Before the Flood Hits: Tips for Homeowners to Prepare

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Did you know homeowners are 27 times more likely to deal with a flood than a fire throughout a 30-year mortgage? So it m
Before the Flood Hits: Tips for Homeowners to Prepare Seven facts and tips to help residents protect their homes Did you know homeowners are 27 times more likely to deal with a flood than a fire throughout a 30-year mortgage? So it makes sense for property owners to prepare to make sure they, and their homes are safe. “Every year, flooding causes $6 billion of property damage,” says Keith Brown, CEO of Aon National Flood Services (NFS). “In fact, all 50 states have experienced flooding in the past five years, so no one is immune. That’s why our goal is to help homeowners get ready before flooding happens, so they can protect what is important.” Brown and the Aon National Flood Services insurance team have put together a flood checklist with seven facts and tips to help residents ready their homes before the storm hits: 1. Fact: Homeowner's insurance typically does not cover flood damage.  Tip: Speak to your insurance agent to help you know your risk and understand your options for coverage. 2. Fact: It typically takes 30 days for a flood insurance policy to take effect. There is no coverage during this 30-day time frame.  Tip: Get flood coverage sooner rather than later. 3. Fact: The National Flood Insurance Program through FEMA is undergoing changes. Some started taking effect April 1, 2016.  Tip: If you are insured through the NFIP, make sure your agent keeps you up-to-date on pending FEMA rule changes. 4. Fact: Different flood insurance policies have different limitations. For example, some don’t cover basements, enclosures or additional living expenses after the flood.  Tip: Private flood insurance can help get you the coverage that is best for you. 5. Fact: Floods can come fast and furious and often don’t leave time to gather your belongings.  Tip: Create a pre-storm waterproof emergency packet and keep it in a safe and easily accessible place. Include:  Valuable documents/receipts/papers.  Lists of important emergency contact information on where to turn to for help.  Inventory and before-and-after photos (good for property claims). 6. Fact: Floods know no boundaries and are extremely destructive.  Tip: Scan or provide important documents to a friend or relative to store in a safe location away from your property, so you can get to them if your house is flooded.  Don’t leave important documents in your car. 7. Fact: When a flood threatens your family, you have to move fast.  Tips: Prepare an evacuation plan for your family. Map out multiple escape routes from your community in case exit roads are closed. Know where there are low points in the roads that might be more exposed to rising floodwaters.

You can get more disaster preparedness information, emergency guidelines and evacuation plans through these online resources: o o o

Floodsmart.gov eSchool Red Cross

ENDS About Aon National Flood Services Aon National Flood Services (NFS), a division of Affinity Insurance Services, Inc., is one of the top administrators for insurance carriers participating in the National Flood Insurance Program. Its more than 800 colleagues deliver superior policy administration, claims processing, customer service, and agency support capabilities for clients. A leader in the U.S. flood insurance industry, NFS currently administers and manages more than three million flood insurance policies nationwide on behalf of its client companies. About Aon Affinity Aon Affinity is a trade name for Affinity Insurance Services, Inc. Aon Affinity combines the specialized knowledge of affinity program management with the extensive resources of a global company to help clients achieve their goals. With an innovative approach to program strategy, from the design of products and services to the delivery of the marketing message, Affinity offers full-service capabilities; technical expertise and industry knowledge to deliver value to clients. Visit http://www.aon.com/affinity for more information. About Aon Aon plc (NYSE:AON) is a leading global provider of risk management, insurance brokerage and reinsurance brokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing services. Through its more than 72,000 colleagues worldwide, Aon unites to empower results for clients in over 120 countries via innovative risk and people solutions. For further information on our capabilities and to learn how we empower results for clients, please visit: http://aon.mediaroom.com.

Media Contact: Astrid Greve Spencer [email protected] 312.888.2103