CAI-NJ Feb.2018

By Michael A. Miller, Principal, M. Miller & Son PREPARING FOR SEVERE WEATHER

© iStockphoto.com

P icture this: a massive windstorm rips across the tri-state area. Trees fall, power lines are down, and homes are damaged. A property owner suffers a serious loss to their property and some of their most cherished belong- ings are destroyed. As they gaze upon their devastated property, they are thinking: “Now what?” What could they have done to avoid this tragedy? A natural disaster can occur anywhere at any time and affect anyone. The truth of the matter is that severe weather today occurs more frequently than ever. As such, it is absolutely crucial to take precautions and set a standard of emergency prepared- ness for one’s property. Emergency preparedness neces- sitates taking all the possible defensive measures to help

keep people, property, and belongings safe following an emergency event. This entails having a plan for potential scenarios and knowing how to safeguard your livelihood. First and foremost, having the right kind of property insur- ance is essential. Insurance will help a policyholder pick up the pieces following a severe weather emergency, whether related to fire, hurricane, lighting, snow load, and more. The best thing one can do is to form a relationship with a local, independent agent. This is a real person to whom a client can ask questions, who can give them advice, and who can come to see their property to evaluate their insurance needs. An independent agent represents multiple carriers and can match clients with a carrier that supports

26

F E B R U A R Y , 2 0 1 8