Protecting Your Home From A Natural Disaster

Natural disasters are mother nature's way of unleashing her fury. May it be a volcanic eruption, flood, hurricane, and fire, she continually proves to us that she's the boss. The most common among them all is flooding.

A flood can occur any time it rains or when a hurricane is coming. It can happen anywhere, even in areas that are not prone to flooding. It is one of the most devastating disasters as it not only destroys your property but can also lead to significant economic and social consequences.
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Here are measures to ready you and your family from flooding:

Getting Flood Insurance
The first step to make sure your property and belongings are protected is by flood insurance.  Standard home insurance doesn't cover flood damage. Do an annual check-up with your insurance company to make sure you have the right coverage you need.

Creating A Home Inventory
Filing an insurance claim can be easier and faster once you make a list of all your items. You can create a simple checklist through a spreadsheet with the item's corresponding description. Or documenting photos or videos of them on your phone. Just see to it that it's stored in a safe place where you can remember them.

Storing Important Documents In Moisture-Free Space
Nobody wants to go through the hassle of registering documents numerous times. Keep your birth certificates, passports, receipts, and other important paperwork in a dry place. You can store them in a watertight box if you have one.

Actions To Minimize Flood Losses
After following the measures above, it's time you take these steps to minimize your potential losses from flooding. These steps can be achieved outside and inside your home.

For Exterior Areas

• Clean drains and gutters from debris
• Change landscaping of sunken areas outside your home if necessary
• Consider options such as a rain garden, vegetated marsh, or porous pavements to allow water absorption when it rains
• Provide a rain barrel
• Elevate utilities and service equipment

For Interior Areas

• Valuable items such as your furniture should be above the expected flood level.
• Seal cracks of foundation and basement walls
•  Install flood vents to allow floodwater to seep outside your home
•  Use flood-resistant building materials like ceramic tile or vinyl for your wooden floorboards.

Conclusion
With proper preparations, you can reduce the damage to your property brought upon by flooding. Your house is an investment, so it's only right that you should come prepared with any possible risk encounters.

At McClain Matthews Insurance, we put our clients first by offering them policies that they can afford. Having insurance is a necessity nowadays, and we're here to help you out. Learn more about our products and services by calling our agency at  (317) 298-7500. You can also request a free quote by CLICKING HERE. Coverage discussed in this article is not guaranteed. Please contact our agents to find out information about your specific policy. We are happy to help you obtain the coverage you need!