Every year, September marks National Preparedness Month, FEMA’s Ready Campaign and the Ad Council’s month-long movement to raise awareness about the importance of being ready for unexpected emergencies.

While preparedness can encompass various aspects of life, at Recoop Disaster Insurance, we tend to look at it through the lens of home insurance and natural disasters. In this blog, we’ll delve into why National Preparedness Month serves as a great reminder to have guardrails in place to build your home’s, your family’s and your bank account’s resiliency in the face of a disaster.

Expect the Unexpected

One thing you can count on is that Mother Nature can be unpredictable. We’ve seen rare west coast hurricanes, ice storms in the south and more, meaning no one is immune to severe weather. In fact, in the last 10 years, 88.5% of all U.S. counties declared a natural disaster – including 95% of the 200 most populated counties according to Forbes.

That’s why it’s important to adopt preventative measures to reduce your exposure to the devasting effects of severe weather. Depending on what type of climate you live in, consider making the following upgrades to your home:

  • Installing fire-resistant roofing materials
  • Reinforcing your windows and doors with hurricane and/or flood shutters
  • Trimming trees regularly and removing debris from your lawn so they’re a safe distance from your home
  • Ensuring your attic is insulated and ventilated
  • Clearing out gutters of leaves and debris often

Taking these steps and others not only enhances you and your family’s safety but can also lead to lower insurance premiums.

Stay Informed and Educated

During National Preparedness Month, communities often host workshops and events to educate homeowners about disaster preparedness. These events provide an opportunity to learn about evacuation plans, emergency contact information, and other critical resources relevant to your area. Check out local events in your area so you can receive the knowledge you need to respond effectively when disaster strikes. 

But What About My Insurance Policy?

You may be thinking that you’re covered no matter what because you have an insurance policy in place. But you better think again. While traditional insurance can cover some of the cost of repairs, replacement belongings and more, it oftentimes falls short for many homeowners.

The average home is underinsured by as much as $54,000, which typically means homeowners are left picking up the tab. Putting life back together post severe weather is stressful enough, when your insurance leaves you hanging, it adds just another obstacle in your way to rebounding.

Disaster Insurance as a Safety Net

Enter: Recoop. Designed to pick up  where traditional insurance leaves off, Recoop gives homeowners access to flexible funds (up to $25,000 – cha-ching!) in a lump-sum cash benefit after a disaster. This money is designed to help homeowners cover the cost of displacement, supplies, whatever you need.

Here’s how it works; homeowners enroll in a supplementary disaster insurance policy via Recoop. They set up their account, upload current photos of their property and then choose their preferred payment type After a declared  disaster in your county – say a hurricane, tornado or winter storm – folks file their claim online by posting photos of the damage. From there, recovery cash hits the banks in about two business days.

So, instead of waiting close to 30 days for a payout from your insurance policy, you can start getting back on your feet quickly. By providing access to flexible recovery funds quickly, we help empower homeowners to bolster their financial resilience in the wake of severe weather.

National Preparedness Month serves as a timely reminder that uncertainties are a part of life. As you consider how to protect your loved ones and your home, remember that having a robust home insurance plan, designed to suit your region and needs, is essential for your preparedness strategy. Use this month to assess your insurance coverage, explore ways to enhance your home’s safety and bolster your financial resiliency to handle whatever Mother Nature may throw your way.