Unlike other weather emergencies, tornadoes develop quickly and often arrive without warning. To minimize costly damage, it's important you take steps to secure your home before these violent storms arise.
Reinforce your home
Although most tornadoes occur in the Midwest and Southeast during the spring and summer months, tornadoes can strike anywhere at any time. No matter where you live, a little planning can go a long way to protect your family and your home.
On the bright side
While floods and earthquakes often require additional insurance protection, damage caused by wind from tornadoes is generally covered in your standard homeowners insurance policy. It's important to review your policy periodically to understand what is covered and what is not. Whether you rent or own, having adequate coverage will ensure that you're protected in times of need.
After a disaster strikes, you'll need to list your possessions and verify your losses for an insurance claim. Creating a home inventory beforehand will make the process much easier. Be sure to keep an electronic copy of your home inventory, along with other important documents, in a safe place and consider taking photos to accurately catalog your belongings.
Stay alert
Up-to-date emergency alerts are vital during severe weather situations. Since tornadoes strike suddenly, it's important that you act quickly. Consider signing up for your community's warning system.
For more resources and information visit, FEMA.gov or MyHome by Freddie Mac®.
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