Hurricane awareness week proclaimed by Obama

One disaster that could cause consumers to have to tap into their home insurance is a hurricane, and President Barack Obama recently urged Americans to be prepared.

The president signed a declaration that made May 23-29 National Hurricane Preparedness Week. During that time, members of the government have encouraged people to have a disaster plan in place while also reviewing their home insurance coverage.

"While hurricane forecasting has improved, storms may still develop with little warning," Obama said. "For Americans in hurricane-threatened areas, knowledge and preparation are pivotal to ensure emergency readiness and responsiveness."

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said that homeowners should have a disaster kit ready for these, and other, types of storms. The kit should include batteries, a flashlight, a radio and any important documents.

Because home insurance policies may cover expenses associated with evacuation, industry experts note that people should keep any receipts from hotel stays and food purchases. Once homeowners are let back into their area, they should assess damage as soon as possible and contact their insurance provider to start the claims process.

Posted in: Business Insurance, Home Insurance

Business Insurance News: This article was published on 5-28-2010 at 10:18 am.

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