Risk solutions to avoid financial losses and exposures to natural disasters
Californians are no stranger to natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, wildfires and high winds. Are you prepared for the types of natural disasters that could happen where you live?
Follow recommended guidelines take measures to prepare yourself, your family employees and business before disaster strikes. There are many ways for business and homeowners to mitigate potential losses resulting from natural disasters. Here are some tips on some effective and low cost measures to to protect yourself, your business, your home and personal items.
Floods
- Lift personal property and valuable up off the floor of basements, crawl-spaces, garages, etc. with plastic, metal or cement block fixtures
- Ensure your main breaker or fuse box is secured above the anticipated level of flood water
- Purchase flood insurance to cover the value of your home, business, and personal property
Earthquakes
- Bolt cabinets, bookcases, cupboards, etc. to the wall and place the heaviest objects towards the floor to reduce potential injuries or obstructions
- Secure your water heater to the wall with steel bands or plumbers tape to prevent potential fires
- Bolt your home or business property to its foundation. Use anchor bolts every 6 feet around the perimeter walls to prevent extremely costly damage to homes shifted off their foundation in an earthquake
Wildfires
- Move shrubs and landscaping a few feet away from your home, patio, deck and garage.
- Clear dead brush, grass and foliage from your property to remove fuel which spreads fire
- Consider drought-tolerant and fire-resistant plants, such as lavender, ice plant, kangaroo paws and sage to prevent dry kindle and debris from catching fire near structures
- Consider installing fireproof shingles or treatments which will prevent your roof, siding or patios from catching fire
- Seal the open edges of barrel-tile roofs to wind blown embers from setting alight the wood sub-roof
- Avoid using combustible mulch in landscaping
- Keep propane and butane tanks 30 feet from any structure with a 10 foot clearance around the tank
High Winds
- Have your home inspected by a building professional to affirm the rood and other building features are capable of withstanding the effects of high winds
- Check with your roofer to ensure your shingles and tile will withstand high wind
- secure the roof to the walls and foundation to reduce the risk of losing your roof to winds
Landslides
- Install flexible gas and water pipe fittings
- Repair your drainage systems, reinforce retaining walls and plant ground cover to anchor soils on hillsides
- If your property sits on a steep slope, general property insurance may not be enough to cover repairing foundation or rebuilding damaged walls
Learn About Hazards in Your Neighborhood
California Neighborhood Natural Hazard Maps
Assemble a Hazard Preparedness Kit
Emergency Kit Tutorial
*Don’t forget to enclose copies of your insurance policies in your emergency kits. This will help you file and receive payment on claims you deserve in a quick and painless manner.
With a few easy steps you can limit your exposure to costly repairs from unexpected natural disasters, however an insurance policy will give you peace of mind to know your home or business will bounce back and you can get back to living your life. Speak with one of our professional team members for more information about affordable natural disaster insurance products to safeguard your property.