by: Matt McWilliams
Homeowners Insurance is supposed to protect us in case of disasters. That is what we have come to expect from our homeowners insurance over the years. But what if the disaster is the costliest in U.S. History? What if your insurance agent?s home and office were destroyed in the disaster also?
That is what happened to many customers and homeowners insurance agents and companies after Katrina hit the Gulf coast. Many agents' homes, offices and insurance Companies' claims centers were in the same situation as their clients due to the storms. So what did they do? They set up ?office? in tents and mobile trailers. Then Hurricane Rita blew away these temporary offices and the agents and companies set them up again. These temporary shelters acted as a communications center for all people in the surrounding areas. Local people would come by to ask questions, meet with their claims adjustors and just catch up on the news with their neighbors. Extreme circumstances dictated unconventional responses: some agents even filed claims for their clients without even talking to the clients just so they could get the claim ?in the queue.? Allstate allowed customers to submit claims through any agent in the country and set up a priority line to assist. They sent email to agents in the areas surrounding the disaster areas to act as messengers by ?word of mouth? to their fellow agents in the effected areas. The larger companies such as State Farm & Allstate that service claims for the national flood Insurance Program even used satellite imagery to determine damage in some neighborhoods that were entirely flooded.
Lessons Learned: Those of us not effected by these disasters can learn a few lessons about coping with future disasters from the thousands of policyholders that are still waiting to get their claims paid. As soon as possible, take steps to prevent further damage to your home if possible: such as covering the roof with a tarp if possible. You can hire a contractor if you can find one, as that would be safer for most of us than climbing on our roofs. Hold off making any repairs until you see or talk to an adjuster first. Plus, keep your receipts, as you?ll need them to prove expenses that can be re-imbursed later.
You can generally expect your homeowners insurance to help pay for additional living expenses for up to 12-24 months while your home is being repaired. But, homeowners insurance usually pays only after they verify you have a legitimate claim. After Katrina, many insurers made an exception, automatically distributing enough to cover two weeks? worth of additional living expense to anyone in an area subject to mandatory evacuation. Some companies even gave small advances on contents under the personal property part of their homeowners insurance policies.
If you have to wait to get your check, it helps to have cash that is easily accessible in a bank account or money market fund. Stashing cash at home isn?t a great idea because if your home burns down and you weren?t able to get to your cash, most homeowners insurance policies only cover $100-$200 in cash whether it is stolen or burned up in a fire. Your goal should be to have an emergency fund available to take care of your family for 2-4 weeks (minimum)if possible. In a disaster it might be hard to even find a local bank to get cash. Debit/credit cards with a statewide or national bank would perhaps be better.
Your biggest problem in getting your claim handled may be in either not having the proper homeowners insurance coverage or not having enough coverage. Most good homeowners insurance policies today cover up to 120% of your dwelling coverage limit. It is important that you review the dwelling limit with your agent every couple of year?s at a minimum. Homeowners insurance policies do not cover Flooding, but you should again see your agent for this coverage.
If your homeowners insurance falls short, you may qualify for money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or a disaster-assistance loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Homeowners can borrow up to $200,000 for rebuilding and $40,000 to replace personal property at very low interest rates for up to 30 years.
You may reprint this article on your site or in your newsletter with proper credit to the author and a simple link to http://www.hometownquotes.com.
About The Author
Matt McWilliams is one of the co-founders of www.HometownQuotes.Com, an online insurance quotes web site. He is originally from Pinebluff, NC and attended Middle Tennessee State University. He is considered an expert in the field of online insurance shopping and finding new ways to help consumers save money on their insurance. For more information visit http://www.hometownquotes.com. MattRMcWilliams@HometownQuotes.com
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Critical Illness Insurance And Life Insurance Cover For Better And For Worse.
Critical Illness Insurance And Life Insurance Cover For Better And For Worse.
by: Rachel Lane
There are three main types of insurance cover you can buy to protect yourself and your family: life insurance, private medical insurance and critical illness insurance. If you want your financial health to be completely bionic then you could choose all three types of insurance, but if your family finances are more restricted, it might be better to insure yourself with critical illness insurance and life insurance. Critical illness insurance should not be confused with private medical insurance or even income protection insurance and it?s important that you do a full evaluation of your needs before you pursue the different insurance options.
The purpose of critical illness cover (CIC) is to fill a gap that is left by traditional life insurance policies, which will only provide a pay-out on the death of the policy holder. CIC provides a tax free lump...
Critical Illness Insurance And Life Insurance Cover For Better And For Worse.
Insurance > Critical Illness Insurance And Life Insurance Cover For Better And For Worse.
Why Should I Even Bother To Buy A Life Insurance?
Why Should I Even Bother To Buy A Life Insurance?
by: Derek Gardner
Numerous economic experts believe life insurance to be the basis of sound economic planning. It is in general a cost-effective way to take care about your loved ones after you are departed. It can be an important instrument in many ways.
Income substitute
For the majority of people, their main financial asset is their capability to make a living. If you have people depending on you, then you need to think about what would happen to them if they suddenly do not have your income to count on. Income from a life insurance policy can help complement retirement income. This can be particularly useful if the benefits of your surviving other half or family partner will be reduced after you pass away.
Pay your debts
Think of life insurance so that your loved ones have the money to pay for the funeral, credit card debts unpaid and medical expenses not covered by health...
Why Should I Even Bother To Buy A Life Insurance?
Insurance > Why Should I Even Bother To Buy A Life Insurance?
Loan Payment Protection Insurance ? Worth The Cost?
Loan Payment Protection Insurance ? Worth The Cost?
by: Joseph Kenny
Nowadays, every time you apply for a loan you will most likely be offered payment protection insurance. If you are taking out a particularly large loan, the idea may seem very attractive. These insurance policies will take over repayments on your loans in the event of losing your job or being involved in a medical emergency. But what are the true costs and benefits of this type of insurance? Given that over a billion pounds is spent in Britain on this kind of insurance annually, it is worth asking yourself.
The Cost Of Insurance
The fact of the matter is that the lending industry has become more and more competitive in recent years. With interest rates getting lower and lower, lenders have sought to find out ways of increasing their returns. One of the ways they have come up with is to offer various additional products that accompany the loan, such as payment protection...
Loan Payment Protection Insurance ? Worth The Cost?
Insurance > Loan Payment Protection Insurance ? Worth The Cost?
The Four Chief Types of Life Insurance
The Four Chief Types of Life Insurance
by: Evan Davis
Life insurance, at its core, is a means to protect the financial security of one's survivors. It is generally thought of as a way to provide income replacement for a wage earner's survivors in the event of death.
Life insurance is purchased from an insurer by making regular payments of premiums during the life of the insured.
Upon the death of the insured, designated beneficiaries receive a financial benefit.
Although all life insurance policies maintain those consistent characteristics, there are different means to achieving the same end.
Four distinct types of life insurance have been developed and are in common usage.
*Term Life Insurance
Term life insurance is probably the most basic form of life insurance.
Term insurance is purchased for a specific period of time (the term).
The length of the term can vary considerably.
Insurance > The Four Chief Types of Life Insurance
Credit Cards ? Other Benefits
Credit Cards ? Other Benefits
by: Rudy Hadisentosa
Credit cards are here to stay for the multiple benefits associated with them. We already know that credit cards act as a convenient payment mode for shopping, they are safer to carry as compared to cash, they help build a credit rating which can be used for getting fast approval on loans etc, and they are there to help when you need credit. However, there are other benefits too which one should be aware of as well. Let?s check what these other benefits are:
1. Travel Insurance
A lot of credit cards have travel insurance built into them as an inherent feature. So if you are one of those who travel frequently, this benefit could be a real boon. However, you should always check if this travel insurance is enough for you. Also check the terms and conditions associated with such insurance. Loss of baggage is something which is almost invariably covered with such insurance.
2. Discounts...
Credit Cards ? Other Benefits
Insurance > Credit Cards ? Other Benefits
The Life Insurance Policy and What You Need to Know Before You Buy
The Life Insurance Policy and What You Need to Know Before You Buy
by: Don Adams
Are you looking to buy a life insurance policy?
Well, be careful. Life insurance can be difficult to understand and it's easy to be conned into buying something under false pretenses.
Recently a prominent life insurance company together with several of its agents paid a huge fine because it permitted the sale of a life insurance policy disguised as a retirement plan.
There was little attention given to what a life insurance policy is truly designed to provide.
Life insurance is not an investment for your benefit.
It's guaranteed income tax-free cash paid to someone you designate in the event of your death.
If you deeply care for someone and want to protect them, then buying a life insurance policy makes sense.
As primary bread winner in your family, your lost income could jeopardize the ability of those you love to...
The Life Insurance Policy and What You Need to Know Before You Buy
Insurance > The Life Insurance Policy and What You Need to Know Before You Buy
How Do I Choose A Good Insurance Company For My Needs?
How Do I Choose A Good Insurance Company For My Needs?
by: Matt Clarkson
It?s easy to see which company is least expensive, but when you need them to cover a claim, what kind of job will they do? To put it another way, which is the most reliable insurance company?
Here?s some quick tips to help you choose the right insurance company for you.
- Visit your state's department of insurance and check consumer complaint ratios and basic rate comparison surveys.
- Get in touch with local body medical practitioners you trust and ask which insurance companies they recommend.
- Consider contacting an insurance agent for additional information about a particular insurance company.
- Check out the financial strength ratings for an insurance company by referring to the A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's ratings.
There?s so much to think about when looking for the right insurance company; we?ve already...
How Do I Choose A Good Insurance Company For My Needs?
Insurance > How Do I Choose A Good Insurance Company For My Needs?
Business Insurance ? And What You Need To Know
Business Insurance ? And What You Need To Know
by: Vickie Scanlon
Getting your business up and running is exciting, challenging and hard work. You?re finally making money ? and you are the driving force that is making your business grow. But have you taken care of the ?What ifs?. Like ? ?What if I get sick, how do I pay my bills? or ?What if I have a fire, how do I keep my business running?. Simply put, the one thing you do not want is to have the business that you have labored so tirelessly on, hit a financial snag.
If you are a sole proprietor or a partnership ? both your business and personal liabilities are at risk. Do you think you?re safe if you incorporate or have an LLC? Many are misled into believing this is so, however, you too can become personally liable if you sign a personal guarantee on a loan, personally injure someone or act irresponsibility. As you will see, owning business liability insurance can and does protects your business...
Business Insurance ? And What You Need To Know
Insurance > Business Insurance ? And What You Need To Know
voip Insurance Homeowners Insurance: Lessons from Katrina and other gulf storms.
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