Home Insurance Articles
Federal Program Helps Save On Home Insurance
2009-12-12
Homeowners who are looking for ways to save money while still maintaining the same level of home insurance coverage may find federal programs such as Storm Ready to be a worthwhile investment. While many communities and homeowners feel they adequately prepared for severe weather, the majority is not. With 90 percent of presidential declared disasters being weather related and $14 million reported in weather damages a year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service (NOAA), it is not surprising that there is a significant rise in home insurance claims during the storm season. While home insurance pays for a large amount of these costs, it does not pay for everything. By being prepared before disaster strikes, homeowners can help reduce the cost of damages to their home insurance and keep their communities prepared.
Communities and individual homeowners can take advantage of available federal programs designed to assist in emergency and severe weather preparedness. Programs such as the National Weather Service's Storm Ready Program help prepare communities "with an action plan that responds to the threat of all types of severe weather." By implementing this program, 50 people in Ohio County were saved when a tornado destroyed a local movie theater. The adults and children were alerted and moved to a safe location before the tornado hit. While the program does not claim to make communities storm proof, it does give them the resources and tools necessary to be ready and prepared.
Communities wishing to participate in the program complete a three-step application process in order to be approved. These steps, including emergency alert system implementation and various other steps for establishing an effective storm preparedness and response system, require verification in order to get funding. Additionally, individual homeowners can take advantage of the available publications and resources offered in order to be prepared and ready for the storm season. In doing so, homeowners will be helping to reduce the number of home insurance claims due to weather disasters, while protecting their property and, most importantly, saving lives.
Homeowners can check the NOAA website at www.stormready.noaa.gov to determine if their community is an accredited Storm Ready participant. In addition to the life-saving benefits of being prepared for severe weather disasters, homeowners in accredited communities qualify for lower home insurance premiums, according to the NOAA. Homeowners not living in accredited communities can also benefit from implementing many of the life saving preparations. Additionally, homeowners should discuss these preparations when reviewing home insurance coverage as they may qualify for a discount.
Making sure you and your community are fully prepared in the event of a weather-related disaster is definitely an important move to make.