Governor Paul R. LePage and Insurance Superintendent Eric Cioppa urged Maine residents on Friday to recognize that severe weather poses a threat to life and property, and they called this week’s strong storm and Hurricane Joaquin reminders that steps can be taken to save lives, minimize property losses and speed recovery.
Governor LePage and Superintendent Cioppa noted that the Atlantic Hurricane Season runs through November. The Governor and Superintendent encourage Mainers to review their homeowner or renter policy and to evaluate the benefits of flood insurance. They also encourage residents to complete a home inventory checklist, and to assemble an emergency supply kit.
“The best time to prepare for severe weather is when the skies are clear and threats aren’t imminent,” Governor LePage said. “As we’ve seen, strong storms can arrive quickly and cause significant problems. We should all take simple steps to keep our families and property safe, and to be in a position to recover quickly should damage occur.”
Cioppa emphasized the importance of knowing what’s covered by a homeowners policy and making sure coverage is adequate. “Many people are unaware that standard homeowner policies do not cover flooding. They should review their policy, purchase additional coverage if needed, consider whether flood insurance makes sense for them, and complete an inventory of possessions.”
Flood Insurance: Flooding is typically not covered by a standard homeowners policy. Due to a 30-day waiting period for coverage to take effect, quick action is needed for a policy to be in place for later in this year’s hurricane season. Details are available from the National Flood Insurance Program by calling 1-800-427-2419 or online at www.floodsmart.gov. The website includes tools to help homeowners assess their flood risk.
Inventory Checklist: Cioppa emphasized that the checklist can be enormously helpful in establishing an insurance claim. Although a copy of the inventory can be kept at home, a second should always be maintained with insurance policies, medical records, and other important documents in a safety deposit box or other secure location. The inventory should include photos and video of property. A free checklist can be obtained on the Bureau’s website (www.maine.gov/insurance).
Additionally, the Governor and Superintendent encouraged residents to establish an emergency supply kit. It should include several days of drinking water (at least one gallon per person per day), non-perishable packaged or canned foods, a non-electrical can opener and cooking utensil. The kit should also contain first aid materials, necessary medications, basic tools, a battery or crank-operated radio and flashlights, extra batteries and any supplies needed for pets, as well as a list of important names and phone numbers, including insurance company contact information. They also urged Mainers to familiarize themselves with resources provided by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) -- available at www.maine.gov/mema/prepare/.
A listing of Disaster Preparedness Tips from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners accompanies this news release.
The Bureau of Insurance is part of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. Consumers can reach the Bureau at www.maine.gov/insurance; by calling 800-300-5000 in state; or by writing to Bureau of Insurance, 34 State House Station, Augusta ME 04333.
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Disaster Preparedness Tips for Homeowners and Renters from the NAIC
• Take an inventory of your valuables and belongings. This should include taking photographs or a video of each room. This documentation will provide your insurance company with proof of your belongings and help to process claims more quickly in the event of disaster.
• To enable filing claims more quickly, keep sales receipts and/or canceled checks. Also note the model and serial numbers of the items in your home inventory.
• As you acquire more valuables — jewelry, family heirlooms, antiques, art —consider purchasing an additional “floater” or “rider” to your policy to cover these special items. These types of items typically are not covered by a basic homeowners or renter’s insurance policy.
• Remember to include in your home inventory those items you rarely use (e.g., holiday decorations, sports equipment, tools, etc.).
• Store copies of all your insurance policies in a safe location away from your home that is easily accessible in case of disaster. You may want to store your policies and inventory in a waterproof, fireproof box or in a safe, remote location such as a bank safe deposit box. Consider leaving a copy of your inventory with relatives, friends or your insurance provider and store digital pictures in your e-mail or on a Web site for easy retrieval.
• Know what is and is not covered by your insurance policy. You might need additional protection depending on where you live. Make sure your policies are up to date. Contact your insurance provider annually to review and update your insurance policy.
• Keep a readily available list of 24-hour contact information for each of your insurance providers.
• Find out if your possessions are insured for the actual cash value or the replacement cost. Actual cash value is the amount it would take to repair or replace damage to your home or possessions after depreciation while replacement cost is the amount it would take to repair or replace your home or possessions without deducting for depreciation. Speak with your insurance provider to determine whether purchasing replacement coverage is worth the cost.
• Speak with your insurance provider to find out if your policy covers additional living expenses for a temporary residence if you are unable to live in your home due to damage from a disaster.
• Appraise your home periodically to make sure your insurance policy reflects home improvements or renovations. Contact your insurance provider to update your policy accordingly.
