Disaster Planning & Hiring A Contractor

By Cheryl Smith, Solid Rock Roofing

Disaster can strike at any moment. You need to expect the unexpected. While some areas of the world may be more likely to be affected by disasters and weather emergencies, they can hit anywhere at any time. Blizzards, tornados, hurricanes and more can affect any community, which is why it’s increasingly important to take necessary precautions.

While certain disasters necessitate specific materials or prepared actions, a lot of emergency materials are universally helpful during a disaster. Things like evacuation plans, escape routes and general communication plans can be useful in any disaster scenario. Emergency supply kits are great tools to keep in case of emergency. These should include items, such as non-perishable food, drinking water, AM/FM radio, batteries, first aid kit, medication, flashlight, extra money, blankets, etc. Keeping a go-bag may also be useful if you need to evacuate your home. It should include items, such as important documents, extra sets of keys, copies of credit/ATM cards, cash, etc.

Create and maintain an inventory of your personal possessions. Use a camera to take pictures or video of both the interior and exterior of your home, as well as your property, including items stored on your property, such as vehicles or lawn/farm equipment. Maintain receipts for all major items. This documentation should be saved in a safe place outside your home, such as in a safe deposit box or use an online cloud storage service to store files or data.

Be aware of the types of weather emergencies common for your region. If you live in a land locked location or nowhere near water, you may not need to plan for flooding or hurricanes. Instead, it may be better to focus on preparation for tornados or thunderstorms.

Take note of your insurance regarding storm damage and natural disasters. Keep insurance policies organized and in an easily accessible spot. Review your coverage annually to make sure it’s adequate. Discuss with your insurance agent what liabilities you might have, if any, should any of your personal items or trees cause damage to neighboring properties.

You can get additional recommendations at www.ready.gov, the Department of Homeland Security’s disaster preparedness website.

Keep in mind, with disaster comes disaster repair. Disaster victims shouldn’t have to worry if their contracting services are going to be reliable in the aftermath of an emergency. They also shouldn’t feel forced to make quick decisions. Contact your insurance adjuster immediately to get the ball rolling and document all conversations with your insurance company or the adjuster. Document the damage to your property; take pictures or video, if possible.

If your home is unlivable, contact your utility company to turn off your water, gas and/or electric services. Do not make any permanent repairs until you get approval from your insurance company. Beware of contractors who claim to be insurance claims specialists and may ask you to sign an agreement to allow them to contact your insurance company and seek approval for repairs on your behalf. Check to make sure contractors are properly licensed and insured. Do not hand over an insurance check to a contractor for repairs prior to work being started. A good rule of thumb is to never give more than 1/3 of the job price up front and make sure your insurance company has approved all repairs before your final payment is given to the business.

Turn to contractors you can trust, such as BBB Accredited Businesses like Solid Rock Roofing.