Recent Rash of Tornadoes Across the US is a Reminder to Homeowners: Double Check Insurance Policies

Tornadoes throughout the South and Midwest in recent weeks are causing havoc with families and their homes. Don’t forget to make sure your homeowner’s policy is up to date and includes coverage for wind, floods, and severe storms.

Even though a homeowner’s policy can’t build a fortress around a home to protect it, at least the policy can provide the necessary funds to rebuild a home in the event of a natural disaster. The strong winds associated with tornadoes can be catastrophic and families can lose their homes in minutes.

Be proactive and make sure any insurance policycovers both the house itself and any specific items the homeowner would like reimbursement for: “While tornadoes may not be specifically mentioned as a covered form of loss, tornado losses are one event covered under the broader term windstorm. Windstorm includes tornadoes, straight-line winds, and hurricanes. However, there may be instances where coverage and deductibles may apply specifically to hurricanes and not to all windstorms.” (Homeowner’s Insurance Guide, April 30, 2014)

“A homeowner’s insurance policy may cover damage to the home but not all the valuables inside,” says Frank N. Darras, America’s top insurance lawyer. “Be careful to take a complete inventory of the property and all it contains because most people store a lot of expensive items and antiques in their home. If your house burns down or is ravaged by a tornado, you won’t get reimbursed for any valuables unless they have been itemized or scheduled. This is as easy as making a video of the property and all it contains and will only take about 15 to 20 minutes to accomplish. These few minutes could save you thousands later on.”

Homeowner’s insurance provides various types of coverage based on the type of policy purchased. Those living in tornado-prone areas will want to invest in more than just a basic policy because it many not cover certain types of damage to the property. Through smart strategizing, homeowner’s can protect their property and valuables from major coverage gaps in order to get the benefits they deserve.

“Insurance can be a confusing ordeal for many people, which is why I always recommend talking with an expert. There are so many different parts of any insurance policy that it can become overwhelming fairly quickly. With homeowner’s insurance, you’ll want someone to guide you through the policy from beginning to end as a way to make sure everything will be covered in the event of a natural disaster like a tornado. Get your policy organized today and make a copy in the hands to send to a friend or relative in a different region, before the next storm hits,” says Darras.