South Carolina's oldest insurance agency
Hurricane Planning - Insurance Checkup...
We at C. T. Lowndes & Company urge you to think about your insurance before a hurricane disaster occurs. Understand that you must have a flood insurance policy in order to have coverage for damage done by the hurricane surge or any flooding associated with a hurricane. Here are our suggestions:
- Review your insurance coverage with your agent and make sure you know what the policy covers.
- Do you have flood insurance? There is usually a 30 day waiting period before a flood policy becomes effective. If you have a higher valued home, do you need excess flood insurance (above the $250,000 maximum dwelling limit of the National Flood Program)? Does your flood policy provide coverage on contents?
- Do you have wind insurance? If you live on a beach in a very high valued house, do you need excess wind insurance? Does your wind policy provide coverage on contents?
- Are you aware of your deductibles for flood damage and wind damage? Many companies use higher percentage deductibles for wind/named storm/hurricane. Make sure you know which type deductible you have. Does this deductible apply only to the dwelling or does it apply separately to contents?
- Make sure you know how to report a hurricane claim. Some insurance companies can be contacted directly by telephone and some allow claims to be reported via their website. Remember it may be difficult to contact your agent after the storm has struck if his office was in the path of the storm.
- Write down your insurance company name, your policy numbers, effective dates, agent's name and phone number, and the phone number to whom to report your claim. Put this information in your wallet or vehicle in case you evacuate.
- Update your household inventory. Make a list, takes pictures or videotape your personal belongings and store the inventory in a safe place outside your home.
- If you need additional insurance, purchase it NOW. Do not wait as you cannot buy property insurance after a hurricane watch/warning has been issued and some companies restrict the writing of new business even earlier.
Please call your agent at C. T. Lowndes & Company today!!
