September is National Preparedness Month, which reminds us to review our insurance policies to determine what perils are and are not covered, as well as to decide which risk management steps to take to lessen the potential impact of a loss.
Nearly the entire East Coast felt the recent Virginia earthquake to some degree. While there was little to no damage in Rock Hill and the rest of York County, it was a reminder that we are not immune from natural disasters (if this year’s storms hadn’t already convinced you). Couple the earthquake with Hurricane Irene’s near-miss of South Carolina, and things could have been much worse for our state.
From an insurance perspective, it is very important for you to know that while your standard homeowners policy covers many causes of loss, earthquakes and floods are usually not included; these typically need to be purchased separately. Even if your home is not in a flood zone, a hurricane or heavy rain could still cause damage. As Ann Roberson, spokeswoman for the South Carolina Department of Insurance, states, “Everyone lives in a flood zone. It just depends how severe the flooding might be.”
We are not out of the woods with natural disasters yet. We are in peak hurricane season, and winter, which brings snow and ice storms, is not too far away. It is never too early to start thinking about how to prepare for these events. If you need help reviewing your policy or need tips on how to prepare for a natural disaster, call us today.