Wednesday, April 3, 2002

Oxendine offers tips for severe weather awareness

Insurance Commissioner John W. Oxendine wants to remind homeowners of some important insurance tips to protect their property from tornadoes, flooding and other severe weather. Now is also a good time to review your insurance coverage, he added.

March, April and May are considered prime months for tornadoes to strike in Georgia. In recent years deadly tornadoes in late winter and early spring caused severe damage in northeast Georgia, the metro Atlanta area, and in several Southwest Georgia counties.

"Severe Weather Awareness Week is a good reminder for all consumers to review their homeowners policies and familiarize themselves with the steps they should take to minimize property damage and financial hardship caused by these storms," Commissioner Oxendine said. "Tornado season is just around the corner, and we want all Georgians to be prepared."

Commissioner Oxendine offers these reminders and tips:

While a standard homeowner's insurance policy covers damage from high winds and tornadoes, it does not cover damage from flooding. A separate policy must be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program, and can only be purchased if your community participates in the national program. However, a standard mobile home policy can cover damage caused by floods. Check your policy.

Make a list of all valuables, furniture, electronics, etc., and photograph or videotape your possessions. Keep copies of the list, photographs and videotape in a safe place outside your home. If your home is damaged or destroyed in a natural disaster, it may be difficult for you to tell your insurance agent what you lost without proof.

Keep your insurance policy numbers and your agent's phone number in a safe place as well.

If disaster strikes, contact your agent or insurance company immediately.

Protect your property from further damage. For example, if your roof is damaged, cover it with tarp to prevent water damage from subsequent rain. Most policies will not cover such damage.

Make sure you understand the difference between actual cash value (ACV) and replacement cost coverage for your contents, and obtain the coverage that best suits your needs. An ACV policy replaces contents at cost minus depreciation. If you have replacement cost coverage, your contents will be replaced at today's prices.

If you have questions about property insurance, you may call a representative of Commissioner Oxendine's Consumer Services Division at 404-656-2070, or toll-free at 1-800-656-2298; for the hearing impaired call TDD# 404-656-4031. Phone lines are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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