People who live along the coasts remain alert during hurricane season. However, inland residents can be caught off guard after a hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall. A lot of the time, these storms diminish in strength before reaching our area. Other times, like just last year, Georgians were hit extremely hard by Hurricane Michael and are still suffering from storm damage today.
Since the first of June is the start of hurricane season, get ahead of the storm and prepare yourself, your family, and your property for what could potentially happen.
Here are some simple things you can do to prepare your home or business:
- Ensure that you have proper insurance coverage beforehand. Many people waited until Hurricane Michael was well on its way before contacting their insurance agent, including our team at Atwater Insurance. Unfortunately, we were unable to assist these customers since all insurance companies put restrictions on issuing new or updated policies, called “binding restrictions” once severe weather is predicted. The reason is simple: A claim would be a lot higher than the premium paid for the policy, putting extra risk on the insurer. Don’t wait – review your policies today and ensure your home, property and business is adequately covered.
- Prepare your property. Take precautions like cleaning your gutters, clearing your yard of potential debris, and ensuring that vehicles are parked in a safe place. Another great tip is to organize and store your important documents off-site or somewhere online in case of disaster. These simple steps can either help prevent certain damages or shorten the time it takes to function smoothly again once the storm passes.
- Have access to emergency items. Stock up on flashlights, spare batteries, food, and water. Be prepared for extended power outage with a generator; but If you have one or chose to invest in a generator, know how to properly operate it and test ahead of time. Lastly know where your emergency shutoff valves are located in case you need to cut off electricity, water, or gas quickly.
Storms can be unpredictable and do a lot of damage. To give yourself peace of mind, be sure you are protected for whatever comes your way. Atwater Insurance Agency is located in both Tifton, Georgia and Fitzgerald, Georgia. We offer coverage for your home, automobile, business, or farm. Call our office to talk more about the various providers we offer for our customers. Let us find the right protection for the risks you face. Our number is (229) 382-9000.