Home Insurance and Preparations

Inventory your property. A complete inventory of personal property will help obtain insurance settlements and/or tax deductions for losses. Inventory checklists can be obtained from your insurance representative. Be sure to take pictures and list descriptions. Store these and other important insurance papers in waterproof containers or in your safety deposit boxes.

Review your insurance policies and coverage to avoid misunderstanding later. Separate policies are needed for protection against wind and flood damage. 

Find out if your home is subject to flooding. Your local building inspection department has copies of the Flood Insurance Rate Maps that identify property subject to a 100-year storm frequency.

If disaster does strike your home:

1. Notify your insurance company and file a claim.  You must do this first before you file any other claim. 
   
2. If your insurance does not adequately cover the loss of or damages to your home, you may file a claim with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, but only AFTER you've filed your homeowner's insurance claim.
   
3. After filing with FEMA, and your loss is still greater, you may file with the Small Business Administration for a loan.

Keep in mind that none of these three measures will ever restore your home to its original condition.  These steps are meant to help you get back on your feet.

Click here for disaster insurance information from the N.C. Dept. of Insurance.

« this page last modified 05/19/07 »