September is National Preparedness Month

I often hear and have asked this question: “Do you and your agency have a disaster plan or disaster preparedness plan in place?” I’ve heard a multitude of responses, from “Yes, we do!”, “We have a plan, but it has been a while since we updated it.”, or “We have a basic guide and have not tested it recently.” The surprising one is “No . . . but we have a backup plan in case of an emergency.” Last I checked, when your building is damaged beyond use, the community’s infrastructure could be down for several days to weeks.

It’s time to take action. Retrieve the disaster plan, convene a meeting with our key disaster plan leads, and diligently update and test it within the agency. Identify areas that need to be added to the plan and promptly communicate this information to your staff, vendors, carriers, and customers. Your proactive approach to regularly reviewing and updating the plan is vital. In the event of a disaster, your preparedness can make a significant difference, allowing you and your staff to activate the plan and continue business, whether in the office or remote locations if needed.

Disaster Preparedness Insurance Tips
In recognition of September as National Preparedness Month, the Ohio Department of Insurance urges Ohioans to review their insurance coverage and ensure they have appropriate insurance protection. Standard policies typically cover water (not floods), wind, hail, fire, and lightning, but additional coverage may be needed for floods and earthquakes. Understanding the wind/hail deductible, whether fixed or percentage-based, is also important. Flooding is typically not covered by standard property policies, so homeowners are encouraged to consider purchasing flood insurance through an insurance agent.

It is essential to know whether belongings are insured at actual cash value (depreciated) or replacement cost. Policies may include coverage for extra costs like debris removal and temporary living expenses, so reviewing these details is key. It’s always a good idea to make time to create an inventory of your possessions and to update it as needed. The inventory, which should include photos and videos of your items, will be invaluable if you file a claim to repair or replace anything damaged. Creating an inventory of possessions is recommended to simplify the claim filing process.

Below are some helpful tips and resources that can assist you in refreshing your agency plan with new resources or information you can provide to your customers to create a disaster plan for their family or household:

• How will you receive emergency alerts and warnings?
• What is your household’s shelter plan?
• What is your evacuation route?
• What is your family/household communication plan?
• Do you need to update your emergency preparedness kit?
• Document and insure your property. You can find information and materials in languages other than English here.
• For more preparedness tips, follow along on Ohio EMA’s social media at Ohio EMA Facebook and Ohio EMA Twitter or visit Ready.Gov.

Additional Downloads

• National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Home Inventory Checklist
• If you prefer to manage your inventory on your mobile device, download NAIC’s free mobile home inventory from your carrier’s app marketplace.
• Preparedness Resources: Be prepared for the emergencies and disasters most common to Ohio.

Remember, disaster preparedness is not a one-time task. It’s a continuous process. Check your plan annually or whenever you’ve had to activate it or need to make changes or updates. If you would like to create a Disaster Plan for your agency or need help updating your plan, contact Jeanie Giesler at jeanie@ohioinsuranceagents.com or call 614-552-1742.

More Information: Seek your trusted advisors Attorney, Banker, and CPA that your legal and financial interests are adequately protected. The information provided in this publication is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. You should consult your legal counsel and make certain that you are in compliance with state law. These laws and rules are subject to change.

Legal Disclaimer: This material is intended to provide you with general background and insight. The material does not constitute, and should not be regarded as, legal advice regarding any particular facts, circumstances, or issues. This material is not intended to serve as a substitute for legal counsel, and we advise you to contact legal counsel for specific analysis, drafting and advice.

Cited Resources

ODI (Ohio Department of Insurance) Newsletter August 30, 2024
National Preparedness Month | Emergency Management Agency (ohio.gov)
Ohio Emergency Management Agency | Emergency Management Agency

About the Author:

Jeannine Giesler, CISR, CPIA, and past President of the OIA Board of Directors, Foundation for the Advancement of Insurance Professionals, currently serves as Resource Center Advisor for the OIA. The purpose of the Resource Center is to contribute to building a comprehensive library of resource materials for our members. We pride ourselves on being the one-stop shop for all OIA members and work to solve every problem or situation you may come across.