natural disasters Archives - Page 2 of 3

Peril Know-How: Stamping Out the Effects of Wildfires

In years past, wildfire season was largely thought of as a summer peril; however, the effects of climate change have many experts changing their tune by calling it a year-round concern. With that in mind, the threat of wildfires still looms over many homeowners’ heads during the hot, dry summer months. Wildfires are unpredictable and containing them can be extremely challenging once they start, burning through land and buildings quickly. This leaves not only destruction in their wake, but also hefty repair bills for homeowners. The U.S. experiences an average of almost 60,000 wildfires per year, which burned 7.6 million acres of land on average between 2018 and 2023 according to the National Interagency Fire Center. A recent State Farm report estimates that 4.5 million homes are located in areas at high risk for a wildfire. Since wildfires can impact almost anyone, it’s important to prepare for the physical, emotional [...]

Flynn Wright2023-07-10T16:17:27+00:00Tags: homeowner tips, natural disasters, wildfires|

Save the Date: Reminder To Reevaluate Your Coverage for National Insurance Awareness Day

A holiday for insurance? Yep, you read that right. While you don’t get the day off work, National Insurance Awareness Day (June 28) serves as an important annual reminder to review your current policies in place, identify any potential gaps in your plans and update your coverage. This can give folks the peace of mind knowing they’re financially prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws their way in the next year. It’s especially important since natural disasters in 2022 totaled $165.1 billion in damages in the U.S. With household budgets already tight due to inflation, insurance policy gaps can leave homeowners left covering the costs where insurance falls short. And that can lead to financial ruin for many people across the country. Let’s take a closer look at homeowners and renters insurance this National Insurance Awareness Day with some practical tips on how to ensure you have the best policy in [...]

Flynn Wright2023-06-09T18:19:13+00:00Tags: coverage gaps, homeowner tips, natural disasters|

Peril Know-How: Navigating an Unpredictable Hurricane Season

June marks the start of hurricane season, and every year hurricanes cause billions of dollars in damage and claim countless lives. With the six-month long hurricane season comes severe winds, rain and storm surge. This combination of devasting weather can spell destruction for many homeowners all across the Eastern Seaboard. In fact, many homeowners are still piecing their lives back together after the devastating effects of Hurricane Ian last year. The physical and economic damage caused by Hurricane Ian is estimated to have caused a total of $112.9 billion, placing the hurricane as one of the top five costliest in U.S. history. For Florida specifically, it’s estimated that Hurricane Ian will break records for the largest hurricane-related loss event to date. With the impact of storm like Hurricane Ian still top of mind, many homeowners across the eastern U.S. need to brace their homes – and their finances – for [...]

Flynn Wright2023-05-15T13:35:54+00:00Tags: hurricanes, natural disasters|

Peril Know-How: Preparing for Uncertain Spring Weather

April showers brings May flowers, right? While springtime is full of regrowth, spring weather also brings uncertainty and challenges for homeowners. It’s an exceptionally unpredictable season because winter storms are rounding out and tornado season is rolling in – making it a time in which concurrent disasters are likely. In 2022, extreme weather across the U.S. caused $165 billion in damage. As temperatures fluctuate and storms occur, it's important to understand how these changes can impact your home and what you can do to prepare. Winter Storms Come to a Close Despite winter weather slowing down during springtime, it doesn’t mean homeowners are immune to quick shifts in the temperature that can bring snow, ice, freezing rain, flooding and more. The ferocity of winter storms can also take down trees and power lines, causing widespread power outages that significantly disrupt the lives of homeowners. Winter storms were responsible for almost [...]

Flynn Wright2023-02-23T21:55:17+00:00Tags: homeowner tips, natural disasters|

Peril Know-How: Storm Surge 101

Following massive coastal storms, like hurricanes, we’ll often hear and see news reports about the disastrous effects of storm surge putting people and property at risk. But what exactly is storm surge, how does it happen and why is it so damaging? Generally speaking, storm surge is when sea water is pushed toward the shore by the force of high winds, like those experienced during a hurricane, and pushes up and over the shoreline often going miles inland and can cause flooding far from the coast. But storm surge is a very complex phenomenon and is highly sensitive to the environment it develops within. The slightest changes in storm intensity, speed, size, angle of approach and the shape and characteristics of coastal features all have a role to play in the final size and impact of storm surge. This surge of sea water is often the greatest threat to life [...]

Flynn Wright2023-01-12T22:18:09+00:00Tags: natural disasters|

Employers: Don’t Let Consumers Get Swept Up in Financial Challenges This Tornado Season

In 2021, the U.S. recorded just shy of 1,400 tornadoes – which was up more than 300 from the previous year. Not only do severe weather events like this cause billions of dollars in damage and destruction, but they also leave tons of communities without power, internet, and other utilities. Many people are then left picking up the pieces, creating a financial burden to quickly bounce back from a tornado; that’s not something every person can afford to do. You may be thinking to yourself, “Okay, where do I come in as an employer?” The way we see it, you have excellent opportunities to show up for your employees and support them in the event of a tornado. Let’s break it down. It’s an office. No, it’s a home Today’s work environment gives employers and employees more flexibility than ever before, which comes with many benefits. For example, if you [...]

Flynn Wright2022-07-14T20:00:19+00:00Tags: employer benefits programs, financial well-being, natural disasters|

What Disasters at Home Mean for Our Work-From-Home Climate

In 2021, the contiguous U.S. states suffered 20 separate billion-dollar weather disasters. With widespread destruction and damage caused by severe weather, many communities are left facing internet, power, and other utility outages. This data shows the alarming truth: No one is immune to the realities of natural disasters. The destruction leaves more than damage to the home; it creates a financial burden for us regular folks to recover our property – an instability few can afford. The emotional stress brought on by severe weather is only compounded in today’s work-from-wherever era. Now that our homes often doubling as the “office”, the blows of severe weather at home is more than just a homeowner problem. It’s the employer’s problem, too. For example, employers have less say in the type of risk-mitigation efforts and preparedness their employees take against natural disasters. Maintaining a secure, connected workplace becomes a moot point when a [...]

Flynn Wright2022-07-14T21:50:49+00:00Tags: employer benefits programs, financial well-being, natural disasters|

The Ins And Outs of Multi-Peril Insurance

As you’re skimming – I mean, reading – your homeowners or renters insurance policy, you’ll come across the word “peril” quite frequently. But what exactly does peril mean in the insurance world? Well, we’re so glad you asked because it’s something we just cannot stop talking about. The folks over at the International Risk Management Institute define peril as a cause of loss (think windstorm or collision). The list of mishap events or perils your property will be protected against can be found outlined in your insurance policy; however, this doesn’t mean all the known, costly perils that could happen will be included in your plan. Okay, but what’s multiple-peril insurance? Let’s start by breaking down the two main types of multiple-peril policies: named peril and open peril. Named-peril plans are very strict and only cover what explicitly listed in your policy, while open-peril policies cover all losses except those [...]

Flynn Wright2022-07-14T21:51:42+00:00Tags: home insurance, insurance claims, natural disasters|

Peril Know-How: Winter Storms

Each year, the snow, ice, freezing, and flooding that comes with winter weather causes billions of dollars in insured losses along with a whole host of headaches (double ouch). According to the Insurance Information Institute, winter weather caused a record $15.1 billion in insured losses in the first few months of 2021. And, in much of the country, freezing temperatures and ice storms can last well into what we may have typically called “spring.” AccuWeather reports parts of the country are likely to experience extended winter weather this year. With all of this in mind, it’s important to not only prepare your property to weather the winter before the season but to monitor and maintain your home to handle all the season has to throw at it. Before the Season Starts Heading into winter storm season, it’s essential to get your home in order to help avoid – or even mitigate [...]

Flynn Wright2022-07-14T20:03:05+00:00Tags: homeowner tips, natural disasters, winter storms|