The recent history of the US witnessed a case that teaches important lessons to insurance companies and homeowners across the country. In general, we all expect our owner insurance to be enough to protect our properties in the event of some catasthrope. What happened in the Gulf Coast after being hit by Katrina, however, raises an important question: what if insurance agents and companies were also destroyed in some disaster?
When that happened during the Katrina, owner insurance companies were forced to create “offices” in tents and trailers to meet with clients, creating unconventional cases where claims were filed by insurance agents without even talking to clients. Even satellite imagery was used to determine the damage in some areas, a measure which is also unconventional for owner insurance companies' standards. On the other hand, such extreme circumstances resulted in some clients still waiting to get their claims paid until today.
Specialists say that the Katrina case teaches a lot about both coping with future disasters and taking precautions to prevent further damages. Hiring a contractor to make house improvements that can help during floods or heavy rain it's pointed as the most basic measure. Even covering the roof with waterproof canvas is likely to offer extra protection in some degree.
Specialists also recommend to make an emergency fund for the family, despite the fact that owner insurance companies help pay for additional living expenses. As the claim have to be verified by the insurer before, you and your family are likely to have to wait to get a check, what may lead to a very desperate situation. The also say that making a fund using a nationwide bank debit/credit card is even better, since natural disasters makes the access to banks more difficult.