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Storm Preparedness Checklists How to create inventory, prepare your home and secure insurance

When preparing for a storm, it is important to develop three checklists: a supply inventory, home preparedness audit and an insurance check. Keep reading for tips on creating these checklists.

Create a home inventory

Start in an easy place then move around the house. Choose a navigable area like kitchen cabinets or a storage closet.

Go over purchases and create a list starting with the most recent and work your way back.

Complete detailed information on all items on your checklist, including but not limited to: purchase date, item description, cost/value, location.

Record serial/make/model numbers for all tech gadgeyt/appliances.

Ensure you have insurance on big ticket items that require separate or special coverage, items like: jewelry, art, antiques, etc.

Ensure insurance coverage on off-site items in storage units.

Keep all sales receipts and evidence of appraisal/value in one place, such as a folder or saved digitally as pictures.

Don't get overhwhelmed. Assign tasks to family members to ensure you gather inventory in all areas, and start early to avoid a last minute rush.

Consider digitizing this information by storing evidence of items and receipts as photos, tour your home with video and/or audio recordings or store digital records through an app like Sortly, Nest Egg or Magic Home Inventory. Be sure to back up all information you store to an external hard drive or on the cloud.

Prepare your Home

Plan your evacuation route. Go here to find your local evacuation route in SC.

Keep emergency supplies on hand, like:

Extra batteries

Candles or lamps with fuel & matches

Materials and tools for emergency home repairs–such as heavy plastic sheeting, plywood, a hammer, etc.

Prescription drugs

A three-day supply of drinking water

Food that you don’t have to refrigerate or cook

First aid supplies

A portable NOAA weather radio

A flashlight

Cut down branches or trees that are a hazard to your home and/or outbuildings.

Install storm shutters or nail boards onto windows for added protection.

Ensure exterior doors are hurricane proof or boarded for added protection against strong winds and flying objects.

Ensure garage doors are in good working order, have no openings or cracks and are secured for high winds.

Seal outside wall openings like vents or around water spigots with caulk to ensure water cannot come in.

Take steps to prepare your business by creating an emergency plan for employees regarding store/business closings, work from home strategies, point of contact information, return to work policies and business insurance.

Check your Insurance Policy

  • Check your home insurance policy coverage to ensure it is enough for potential damages or for a rebuild
  • Understand your deductibles
  • Understand which disasters are covered and which aren't
  • If you own a time-share, condo or town home check with your management company on coverage
  • Determine the value of your possessions
  • See if your policy offers coverage for additional living expenses while you are away from your home during a natural disaster

Extra Resources

Information from the Insurance Institute

Drew Sineath & Associates

567 Crowfield Boulevard, Goose Creek SC 29445 | 843-343-4792 | www.drewsineath.com

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Created with images from Adobe Stock

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