• Home
  • Get A Quote
  • Customer Service
  • Claims
  • Report Your Claim
  • Carrier Contact
  • Pay
  • Refer a Friend
  • About Us
  • Location Map
  • Employee Directory
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
Call Us Call or Email Us Today
Client Center Login
  • Home
  • Quote
  • Coverages
    • Automobile
    • Business & Commercial
    • Flood
    • Health
    • Homeowners
    • Life
    • Renters
    • Umbrella
    • Watercraft & Boat
    • Windstorm
  • Service
    • Customer Service Portal
    • Customer Service Forms
  • Claim
    • Claim Information
    • Report a claim to the agency
    • Report a claim to the carrier
    • What to do after an accident
    • What to do if there's a fire
    • What to do if there's a flood
    • What to do to after a loss to your home
    • Prepare for hurricane season
    • Water Damage -Act quickly
    • what to do a power outage
  • Pay
  • Resources
    • Employment Center
    • Blog
    • Important Links
    • Secure Area
    • Insurance Glossary
    • Join Our Newsletter
    • Insurance Carrier Contacts
    • First Home Insurance checklist
    • Video Tips
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Employee Directory
    • Testimonials
    • Location Map
    • Refer a Friend
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Homeowners Insurance HOME Read More
Auto Insurance AUTO Read More
Renters Insurance RENTERS Read More
Business Insurance BUSINESS Read More
Life Insurance LIFE Read More
Watercraft Insurance WATERCRAFT Read More
Home > Blog > Things to do now to prepare for a tropical storm
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017

Things to do now to prepare for a tropical storm

Things to do now to prepare for a tropical storm

  • Plan - make a plan with your family on what to do if there is an emergency
  • Move - As high winds may be expected, secure your outside items. Move potential projectile items inside or Anchor down.
  • Move - Elevate important items ie place furniture on blocks  in case of flood
  • Gather - Get supplies, such as water, prescription, non perishable food, cell phone battery operated chargers, flashlights, etc 
  • Pay - make sure insurance premiums are paid to avoid a lapse in coverage and know your coverage and deductibles. Pay online at http://www.suzannebrownagency.com/payments/default.aspx.
  • Move - store your vehicles to higher grounds away from large trees
  • Protect your home- trim your trees back, clear your gutters, remove debris that could block street drains, check your window seals, etc. 
     

Before a Flood

In addition to having flood insurance, to prepare for a flood, you should:

  • Build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
  • Move your vehicle to higher grounds. 
  • Elevate the AC, furnace, water heater and electric panel in your home if you live in an area that has a high flood risk.
  • Consider installing "check valves" to prevent flood water from backing up into the drains of your home.
  • If feasible, construct barriers to stop floodwater from entering the building and seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds.

During a Flood

If a flood is likely in your area, you should:

  • Download a local weather ap, listen to the radio or television to keep up to date.
  • Move immediately to higher ground within your home or office building but do not try to drive as roads may be flooded.
  • Move essential items to an upper floor or attic only if you have time.
  • Place sand bags or plastic bags or even towels around openings to avoid water intake.
  • Wrap porous furniture legs with aluminum foil to avoid damage.
  • If you have to leave your home, remember these evacuation tips:
  • Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
  • Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground, when water is not movng or not more than a few inches deep. You and the vehicle can be swept away quickly. If the water is rising inside the vehicle, seek refuge on the roof.
  • Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams, rivers or creeks, particularly during threatening conditions. 

After the Flood

Although floodwaters may be down in some areas, many dangers still exist. Here are some things to remember in the days ahead:

  • Safety First - locate your loved ones including pets 
     

The Road to Recovery

As soon as floodwater levels have dropped, it's time to start the recovery process. Here's what you can do to begin restoring your home.

  • If your home has suffered damage, call your insurance agent to file a claim.
  • Check for structural damage to avoid being trapped in a building collapse.
  • Keep power off until an electrician has inspected your system for safety.
  • Boil water for drinking and food preparation until authorities tell you that your water supply is safe.
  • Prevent mold by removing wet contents immediately.
  • Wear gloves and boots to clean and disinfect. Wet items should be cleaned with a pine-oil cleanser and bleach, completely dried, and monitored for several days for any fungal growth and odors.

What to know if you need to file a claim

  

If you want to get started on clean up, please document your loss.

  • Take pictures inside and out of damages and water mark lines.
  • If the water entered the dwelling, you can remove wet drywall and carpeting. Cut one foot above the water mark on the wall of every room that was damaged.
  • Save a 1ft by 1ft piece of each different type or style of carpet and padding in each room that you remove the carpeting.
  • Do not throw anything away until the adjuster comes to inspect the damage.
  • If you can safely do so, make temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
  • If you choose to use a water restoration company, they can help extract standing water and set out large fans to dry out the damage.  
  • If you choose to use a remediation contractor, we advise not to sign open ended contracts. It is likely that all charges they include are not reimbursable under the flood policy.
  • If you need an advance on your claim ask your adjuster.
  • If you have flooded previously have your documents, receipts and photos to prove prior repairs.
  • Start a list of structural and contents damage
  • Contact your insurance agent to report the damage.   Adjustors will contact you within 72 hours to schedule an onsite inspection
  • Remove excess water by mopping and blotting or moving wet rugs out of the property to avoid more damage.
  • Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
  • Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
  • Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
  • Turn air conditioning on only if the AC did not suffer water damage for maximum drying in summer.
  • Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
  • Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
  • Gather loose items from floors.

What NOT To Do After Flooding

  • Don't leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
  • Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
  • Don't use your household vacuum to remove water.
  • Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.
  • Do not start your car's engine if it suffered water damage.  That will cause the engine to have worst damage.  Have it towed when it can to your body shop.

   

  

If you need help please contact us:  Suzanne@SuzanneBrownAgency.com or call 281-558-2210 

 

We are here to help you through this process. Please call our office at 281-558-2210 to help you through this process. We are here to help you.  

  

  

 

 

 

______________________________________ 

 

What does flood insurance cover?

Flood insurance policies cover physical damage to your property and possessions from external rising wateras summarized below.

 

 

Building Property

 

  • The insured building and its foundation
  • Electrical and plumbing systems
  • Central air conditioning equipment, furnaces and water heaters
  • Refrigerators, cooking stoves and built-in appliances such as dishwashers
  • Permanently installed carpeting over unfinished flooring
  • Permanently installed paneling, wallboard, bookcases and cabinets
  • Window blinds
  • Detached garages (up to 10 percent of building property coverage); detached buildings (other than garages) require a separate building property policy
  • Debris removal

Personal Conents Property

 

  • Personal belongings, such as clothing, furniture and electronic equipment
  • Curtains
  • Portable and window air conditioners
  • Portable microwave ovens and portable dishwashers
  • Carpets that are not included in building coverage
  • Clothing washers and dryers
  • Food freezers and the food in them
  • Certain valuable items such as original artwork and furs (up to $2,500)

Whats Not Covered

 

  • Damage caused by moisture, mildew or mold that could have been avoided by the property owner
  • Currency, precious metals and valuable papers such as stock certificates
  • Property and belongings outside of an insured building such as trees, plants, wells, septic systems, walks, decks, patios, fences, seawalls, hot tubs and swimming pools
  • Living expenses such as temporary housing
  • Financial losses caused by business interruption or loss of use of insured property
  • Most self-propelled vehicles such as cars, including their parts (see Section IV.5 in your policy)

 

If you do not have flood insurance but would like to add coverage for the future, please contact our office to discuss your options. New policies will have a 10 to 30 day wait. Get flood insurance if you do not have it

 

If you need help please contact us: Suzanne@SuzanneBrownAgency.com or call 281-558-2210

Posted 1:19 PM

Tags: flood insurance, insurance, insurance agent, home insurance, houston home insurance, houston flood insurance, independent insurance agent
Share |


No Comments


Post a Comment
Required
Required (Not Displayed)
Required


All comments are moderated and stripped of HTML.

NOTICE: This blog and website are made available by the publisher for educational and informational purposes only. It is not be used as a substitute for competent insurance, legal, or tax advice from a licensed professional in your state. By using this blog site you understand that there is no broker client relationship between you and the blog and website publisher.
Blog Archive
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012

  • houston insurance(432)
  • houston home insurance(353)
  • home insurance(328)
  • auto insurance(225)
  • houston auto insurance(212)
  • independent insurance agent(207)
  • katy home insurance(184)
  • insurance(169)
  • renters insurance(138)
  • cypress home insurance(121)
  • woodlands home insurance(109)
  • flood insurance(108)
  • spring home insurance(107)
  • katy auto insurance(103)
  • katy insurance(91)
  • independent insurance(87)
  • independent insurance agency(70)
  • houston flood insurance(55)
  • spring auto insurance(55)
  • cypress insurance(49)
  • woodlands auto insurance(47)
  • home insurance houston(42)
  • insurance agent(40)
  • woodlands insurance(39)
  • best insurance(37)
  • home insurance agent(33)
  • spring insurance(32)
  • life insurance(28)
  • cypress auto insurance(26)
  • home insurance katy(25)
  • houston renters insurance(25)
  • home insurance woodlands(24)
  • business insurance(23)
  • auto insurance agent(22)
  • springwoods village insurance(19)
  • magnolia home insurance(18)
  • home insurance spring(18)
  • umbrella insurance(18)
  • water damage(17)
  • jewelry insurance(16)
  • auto insurance houston(15)
  • health insurance(15)
  • liability insurance(14)
  • best insurance agent(14)
  • identity theft(13)
  • boat insurance(13)
  • hurricane season(12)
  • katy flood insurance(11)
  • windstorm insurance(10)
  • homeowners insurance(10)

View Mobile Version
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Blog
Carriers
Carriers
Carriers
Carriers
Carriers
Carriers
Carriers
Carriers
Carriers
Carriers
Carriers
Carriers
Carriers
Carriers
Carriers
Carriers
Facebook Logo

Resources

Home About Us Get a Quote Customer Service Refer A Friend Contact Us

Contact Us

  • 11999 Katy Freeway Suite 635
  • Houston TX 77079
  • P: 281-558-2210
  • Email Us
© Copyright. All rights reserved.
Powered by Insurance Website Builder