Missouri DCI, SEMA encourage Missourians to make insurance part of emergency preparedness

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) and the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) are urging Missourians to make insurance coverage part of their emergency preparedness plans during National Preparedness Month this September. 

Insurance plays a critical role in helping families recover financially after severe weather and other disasters. Reviewing coverage before an emergency can help consumers understand what is protected, identify potential gaps and avoid unexpected costs after a loss.

“Preparing for an emergency means preparing for what comes after it, too,” DCI Director Angela Nelson said. “The aftermath of a disaster is not the time to find out you don’t have the coverage you thought you did. Reviewing your policy now and understanding what it does and does not cover can help give you the financial security you need to recover.”

Insurance needs can change over time, and not every type of damage is covered by a standard homeowners or renters insurance policy. For example, most standard policies do not cover damage caused by flooding or earthquakes. Consumers should understand what their policy covers, what it excludes and whether additional coverage may be appropriate. 

DCI encourages Missourians to take a few simple steps to be financially prepared before disaster strikes:

• Review your insurance coverage regularly. Make sure you understand your coverage limits, deductibles and exclusions. Contact your insurance agent or company if you have questions.
• Complete a home inventory. Document your belongings with photos, receipts and descriptions and store it in a secure location, such as a safe deposit box. Having an up-to-date inventory can make the claims process much easier if you experience a loss. Use DCI’s Home Inventory Checklist to help you get started.
• Keep important documents safe and accessible. Store copies of insurance policies, identification, financial records and important contact information in a secure location. Consider keeping digital copies that you can access if you cannot return home.
• Keep your insurance information up to date. Tell your insurance company about major home improvements or other changes that could affect your coverage.
• Check your deductible. Now is the time to review your declarations page and find your deductible so you are prepared for what you will have to pay out of pocket. If you cannot locate your declarations page, reach out to your agent or company and ask now.

“Disasters happen quickly and often with little warning, so the best time to prepare is before one occurs,” SEMA Director Jim Remillard said. “Talk with your family about where you will go, how you will communicate and what you will need if you have to leave home quickly. Building an emergency kit, having multiple ways to receive alerts and understanding the risks in your community are simple steps that make all the difference when an emergency happens.”

Missourians should also remember that insurance coverage cannot be purchased at the last minute. For example, a new flood insurance policy can take 30 days to take effect, making it important to consider potential risks well before severe weather is forecast. You can purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), or you can purchase private flood insurance. If you need help finding an agent who sells flood insurance, go to floodsmart.gov or call the NFIP at 877-336-2627. 

Like flood insurance, earthquake insurance can take some time to go into effect. For more information about earthquake insurance, including availability and benefits, residents can review DCI’s Earthquake Insurance Shopping Guide or visit insurance.mo.gov/earthquake-insurance.

“In Missouri, it’s not a question of if there will be a damaging weather event, it’s when,” Director Nelson added. “We want Missourians to start planning ahead for how they will recover from those events.”

DCI offers severe weather and insurance resources to help consumers prepare for and recover from disasters at insurance.mo.gov/severe-weather.

Missouri consumers with insurance questions or concerns can contact DCI’s Insurance Consumer Hotline at 800-726-7390 or visit insurance.mo.gov/consumers. 

DCI is charged with protecting Missouri consumers through oversight of the insurance industry, banks, credit unions, utilities and various professional licensees operating in the state. For more information about the department, please visit our website at dci.mo.gov.

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.