Hurricanes, blizzards, wind storms, ice and hail….yes it is that time of year! We hope for the best but sometimes Mother Nature has other plans, are you covered? 

Before bad weather hits it is a good idea to make sure that you have the appropriate coverage in place not only for your home but also for your vehicles and your business. Earlier this year not only were homes and businesses damaged, but so were thousands of cars, when an unexpected hail storm hit our area. 

Discuss coverage for your home with your agent, you want to be sure that your home and your belongings are covered appropriately. Talk to your agent about any new purchases you may have made, additions to your home, or renovations; finding out after the storm you didn’t have enough coverage is hard lesson to learn. 

Talk to your agent about your car. Do you have coverage if your car is damaged by hail, if so is it enough? What about your deductible, perhaps you want to lower it. Ask about replacement coverage, many insurers offer this on newer vehicles. 

Your business is just as important as your home and car if not more so. Are your coverage limits adequate? Do you have loss of income coverage assuming you cannot operate your business due to a covered loss? Remember to review your coverages regularly with your agent, even small changes like adding new equipment or a few extra people can change your coverage needs. If bad weather hits don’t put yourself in a situation you can’t dig out of. 

Liability claims associated with tripping and falling on improperly removed ice and snow can have a serious impact upon your rates and marketability, chose the right coverage for your needs.

To help ease the stress of making a claim take a few precautionary steps like these: 

• Keep your business and home exterior and interior well maintained
• Remove or prune any vegetation that may cause damage in a storm
• Clean gutters to allow for free flow of water and prevent ice damming
• Have your chimney cleaned 
• Have your heating system cleaned if you have an oil burner 
• Park under cover or in a garage if possible 
• Keep walkways free and clear of debris, ice and snow 
• Clean off ice and snow build up from the roof - consider installing an ice shield and roof warmers 

To find out more about the best coverage for you and how to protect from potential weather damage talk to your agent.