Storm Damage Protection in 5 Easy Steps

Finding yourself in the midst of a violent storm can be a terrifying experience, but if you fail to adequately prepare your home for storm damage, you might be stuck in an even scarier situation: being stuck making mortgage payments on a destroyed home.

Here are five easy steps to guard your home against storm damage and keep your family and property safe.

Step 1—Review Home Insurance Coverage

Waiting until a storm approaches isn't the ideal time to review your home insurance policy. As a homeowner, you should review your home insurance coverage often so you'll have time to make any necessary changes to your policy. What are you covered for? What's excluded? How much is your deductible? Do you need more coverage?

For example, while storm damage is covered by a typical home insurance policy, flood damage is not. Flood insurance policies must be purchased separately and carry a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect. Waiting until a storm is just hours away to purchase coverage will leave you out in the cold when repairing storm damage.

Step 2—Before the Storm

While making sure your home is covered from storm damage is important, keeping yourself and your family safe during a storm is more important. Emergency supplies should always be kept on hand. Canned food items, bottled water, flashlights, a battery-operated radio, sheets and blankets, plenty of winter clothing, essential prescription drugs and emergency cash should be close at hand at all times.

An emergency evacuation plan should be in place for every member of the household. Identify the nearest storm shelter, and suggest a meeting point should family members get separated. If you have any pets, take them with you or arrange for an animal shelter to house them during the storm.

Step 3—Brace Your Home for Storm Damage

There are some basic things you can do to protect your home from storm damage. Install storm shutters or cover windows to prevent window breakage. Check for loose siding on your home and secure it if necessary. If you need to evacuate, turn off all your utilities and disconnect any electrical item in your home. Water and electricity don't mix, so any device left connected is a potential fire hazard.

Step 4—Take a Home Inventory

While the outside of your home might be most prone to storm damage, your personal belongings are also at risk in a storm. Because of this, documenting your personal possessions with a home inventory is highly recommended. Having a home inventory makes filing a home insurance claim simpler, and can help expedite the claims process.

To make a home inventory, list, take photographs or video of your personal possessions. Include receipts, model and serial numbers of each item, if possible. A home inventory can include clothing, jewelry, furniture, personal computers and other personal property. It is a good idea to keep a copy of your home inventory in an outside location, like a safe deposit box or trusted family member's home.

It is recommended that a home inventory be taken before an impending catastrophe, but it can be done at any time.

Step 5—After the Storm

With storm damage to your home you will need to file a claim with your insurance company—do so as soon as possible. The earlier you file a home insurance claim, the faster it will be processed. Also, you may be required to file your claim within a certain timeframe, so don't delay. Incomplete or inaccurate information can result in a delayed claim, so make sure you have all necessary paperwork in-hand when contacting your home insurance company.

Make minor repairs to storm damage that will prevent further damage to your home, like fixing broken windows or mending a leaky roof. For permanent storm damage repairs, wait until your insurance company has examined the property. If you have storm damaged property, do not throw it away until the claims adjuster inspects it.

If you're in need of home insurance to protect from storm damage—or are just looking for a more affordable home insurance rate—you’re in luck. With InsWeb.com you can compare multiple home insurance quotes from top companies. Keep your home protected from storm damage with these five steps and with a solid home insurance policy.