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Community Corner

Live near the beach? Why you need to review your insurance plan.

A new U.S. Geological Survey report highlights the vulnerability of coastal communities to damages from hurricane-induced erosion and flooding.

According to the report:

During storms, large waves may erode beaches, and high storm surge shifts the erosive force of the waves higher on the beach. In some cases, the combined effects of waves and surge may cause overwash (when waves and surge overtop the dune, transporting sand inland) or flooding. Building and infrastructure on or near a dune can be undermined during wave attack and subsequent erosion.

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"During Hurricane Ivan in 2004, a five-story condominium in Orange Beach, Alabama, collapsed after the sand dune supporting the foundation eroded. Hurricane Sandy, which made landfall as an extra-tropical cyclone on October 29, 2012, caused erosion and undermining that destroyed roads, boardwalks, and foundations in Seaside Heights, New Jersey.”

The devastating impact of last year’s Hurricane Sandy alone created $65 billion to date in total damages. As government officials review the USGS report and look for ways to identify and better prepare vulnerable areas, coastal residents must also take action to review their flood and disaster insurance policies to protect and minimize damage to their property in the event of a storm.

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Most homeowners don’t know they don’t have adequate coverage until it is too late. Here are some simple steps, provided by the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI), residents can take to be prepared:

  • Call or visit with your insurance agent or company well in advance of a storm to discuss your policy.
  • Review your property insurance policy, especially the “declarations” page, and check whether your policy pays replacement cost, or actual cash value for a covered loss.
  • Keep the name, address and claims-reporting telephone number of your insurer and agent in a safe and easily accessible place.
  • In the event of a claim, regularly maintain an up-to-date inventory of your possessions and property. This includes receipts and descriptions of household items, and photographs or video footage for further documentation. Keep this information and your insurance policies in a safe place, such as a safety deposit box.

Click here to review PCI's Insurance Checklist for more tips, and PCI’s Hurricane Headquarters for a directory of coverage options. Additional safety and preparedness tips can also be found at noaa.govweather.govredcross.org, and ready.gov/hurricanes

Contact Cliston Brown at (847) 553-3671 or cliston.brown@pciaa.net for more information.

PCI is composed of more than 1,000 member companies, representing the broadest cross-section of insurers of any national trade association. PCI members write over $190 billion in annual premium, 40 percent of the nation’s property casualty insurance. Member companies write 46 percent of the U.S. automobile insurance market, 32 percent of the homeowners market, 38 percent of the commercial property and liability market, and 41 percent of the private workers compensation market.

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