What’s in Your Policy? Do You Have The Right Coverages?
First, let’s start with the safety factors for tornado season. We’re going to cover Missouri Home Insurance | Protection Before Tornado Season. While no home can ever be made “tornado-proof,” homeowners prepare for tornadoes ahead of time can improve the odds of their home surviving high winds by taking these precautions.
According to wikipedia, a tornado watch is issued when weather conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms that are capable of producing tornadoes. In most cases, the potential exists for large hail and/or damaging winds in addition to tornadoes.
A watch does not mean that the severe weather is actually occurring, only that atmospheric conditions have created a significant risk for it. If severe weather actually does occur, a tornado warning or severe thunderstorm warning would then be issued. Note that a watch is not required for a warning to be issued; tornado warnings are occasionally issued when a severe thunderstorm watch is active, or when no watches are in effect), if a severe thunderstorm develops and has a confirmed tornado or strong rotation.
Take these additional steps to protect yourself and your family:
- Decide where your safe place is going to be. An interior room, basement or local shelter. When a tornado approaches, go there immediately. If you have no time to get to shelter, head to the center most part of your basement or home — away from windows and preferably under something sturdy like a workbench or staircase. The more walls between you and the outside, the better.
- Become familiar with your community’s severe weather warning system and make certain every adult and teenager in your family knows what to do when a tornado watch or warning sounds.
- Learn about your workplace’s disaster safety plans and similar measures at your children’s schools or day care centers.
- Create a family plan in case you are able to move to a community shelter and identify escape routes from your home and neighborhood and designate an emergency meeting place for your family to reunite if you become separated.
- Establish a contact point to communicate with concerned relatives. Keep in mind, when a tragedy hits a large geographical area, everyone is calling someone, or emergency departments from their cell phone.
- Keep an emergency kit readily available. Include a three-day supply of drinking water and food you don’t have to refrigerate or cook; first aid supplies; a portable weather radio; a wrench and other basic tools; a flashlight (there are flashlights with a wind up power source versus the need for batteries. Consider extras like work gloves; portable lanterns; clothing; blankets; baby items.
- Move anything in your yard that can become flying debris inside your house or garage before a storm strikes. Do this only if authorities have announced a tornado watch, however. If authorities have announced a tornado warning, leave it all alone.
- Don’t open your windows. You won’t save the house, as once thought, and you may actually make things worse by giving wind and rain a chance to get inside.
A tornado can seriously impact many areas of your life – your home, your apartment, your car, your business! WE CARE!
There are many ways to purchase Missouri Home Insurance. For homeowners to make sure they have the right protection in place, it is highly recommended to meet with a licensed insurance professional to review your policy. There are many choices in coverages, endorsements, discounts, and more. It can be a bit overwhelming, and our agents at MJM Insurance of Fenton can help.
Home Insurance policies in Missouri can be very different and the price of insurance varies based off the risk of the home, location, etc. If you can think of anything, realize that you’re not buying a commodity; you’re protecting your financial well being…and the choices you make could affect you for the rest of your life. After you read this post, check out our page for additional Missouri Home Insurance at Missouri Home Insurance Information.
Our motto is “Expect More. Receive More.” MJM Insurance of Fenton is a full service independent insurance agency representing many of Missouri’s premier personal and commercial insurance carriers. With a combined experience of over 70 years in the Missouri insurance industry, our agents are knowledgeable and competent specializing in, not only home insurance, but also auto, renters, boat, motorcycle, business automobile, workers compensation, and general liability. With our utilization of cutting edge automation, we’re able to provide superior service to our clients including A+ rated insurance products.
So, let’s get together and review your homeowners insurance policy to make sure you have sufficient coverage to rebuild your life and home after a tornado. Report any property damage to your insurance agent or company representative immediately after a natural disaster and make temporary repairs to prevent further damage. For information about filing an insurance claim after a natural disaster, contact MJM Insurance of Fenton.
Here are a few link for you to become prepared, protect your family – including your pets!
Here in the USA, tornadoes have occurred in every month, so any time is a good time to review tornado safety procedures – for home, for school, for work, in the car, and while out and about. And if you are considering a storm shelter, take a look at Tornado Project Online to learn more about shelters.
If you don’t regularly watch or listen to the weather report, but strange clouds start moving in and the weather begins to look stormy, turn to your local radio/television station or visit www.weather.com to get the weather forecast.
Remember, if a tornado “watch” is issued for your area, it means that a tornado is “possible.” If a tornado “warning” is issued, it means that a tornado has actually been spotted, or is strongly indicated on radar, and it is time to go to a safe shelter immediately.
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Source: Institute for Business and Home Safety. IBHS is a national nonprofit initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters.
Missouri Home Insurance | Protection Before Tornado Season
