TRENTON —Department of Banking and Insurance Acting Commissioner Marlene Caride today urged New Jersey residents to get ready now for hurricane season which officially begins June 1. All Garden State residents should have an evacuation plan, updated insurance information and the supplies they need to be prepared for storm response and recovery. The Department also issued bulletins to the insurance and banking industries it regulates on the need for these firms to update their contact numbers and review their emergency preparation plans.
“Hurricanes bring many hazards to New Jersey’s coastal communities and inland areas, including storm surge along the ocean and tidal basin shorelines and inland flooding due to heavy rainfall,” said Acting Commissioner Caride. “Strong winds and flash floods can do heavy damage to property and can endanger residents who decide to shelter-in-place. Getting ready now, before hurricane season begins, will empower New Jersey residents and the financial industries that serve them to effectively respond to a storm and recover faster.”
Catastrophic storms can strike New Jersey residents any time of year. A storm that does not reach the strength of a major hurricane can still cause widespread damage to New Jersey communities.
Acting Commissioner Caride provided guidelines for New Jersey consumers to prepare for storms year round as well as during the 2018 hurricane season:
Understand Flood Insurance
Flood insurance is not part of most insurance policies written for homeowners, as well as policies for condominium-owners and renters. Consumers can purchase a flood insurance policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a federal program which is the primary provider of flood insurance for residential property. These flood policies can be purchased directly from the NFIP and from many licensed agents and insurers.
Consumers should be aware that flood insurance is not effective until 30 days after it is sold. Therefore, consumers who want flood insurance for this storm season should contact an approved flood insurance agent immediately and not wait for another approaching storm.
For more about flood insurance through the NFIP, go to: www.floodsmart.gov.
Private flood insurance can also be purchased in some instances. Consumers can begin shopping for private flood insurance in New Jersey by consulting the Department’s private flood insurer list.
For automobiles, flood is typically covered under the “Comprehensive” or “Other than Collision” coverage section of your policy. Check to see if you have this coverage. Separate policies are not available to cover flood for automobiles.
Complete a Home Inventory
Make a complete list of all the belongings in your home. Having a home inventory makes it far easier for consumers to file an insurance claim in the event of property damage.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has a smart phone application, MyHOMEScr.APP.book, that can capture images, descriptions, bar codes and serial numbers of consumers’ possessions. It also organizes information room by room and creates a back-up file for email sharing. This application is available to iPhone users. If you are an Android user, check with your carrier to find a recommended home inventory app.
Collect Your Insurance and Contact Information
Consumers should gather all insurance documents in one safe place along with a home inventory.
Storm preparation should include making a list of insurance company/agent names, policy numbers and contact information such as phone numbers, websites, mailing addresses and emergency information hotlines. Consumers should keep this information with them during an evacuation in the event their residence is inaccessible after a storm.
Residents should review policies before a storm hits and understand the coverage they have purchased, including any applicable deductibles.
Keep other important contact information written down and stored with your insurance information. If smartphone batteries die before they can be recharged, residents should make sure they have important personal contact information of relatives, neighbors and health insurance contacts for emergency use.
Strengthen Your Home
Double check that storm shutters, if applicable, can be quickly installed or used.
Keep yards and property free of debris and clutter to eliminate potentially hazardous projectiles in strong winds.
Trim dead or overhanging branches from trees, especially near the house.
Secure loose end gables or roof sheathing and make certain doors latch properly.
Plan an evacuation route for the family. Identify the nearest storm shelter.
Create an emergency kit that includes survival supplies, such as bottled water, first aid items, flashlights, a battery operated radio, three days of non-perishable food items, blankets, clothing, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, personal hygiene supplies and enough cash for at least three days.
Keep a full tank of gas in your car in advance of any potential storm.
Ensure generators are in working order.
Evacuation
Once a mandatory evacuation order is issued, residents should depart as soon as possible.
Before vacating their property, residents should turn off utilities and disconnect appliances to reduce the chance of additional damage and electric shock when utilities are restored.
Evacuees should plan more than one route in case the preferred one is closed due to an emergency.
In the event a hospital or medical need arises during an evacuation, residents should remember to bring their health insurance ID cards with them.
Bulletins
This week, the Department issued bulletins to Insurance and Banking regulated firms requesting emergency contact information updates to be supplied to DOBI. The bulletins also instructed regulated entities to review and update their disaster response plans.
For More Information
Go to the Department’s website at: DOBI Hurricanes.
To learn more about hurricane preparedness in New Jersey: Hurricane Preparedness.
For the National Hurricane Center. |
