Across the country, there has been increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events such as storms, flooding, and wildfires. To assist New Jersey residents, the Department of Banking and Insurance offers the following guidance on preparing for extreme weather events that can threaten your home and property.

• Plan your escape route early in case you need to evacuate.
• Stock up on drinking water, canned goods, a manual can opener, and other non-perishable foods. If you need any medicine on a regular basis, be sure you have an adequate supply to cover several days.
• Have access to a working portable radio. This may be your only link with the outside world and will keep you advised of the storm's path. Stock up on extra batteries.
• A cell phone with a fully charged battery may be helpful in case of an emergency.
• Maintain a supply of flashlights, candles and kerosene lamps. Store matches in waterproof containers and have adequate lantern fuel.

Homeowners insurance protects homeowners from damage to their home, other structures such as detached garages, storage sheds and fences, as well as personal property like furniture. Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover losses caused by fire and lightning, smoke, windstorms or hail – but some policies may include a separate, optional wind/hail deductible, and/or a mandatory or optional hurricane deductible. Damage by windstorms such as hurricanes is generally covered under a standard homeowners policy, but there may be a deductible or other specific restriction that applies to your policy.  (A deductible is the amount of the loss which you (the insured) is responsible to pay before benefits from the insurance company are payable.) It is very important to insure your home and belongings to their full replacement cost. All homeowners policies include a list of exclusions, or things the policy will not cover. (For example, homeowners insurance policies exclude water damage caused by flood.)

• Review your homeowners insurance policy every year.
• Check with your insurance agent annually to ensure that you have the right coverage, as new construction and remodeling add value to your home and may increase its replacement cost.
• Consider whether you need to purchase additional coverage, such as flood insurance, which is a separate policy.  (See Flood Insurance)
• Flooding is not covered under standard homeowners policies.
• Ask your agent or emergency management office about the National Flood Insurance Program. There is normally a 30-day waiting period before a new flood insurance policy becomes effective.
• Homeowners policies do not cover damage from flooding that accompanies a hurricane.
• If you rent a house or apartment, talk to your agent about purchasing a renters insurance policy if you don't already have one.

• Go through every room and list your possessions, including details such as brand name, price, and model number/serial information. Save receipts and take pictures or videos of everything. (See National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Home Inventory App)
• Consider storing a copy of your inventory (and your insurance policies) in a safe place somewhere else, like a relative’s home or saved on a portable device or in a safe deposit box.
• Review the inventory every year and update it whenever you acquire new items.

• Make a list of insurance company/agent names, policy numbers, and contact information such as phone numbers, websites, mailing addresses, and emergency information hotlines.
• Keep this information with you during an evacuation in the event your residence is inaccessible after an extreme weather event.

There are measures you can take to mitigate, or reduce, the risk of damage to your home and property before a weather event. Some of those actions include:

• Regular maintenance – removing loose debris such as tree branches and roof shingles.
• If possible, store or secure outdoor furniture, gardening equipment, toys, etc.
• Cleaning out gutters and downspouts so they drain properly.

Practical Matters

• Board up windows, protect them with storm shutters or place tape X's on windows from one corner diagonally to another.
• Secure all outdoor objects that could be blown around by storm winds.
• If you own a boat, move it to a safer place, or at least strengthen the mooring lines.
• If you live in a mobile home, check tie-downs and leave immediately for a safer place.

• Stay safe: Listen to local authorities and follow any instructions. Avoid returning to hazardous areas until you are told it is safe to do so.
• If your property has been damaged, report the loss immediately to your insurance company or agent. Your insurance company will assign a claim adjuster to inspect the damages and determine coverage.
• Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its contents, for insurance claims. Many companies have toll-free phone numbers to help customers report claims.
• Make a reasonable attempt to protect your property from further loss or damage. Cover openings in exterior walls, windows or roof with plywood, plastic, or other material. If these steps are unsafe, call a qualified and reputable contractor. Keep receipts for any repairs.
• Following a loss you may decide to retain a public adjuster to assist you in presenting the claim to your insurance company. In New Jersey, public adjusters must be licensed by the Department of Banking and Insurance. Remember that they represent you - not the insurance company - and are paid by you out of the proceeds of your claim. If you choose to hire a public adjuster, make sure that they are licensed.
• If you need to find other lodging, keep records of expenses and all receipts. Many policies provide certain Additional Living Expense coverage if the reason you must leave your home is due to a covered loss, but if the loss is not covered, you will not be reimbursed.

Flood insurance is not part of standard insurance policies written for homeowners, businesses, condominium-owners and renters. Generally, only flood insurance covers a person’s home, business, and their property from floods.

• Check if your home is in a high-risk flood zone by consulting FEMA’s flood maps. Even if you’re in a low-risk area, consider flood insurance as floods can happen anywhere.
• You can purchase a flood insurance policy from the National Flood Insurance Program or from an insurance company offering private flood insurance.
• Be aware that flood insurance is not effective until 30 days after it is sold. Don’t wait until a storm is imminent to buy coverage.
• Make sure you understand the specifics of your policy, including any exclusions.
• Damage to a personal or commercial vehicle from flood is covered under an auto policy’s optional comprehensive coverage (also known as comp or “other than collision”), which pays for damage to your vehicle that is not a result of a collision. If you do have comprehensive coverage, contact your agent or company to file a claim. If you only have liability coverage, which pays others for damages from an auto accident that you cause, your insurance company will not cover damage to your vehicle caused by flood.

To learn more about preparing for extreme weather occurrences, visit the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management: nj.gov/njoem/plan-prepare/index.shtml

For information specific to preparing for wildfires visit the NJ Wildfire SMART website: nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/fire/njwildfiresmart/

• Find a homeowner's insurer (Contact Information - telephone, web site, etc.)
• Companies that Write Private Flood Insurance
• Protect Your Property Before Extreme Weather Events
• Guidance on Filing Insurance Claims for Storm-Related Damage
• DOBI Glossary of Insurance Terms
• Consumer Guide to Insurance and Natural Disasters

• NJ Office of Emergency Management
• National Flood Insurance Program
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Insurance Information Institute
• National Association of Insurance Commissioners