Be prepared: Forecasters, insurance reps. offer tips to weather the storm

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (TX)

March 27--With severe storm season picking up on the South Plains, the National Weather Service and area insurance representatives are urging area residents to be prepared.

Although it's been a dry first few months of 2018, storms and rain chances are building this week, with Monday seeing thunderstorms on the Rolling Plains east of the Caprock and a 60 percent chance for thunderstorms in Lubbock and points west on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service in Lubbock.

There are different ways to prepare and have a back-up plan in the event of a storm that causes severe property damage, said Mark Hanna, a spokesperson for the Insurance Council of Texas who was recently in Lubbock on a tour promoting preparedness.

"This is our second year to head to the state's hail belt and tornado alley to alert residents to what type of insurance coverage they need to protect their property," Hanna said in a statement. "If Texans will take just a minute to check out their insurance coverage, they will be that much better prepared for whatever storm comes their way."

In a statement, Patrick Marsh from the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma said it can be difficult to predict the severity of a thunderstorm season because it just takes one big event.

"It's really a perception issue when it comes down to storm prediction," Marsh said. "We can predict a quiet year for storms and be correct, but one bad storm striking a major metropolitan area will leave a lot of people thinking it was a very bad year."

Beyond having renter's insurance or home owner's insurance coverage to help replace property, advocates said residents should be proactive ahead of a potential disaster to help reduce stress in the aftermath.

"One of the things we push is home inventory," said Chris Pilcic, media specialist with State Farm. "It's easy to remember big stuff, like your TV, washer and dryer. Open that one drawer in your kitchen and count your batteries, your paper clips, your pens. How many spoons and forks do you have, how many pairs of jeans?"

Pilcic said it's also great to be prepared to leave your home in the event of a thunderstorm, tornado or flood producing damage making it uninhabitable.

"You need to be ready to leave your home if it's in danger, possibly for several days," he said. "Prepare yourself emotionally to go back to potentially nothing. So, if you do have to rebuild, do you know what the contents are?"

Hanna acknowledged it can be stressful for homeowners dealing with insurance claims in the aftermath of a natural disaster and urged policy holders to know what their policy covers and doesn't cover. Most home insurance policies don't cover flood damage, which is covered in a separate policy that some homeowners are required to take out if they're in a flood zone.

Pilcic said that, in dealing with roof damages after a bad thunderstorm or hail storm, it's better to call your insurance agent first and then get multiple bids from different roofing companies.

"What (State Farm) usually recommends is asking friends and neighbors who have been victims in the past," said Pilcic.

Hanna said it's always good to have your insurance agent's name and phone number at the ready to help speed up the process of recovery.

The insurance council offered a list of tips and advice for the upcoming storm season, including:

- Talk with your agent or company to confirm that your coverage provides the needed protection for your property in the event of a catastrophic storm.

- Conduct an inventory of your personal property with your camera. Whether it is a fire, tornado or flood, your insurance company will need to verify what you lost.

- Know the name of your insurance agency and company, so that you can contact them promptly in the event of a damaging storm.

- Take photos and video of any storm damage and keep receipts of anything needed to prevent further damage to your home until permanent repairs can be made.

- After a loss, make sure you have contacted your agent or insurance company before you start any major repairs.

- Avoid contractors and others who are attempting to take advantage of your loss. This includes building contractors and unlicensed adjusters who enter town after a storm to take advantage of the situation. If the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Work with building contractors who live in the area and have built a good reputation.

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