(CNN) — No part of the United States is safe from the risk of extreme weather events, which have hit with increasing force in recent years.
From wildfires and tornadoes to hurricanes and floods to prolonged heat waves, the potential damage that extreme weather can cause to people, animals and property is high, especially if you are a homeowner living in or near high-risk areas.
However, there are steps you can take right now to help speed up the repair and recovery process after a devastating storm, should you ever be directly affected.
In addition to the essential physical items your family and pets may need if you have to evacuate or shelter in place, prepare an administrative emergency kit, so to speak, both physical and virtual.
“Things can happen very quickly. You should have a go-bag with all your important documents in an easy-to-remember and easy-to-access place,” said Loretta Worters, a spokeswoman for the Insurance Information Institute. “You can get an insurance check pretty quickly if you have all the paperwork.”
Visually document what you own
Consider, for example, forest fires. According to the III, at least 38 states are at risk of suffering from them. A forest fire can reduce your home and all your belongings to ashes. “When [tu casa] “It burns down, there’s nothing left to show what it has,” Worters said.
That’s why it’s recommended to take photos or videos of your home and its contents, even with your cell phone. Save them in the cloud and, if possible, keep a physical copy with your important documents or on a USB flash drive.
Also, include a current photo of your pet, in case you get separated.
If you’re ever hit by a devastating weather event, be sure to take photos shortly after impact so you can better tell your before-and-after story to insurers, said Keith Turi, acting director of response and recovery for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage
Having sufficient insurance is critical to preserving finances and sanity after a disaster. In 2023 alone, there were nearly $80 billion in insured losses due to 89 natural catastrophes in the U.S., such as wildfires and floods, according to the III.
So, periodically check that the policies you have cover you against the type of extreme weather event that may occur and cover the cost of what you want to replace.
For example, Worters said, stay informed about rebuilding costs. They may be higher than you think.
Keep in mind that if you live in a flood-prone area, standard homeowners policies typically don’t cover flood damage. To learn more about potential flood costs and how to get flood insurance, you can visit floodsmart.gov, Turi said.
Finally, check to see if your belongings coverage will allow you to be fully protected, or sufficiently protected. Most homeowners policies’ coverage for belongings amounts to between 50% and 70% of the value of your home’s structure, Worters said. So for every $100,000 of coverage for your home’s structure, you could have between $50,000 and $70,000 of coverage for your belongings in the home, from your furniture and household items to your piano.
Keep a physical copy of your insurance coverage and your home’s title and deed in a waterproof bag or container.
Gather your emergency contacts
Make an emergency contact list to keep with your other documents that includes policy and account numbers for all of your insurance policies, as well as phone numbers, emails, and website addresses for insurers, such as health and prescription; home, auto, and life; and any pet coverage you may have.
Also include contact information and account numbers for your bank, investment and retirement accounts on your list.
If you have pets, include contact information for your veterinarian and any accommodation you may need if you ever have to evacuate. Or, alternatively, the names of pet-friendly places where the whole family can stay.
You can also add a FEMA helpline number to your list so you can register for assistance after a disaster: 800-621-3362.
Other essentials you should have on hand
Other key documents that III recommends having on hand to throw in your travel bag are your birth and marriage certificates, passports, a driver’s license (unless you carry it in your wallet), your most recent tax return, any paper stock certificates, and your will.
Since you may need to pay initially for hotel or motel rooms and meals immediately after a disaster, the national public service campaign Ready recommends having cash or traveler’s checks available in your emergency kit. Another option if you have more than one credit card is to use the second or third card sparingly, so that you have enough credit below that card’s limit to pay for those immediate expenses.
