​When hurricane season arrives, protecting your home and belongings becomes very important. For those of us in Texas and on the Gulf Coast, one key step is to make a home inventory. This list helps you keep track of your things and makes it easier to file insurance claims if something gets damaged. Follow these steps to create a home inventory before a hurricane.

1. **Gather Your Tools**

Before you start, get these tools ready:

- A notebook or a digital device (smartphone, tablet, or laptop)
- A camera or smartphone for photos
- A measuring tape for larger items
- A checklist or template to stay organized

2. **Go Room by Room**

Start with one room and go through your entire home. This way, you won’t miss anything. Here’s what to do in each space:

- **Living Room:** List furniture, electronics, artwork, and decorative items.
- **Kitchen:** Include appliances, cookware, dishes, and food supplies.
- **Bedrooms:** Note beds, dressers, clothing, and personal items.
- **Bathrooms:** Write down toiletries, linens, and valuable accessories.
- **Garage/Basement/Attic:** Don’t forget tools, seasonal items, and storage boxes.

3. **Document Your Items**

For each item, write down these details:

- **Description:** Name and description (e.g., brand, model, year)
- **Condition:** State of the item (new, good, worn)
- **Value:** Estimated price or how much you paid
- **Serial Numbers:** Note serial numbers for electronics or appliances

4. **Take Photos and Videos**

Use your smartphone to take clear photos of each room and item. You can also make a video showing your home and describing items. Make sure the lighting is good so everything is easy to see.

 5. **Store Your Inventory Safely**

Once you finish your inventory, save it in a safe place. If it’s digital, store it in the cloud so you can access it even if your home gets damaged. If it’s on paper, keep it in a waterproof container or take it with you if you evacuate.

6. **Review and Update Regularly**

Keep your home inventory up to date. Review it regularly, especially after buying or changing items in your home. This way, your records stay accurate and useful.

7. **Check Your Insurance Policy**

After documenting your items, look over your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. Make sure you have enough coverage for your belongings, especially high-value items. If needed, talk to your insurance agent for help.

8. **Prepare for the Storm**

Once your inventory is ready, focus on other ways to prepare. Secure your property, gather supplies, and make an evacuation plan if necessary. Having your home inventory handy will help reduce stress if disaster strikes.

Creating a home inventory may feel like a lot of work, but it is an essential part of getting ready for hurricanes. A good record of your belongings will help you if something gets damaged. Take the time now to protect your things and feel more at ease during hurricane season. Stay safe!

​June 1 marks the first day of hurricane season. Everyone from Texas to New York should stay weather aware during hurricane season.

Take time now to prepare your home and household for any severe weather that comes your way. Remember, hurricanes are not just a coastal problem; they can also affect inland areas with rain, water, and high winds. Plan ahead and help prepare for a hurricane with this handy checklist.

✓ Create an emergency preparedness kit.

Depending on the severity of the storm, you may not have access to food, water or electricity for days. Have an emergency kit for your home ready to go that includes non-perishable foods, personal and financial records, a first aid kit, battery-powered electronics and more. Check out our emergency preparedness infographic for a full list of items to include in your kit.

✓ Make a plan.
Have a meeting with all the members of your household to discuss your emergency plan. Designate one room to best protect you from high winds —a small, windowless room that is safe from flooding. If your home is in an area that is likely to flood, or if you live in a mobile home, plan to evacuate and find accommodations in a designated community shelter or at a friend or family's home.

Sign up for FEMA's text messaging alert system and your community's emergency alerts to be aware of severe weather warnings in place and the location of nearby shelters if advised to evacuate. Know your evacuation route and practice it often.

✓ Prepare your home.

Can your home withstand hurricane-force winds? There are plenty of ways to help protect the exterior of your home during severe weather. Before a hurricane makes landfall, remove any outdoor patio furniture, clear debris from your drains and gutters, reinforce your garage doors and consider installing hurricane shutters.

✓ Create a personal property inventory.

Having a record of all your valuable belongings will help you out significantly if you have to file an insurance claim. Find out what you should include in your inventory and the best way to record it here.

✓ Check your homeowners insurance policy.

Most homeowners insurance policies will cover the damages sustained in a hurricane, but not the floods that can follow. Review your insurance policy and speak with your independent insurance agent about what limitations your policy may have in place and make adjustments accordingly. Contact your agent early as some coverage may have a waiting period, also known as a qualifying period, before it can start.

Do you have flood insurance? Find a Foremost insurance agent near you that can help as you choose the right policy to protect your home.
​

As the vibrant colors of spring begin to blossom, it’s the perfect season for renewal and fresh starts. Beyond revitalizing our gardens and cleaning out our homes, spring offers an ideal opportunity to reassess one of the most essential aspects of our lives: our insurance needs. Just as we embrace growth and change in our surroundings, we should also take time to evaluate our coverage to ensure it aligns with our current circumstances. 

Why Assess Your Insurance Needs?

Life is full of transitions—new jobs, marriages, births, or even the purchase of a home. These changes can significantly impact your financial landscape and, consequently, your insurance requirements. Failing to periodically review your policies might leave you underinsured, overpaying, or worse, without adequate protection. Spring gives us a chance to reflect and make necessary adjustments to safeguard our future.

Key Areas to Consider

1. **Life Events:** Major life changes should prompt a thorough review of your insurance. For instance, if you recently welcomed a child, you may need to increase your life insurance or consider a new health plan to include your growing family. Similarly, marriage or divorce may lead to adjustments in both life and property insurance.

2. **Asset Changes:** Have you recently bought or sold valuable assets like a car or home? It’s crucial to update your insurance policies to reflect these changes. Additionally, consider whether you need additional coverage for new assets, such as jewelry or electronic devices.

3. **Health Changes:** As we age or experience health changes, our insurance needs may evolve. Review your health insurance plan to ensure it covers all necessary medical services. If you’ve developed a chronic condition, for example, you may need a plan with wider network coverage or better prescription benefits.

4. **Coverage Gaps:** Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home; it’s also time to clean up any gaps in your insurance coverage. Assess whether your current policies adequately protect you from risks like natural disasters, liability claims, or other unforeseen events. 

5. **Changing Financial Priorities:** Your financial goals may shift over time. If you are saving for retirement, the policies you had in place as a newlywed might not align with your current financial plans. Reevaluate life insurance and investment policies to ensure they still fit your financial strategy.

Steps to Reassess Your Insurance Needs

1. **Conduct a Policy Review:** Gather all your current insurance policies—home, auto, health, life, and any others. Take note of the coverage limits, deductibles, and premiums.

2. **Identify Changes:** Reflect on the life events and changes that have occurred since your last review. Make a list of any new priorities, assets, or needs that should be addressed in your insurance.

3. **Consult an Agent:** Don’t hesitate to reach out to an insurance agent for guidance. They can help clarify complicated terms and suggest coverage options tailored to your current circumstances.

4. **Compare Policies:** Take this opportunity to shop around. Comparing insurance providers can reveal better coverage options at competitive rates. Online tools and resources make this process easier than ever.

5. **Update Your Coverage:** After evaluating your needs and considering new options, update your policies accordingly. Ensure that all changes are documented and confirm that you understand your new coverage.

As we enjoy the renewal that spring brings, let’s not forget to reassess the things that protect us. Embracing a fresh start with your insurance needs allows you to better safeguard your future and bring peace of mind. Whether it’s through enhancing your coverage or eliminating unnecessary costs, taking the time for this important reassessment can lead to greater financial security.

Spring into action and review your insurance needs today! By doing so, you'll not only protect what you have but also prepare for the exciting changes yet to come.

As you prepare to host your holiday celebrations, it's important to be aware of the potential liabilities associated with throwing parties at home. It’s equally as critical for hosts to then take steps to mitigate risks where possible. 

With that in mind, we are sharing a review of general liability information and key tips to keep in mind when hosting. 

If you have any questions about your liability as a host, please don't hesitate to reach out. Our team is here to help!

Today, we’re highlighting an essential coverage option that is perfect for commercial and residential construction projects: builders risk insurance. 

Swipe for more information, and give us a call with any questions or for a complimentary quote. We're here to help you succeed in your next construction venture!

​Unfortunately, the period of festive cheer we’re now enjoying comes with a rise in cyberattacks. 

With this in mind, we have put together some information about why cyber insurance is a critical component of your business strategy. Swipe through to learn more. 

Let’s work together to ensure your business is fully protected this holiday season. Reach out to our team with any questions about cyber insurance or to review your current coverage. We’re here to help.

​

Getting into the food truck industry can be a nice way to achieve your entrepreneurial dreams, but it’s not as easy as buying a truck and food supplies, then hitting the streets. Here are tips from fellow food truck owners on how you should get started!   

61 Owners Share Secrets to Starting a Food Truck Business
roaminghunger.com/blog/13208/advice-for-starting-a-food-truck-business

10 Things to Do Before Opening a Food Truck
www.businessnewsdaily.com/8595-food-truck-tips.html

Whether you own a site-built home, mobile home, RV or small business, it's always a good idea to create a Personal Property Inventory. Photos, etc. of big-ticket items can be very helpful in the event of a claim! ​

Are you a business owner? Here are two alarming statistics about natural disasters for you: As many as 4 of 10 businesses that experience a natural disaster never recover.
​
Worse, at least 1 in 4 businesses that are forced to close in the wake of a disaster never reopens. And if your business is small, or if all of your operations are in one location, the outlook worsens.

If your business is located in a hurricane zone, you need to have a disaster plan in place.

Luckily, you have an abundance of resources. You can find step-by-step help for disaster planning, response and recovery in FEMA’s Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry. Other sources include ready.gov and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS).

Insurance Considerations

Once the hurricane has passed, you may need quick access to funds to:
1. Repair damage to your business property.
2. Mitigate lost income.

Does your business have insurance to provide the funds necessary to survive a disruption in your income? What should you consider when reviewing your business’s insurance plan?

Direct Hurricane Damage

Review your property insurance for common threats. Be sure your policy includes coverage for the threats commonly associated with hurricanes, such as wind damage and falling trees. Note that many standard property insurance policies do not include coverage for common threats such as damage caused by flooding, power outages, or the cost for repairs specifically associated with building code compliance. (For example, if the electrical wiring in your building is not up to code, any additional cost incurred during storm repair to update the electrical system to meet code would not be covered).

Don’t assume coverage is perfect. Even if you see that a threat is covered by your policy, note that the coverage for some items may be limited. For example, many policies will cover damage caused to your property by a fallen tree, but the cost of removing the fallen tree may be limited or not covered at all.

Your policy may also may include coverage limitations for outdoor property such as fences and signs as well as personal property (like tools, equipment or stock) that is left outdoors.

To help identify coverage and limitations, consider scheduling a policy review with your Trusted Choice® Independent Insurance Agent at First Community Financial Group.

Review your deductible.

Some policies include a separate deductible for claims caused by a hurricane or named storm. Such a deductible is typically higher than the policy’s deductible for other types of claims like fire or theft.

A hurricane deductible may be calculated based on a percentage of the value of property at the time of the damage. For example, say your building is valued at $100,000. Your policy includes a standard deductible of $1,000 and a separate “hurricane deductible” of 4%. If your building is partially damaged by a fire, you are responsible for the first $1,000 before the insurance company will kick in any funds. However, if your building is partially damaged by a hurricane, you are responsible for the first $4,000.

Note that some states have laws regarding the application of such deductibles. To see if your state has special rules regarding deductibles, contact your Trusted Choice® Independent Insurance Agent.

Floods, a Consequence of Hurricanes

Floods are the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S., according to FEMA. The definition of “flood” encompasses many sources of rising or flowing water and includes torrential rain and tidal surge. It’s no surprise that flooding usually accompanies a hurricane, and the damage it causes can be costlier and more widespread than that caused by a hurricane’s winds.

It’s essential for you as a property owner to know that most property insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is typically available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and may be available from other insurance companies as well. Your Trusted Choice® Independent Insurance Agent is the best source to assist you in putting together a flood insurance plan for your business.

Lost Income

It’s easy to see how significant property damage from a storm could harm your business. But here’s something you may not know: The resulting loss of continued income is the leading reason so many businesses are never able to reopen after the storm has passed.
The good news is that there’s a type of insurance designed to help businesses like yours maintain an income stream after the storm. It’s called business interruption insurance, and it provides income for your business to fulfill its financial obligations (like bills and payroll) as well as to mitigate financial losses due to fewer customers.

Unfortunately, all too few business owners know about business interruption insurance, or they make the costly decision not to purchase it.

Business interruption insurance can also mitigate supply chain disruption caused by a hurricane. For example, say your restaurant survived the storm with little or no damage, but your primary food supplier’s warehouse was destroyed. Even though your restaurant was not directly damaged, the financial consequence of the hurricane to your business is still significant. Ask your Trusted Choice® Independent Insurance Agent if it may be possible to amend your business interruption insurance policy to include coverage for your business should another business on which yours depends suffers crippling damage.

Include Insurance in Your Disaster Plan

You need a disaster plan for your business, and no disaster plan is complete without a review of your insurance coverage. For assistance, call your Trusted Choice® Independent Insurance Agent today at First Community Financial Group 936-327-4364.

Content provided by ​Trusted Choice®.