstorms, tornadoes, hailstorms, and high wind can have damaging effects on people and property.

One of the ways you can help protect your clients is to remind them of the simple steps they can take to help make sure their property is protected as much as possible. Your organization should also take the steps to make sure your own offices are protected and your staff is ready to help your clients at perhaps their biggest time of need.

The following are some steps you can suggest your clients take to help them be ready for spring storms:

1. Review your insurance policy. Update any necessary information such as location addresses, size of the deductible, and the current insured value of both your contents and home.
2. Evaluate your need for flood insurance. Many areas of the country saw an unusually large amount of snowfall this winter and as that snow starts melting, the water has to go somewhere. If it’s your basement, understand that your homeowner’s policy will not pay for that water damage.
3. Maintain home repairs. Make sure your home is in tiptop shape by having a local contractor inspect your roof, gutters, and HVAC system for damage or clogging. Make any necessary repairs, and clean air ducts and replace filters.
4. Create or update your Go Bag. If you have to leave your home in a hurry, would you have the essential items you needed ready to go at a moment’s notice? You can purchase a Go Bag at popular websites like Amazon and eBay. Or you can simply make a list of the items that you need to include and purchase them locally.
5. Have a communication plan. Family members may not be in the same place when a disaster strikes so think through beforehand how you will communicate with each other. Cell phones may not work well after a disaster if cell towers are damaged. Text messaging may have a higher likelihood of getting through. You can also designate a family member who is not in your local area to be your contact person.

For those clients within tornado prone areas, Zurich Insurance created a white paper called Five Tips for Every Business to Become Tornado-Aware that is a good resource and provides some good tips on protecting life and property. You can access the paper here:

Agility Recovery’s has created a Tornado Checklist that will help prepare your organization for the storms. They also created a white paper called 9 Ways to Prepare for Spring Weather with things you can do right now to ensure that your employees and your organization are ready for spring.

The insurance policies agents sell provide protection against catastrophic losses. Prevention is the best protection because no one wants to go through the heartache of having to rebuild after a major loss.

What have you done to prepare yourself, your clients, and your organization for the upcoming spring storms? Please share your experiences.