Properly Prepare Clients For Destructive Storms

<div>By Ross Swisher <a style="color: blue" href="http://www.insurancenewsnet.com" target="_blank">InsuranceNewsNet</a> <div> </div> This past spring was one of the roughest, most brutal seasons we have seen in quite some time. From flooding to tornadoes and severe hail storms, our clients, their homes and their possessions have all been affected by the destructive forces of Mother Nature.</div> As an Ohio insurance provider we have seen our fair share of nature’s wrath — May’s severe storms alone produced a record $322 million worth of damage across the state. It has been estimated that nearly 68,000 insurance claims have been filed across the state as a result of the wicked weather. At least nine tornadoes hit our state, during the month of May — more specifically, over the course of just three days. It was the violent rain, hail and treacherous winds that really did significant damage. Then there our neighbors in Joplin, Miss., who suffered tremendous loss during a tornado so fierce that I’m sure it made many of us reconsider our priorities and be thankful for what we have. During a season of unruly weather, what can we do to help our clients rebuild and repair? It’s simple — always be an open, honest and true resource of valuable information for them. The following are some tips to help guide you and your clients through the cleanup process, as easily as possible: • Remind clients to take pictures of the damage immediately once it is safe to do so. Make sure that they leave their home as it is – do not attempt any serious repairs until everything has been documented. The goal is to have an accurate, reliable assessment made to help with the outcome of their claim. • Explain how to make a home disaster kit to help them in the event of future storms. Inside a water-tight container, they should include their necessary insurance information, a disposable camera, duct tape, tarps, waterproof markers and any other vital information, such as emergency contact numbers and copies of each family member’s birth certificates and driver’s licenses. • Encourage clients to ask questions and save all paperwork that they may collect or receive throughout the claims process. Our role as insurance providers is to educate and help protect the consumer. It is important that they understand everything that occurs while filing their claim. The weather is unpredictable, but the coverage you provide individuals, families and businesses shouldn’t be. <a style="color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline" href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ross-swisher/26/597/66a" target="_blank">Ross Swisher</a><a style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline" href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ross-swisher/26/597/66a" target="_blank">,</a> Principal at Insurance Plus Agencies, has been in the industry since 1987 when he started as a personal lines agent. He received his CIC in 1995 and began writing <a style="color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline" href="http://www.myinsplus.com/insurance-solutions/business-insurance/" target="_blank">Ohio business insurance</a><a style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline" href="http://www.myinsplus.com/insurance-solutions/business-insurance/" target="_blank"> </a>policies before becoming a co-owner and principal at his current Ohio agency. © Entire contents copyright 2011 by <a style="color: #0000ff; font-size: 8pt; text-decoration: underline" href="http://www.insurancenewsnet.com" target="_blank">InsuranceNewsNet.com</a>, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted without the expressed written consent from <a style="color: #0000ff; font-size: 8pt; text-decoration: underline" href="http://www.insurancenewsnet.com" target="_blank">InsuranceNewsNet.com</a>.