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With the East Coast experiencing heavy rain, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) has issued a warning to residents in the area, encouraging them to take precautions.
“Torrential downpours can produce dangerous flooding, so if your home is near water or in a low-lying area, make sure you are prepared to seek higher ground,” said PCI regional manager Logan McFaddin.
McFaddin also recommended that residents should properly document any damage their properties sustain, especially with hurricane season just around the corner.
“We also encourage policyholders to take photos and videos of damaged items, and save your receipts to help with the claims process,” she said. “With hurricane season just weeks away, it’s important to start thinking about taking steps to prepare your property, which could save you time and money in the recovery process.”
He added that policyholders should have their insurers’ contact information readily available and must confirm to see if they have flood insurance.
“You will want to have your agent or insurance company’s phone number handy should your home, business, or automobile be damaged,” McFaddin explained. “With the potential for even more rain this weekend, policyholders should check with their insurer to see if they have flood insurance, since flood damage is not covered by the standard homeowners’ policy and there is a 30-day waiting period before flood coverage goes into effect.”
He advised that those policyholders who do not have flood insurance can purchase additional coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program.
