CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) is encouraging Americans to increase their commitment to natural disaster preparation. A poll taken prior to the storms found that fewer than one quarter of Americans have taken the following steps to be prepared: creating a disaster response plan (22%), conducting a home inventory (18%) or taking action to reduce the amount of damage their property may experience when severe weather occurs (23%), despite three quarters of Americans (72%) thinking natural disasters are occurring more often than ever before.
“Our thoughts are with the individuals and communities recovering from Harvey and Irma,” said Chris Hackett, senior director - personal lines policy for PCI. “The insurance industry is focused on helping the affected residents get their lives in order and serving as a catalyst for rebuilding. However, Harvey and Irma serve as a wakeup call to the entire nation on the importance of natural disaster preparation. Our poll revealed that many people may be overestimating their preparedness for natural disasters based on actual steps they are taking to be ready.”
The survey conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of PCI between August 10-14, 2017 among 2,023 adults ages 18 and older found that more than 3 in 5 Americans (61%) say they are prepared for natural disasters or severe weather. Additionally, 71 percent of Americans say they have enough insurance to cover their losses from natural disasters or severe weather. However, only 28 percent have conducted an annual insurance check up to make sure they are adequately covered and only 15 percent have talked with their agent or insurer about additional coverages such as flood insurance.
“This gap in preparedness could be the difference in how smooth your recovery will be in the aftermath of a storm or other natural disaster,” said Hackett. “The best way to reduce the chance you’re surprised if you sustain damage due to a severe weather event or natural disaster, is to talk with your insurance agent or company each year to go over your coverage. As Harvey and Irma demonstrated, flooding often accompanies natural disasters. However, our poll found that only 11 percent of Americans have this coverage. An insurance agent can assist consumers in purchasing this vital protection.”
Through their homes, most Americans have a large portion of their personal net worth exposed to catastrophic loss, which makes planning financially for the possibility of disaster critical. Nevertheless, a shocking one-third of Americans (33%) admit that they have done nothing to financially prepare for a natural disaster. Less than half of Americans (44%) say they have maintained adequate savings or have cash on hand to meet short term expenses that arise following a natural disaster.
“Insurance is the foundation for keeping a family’s economic safety net strong,” said Hackett. “There are a few simple steps people can take in advance of a natural disaster to make the recovery process easier. We encourage consumers to know the severe weather and emergency warning signals used in their community and be prepared to take cover when alerted. Maintaining an emergency supply kit with a radio, flashlight, batteries and first-aid items is the first step in preparation. Other steps include conducting drills with your family and ensuring that your property is adequately insured.”
This is National Preparedness Month and there is no better time to make an emergency preparedness plan for yourself, family and friends than now.
- Make an Emergency Plan.
- Sign up for alerts and warnings in your area.
- Learn your evacuation zone and have an evacuation plan.
- PCI Encourages Insurance Policyholders to Know Their Coverage Options
- Review FEMA’s Document and Insure Property guide and consider flood insurance coverage
PCI 5 Steps to Being Financially Ready:
1. Conduct a yearly insurance review of your insurance policy and limits: This will help to ensure you are adequately insured and better able to weather a catastrophic loss. Also, ask your agent or insurer about deductibles and discounts that may be available.
2. Talk with your insurance company or agent about additional coverage options such as flood or earthquake insurance: The standard homeowners policy does not cover losses that result from floods or earthquakes.
3. Consider things you can do to reduce damage to your property: Taking action to reduce the amount of damage that may occur when severe weather occurs can reduce insurance costs and help speed the recovery process after a natural disaster.
4. Take a home inventory by using your smartphone: An inventory lists your home’s contents so you can quickly and easily account for all of your belongings and report the loss to your insurance company.
5. Prepare for power outages, inconveniences and scams that could affect your finances: As severe weather approaches, fill up your gas tank in case you have to evacuate, have some cash on hand for emergencies and charge all your electronic devices. After a storm, insurers may be able to assist policyholders with paying for expenses such as temporary housing if their property is determined to be uninhabitable due to the storm.
PCI is composed of nearly 1,000 member companies, representing the broadest cross section of insurers of any national trade association. PCI members write more than $183 billion in annual premium, 35 percent of the nation's property casualty insurance. Member companies write 42 percent of the U.S. automobile insurance market, 27 percent of the homeowners market, 32 percent of the commercial property and liability market and 34 percent of the private workers compensation market.
