Info About Insurance

Hurricane Insurance

Hurricane Insurance is an insurance that covers loss resulting from hurricane damage.

A hurricane is a tropical storm with winds that have reached a constant speed of 74 miles per hour or more. Hurricane winds blow in a large spiral around a relative calm center known as the "eye." The "eye" is generally 20 to 30 miles wide, and the storm may extend outward 400 miles. As a hurricane approaches, the skies will begin to darken and winds will grow in strength. As a hurricane nears land, it can bring torrential rains, high winds, and storm surges. A single hurricane can last for more than 2 weeks over open waters and can run a path across the entire length of the eastern seaboard. August and September are peak months during the hurricane season that lasts from June 1 through November 30. (source: FEMA)

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Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Names

Atlantic Names

Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Dennis, Emily, Franklin, Gert, Harvey, Irene, Jose, Katrina, Lee, Maria, Nate, Ophelia, Philippe, Rita, Stan, Tammy, Vince, Wilma

Atlantic Ocean and Eastern Pacific Ocean are the two list names which are rotated every year. More than 21 named Atlantic cyclones occur in Atlantic basin in a season. For the hurricanes that are severe and cause a lot of property damage and/or loss of life, the name is retired because re-using it is felt to be insensitive. The name is then not used for at least ten years.

Tips on preparing your home for a Hurricane

• Be prepared for the worst, as each hurricane is different.
• Investing in flood insurance saves you from the damage caused by hurricane related floods.
• Take an advice from your engineer on how to make your home more resistant to hurricane damage.
• Install storm doors. You will also need strong screws or nails that will be long enough to go through the wood around the window frame.
• Do not use electrical appliance during the storm.
• Have a landline phone service instead of cordless phone as hurricanes will put you out of power service.  
• Create a network of relatives, friends and neighbors to aid you in case of emergency.
• Keep an emergency kit which includes medicines, water, food, cash, important documents, first aid kit etc. Make arrangements for your pets.

As most policies usually cover damage caused from wind and rain, check your home owner’s insurance policy as to what it covers. Contact your local insurance agents and check out for the requirements and replacement coverage. Be cautious in choosing your building contractors, as they encourage you to spend a lot of money on temporary repairs.

Many can get help from their own life insurance policy. Over half of life insurance policyholders own policies that have cash value. The best use of this cash value is a loan -money that can be borrowed from the policy without waiting for lender’s approval. No matter the money is not taxable as you are borrowing against your own money, but the lender does charge interest on the loan; which is fixed on some policies. Keep in mind that insurance coverage varies by state and by company; it has its own claims filing procedures.

How to submit life insurance claims after disaster - To claim the insurance amount you need to submit the proof of insurance policy made.

• You need to contact your agent who sold you the policy either by phone or in person to let them know you have sustained a loss.
• You need to submit your proof of ownership and damage documentation of what you lost and its worth.
• The best way to document your claims is to make an inventory of everything you own.
• You can hire an attorney and file a complaint with your state insurance department if you are not happy with the claim amount settled.
• If you’re still not satisfied you can own your public insurance adjustor as they will try and reach quick settlements. You need to pay them a percentage of your claim as they are regulated by the states.