No matter where you live, each season brings the chance for severe weather. In Illinois, it’s very likely we’ll experience wind, hail, thunderstorms and even tornadoes in the spring and summer months, which can damage homes and farm property.
Here are a few steps you can take now to make sure you’re prepared when severe weather hits.
Review Your Coverage
According to a 2023 survey from COUNTRY Financial, six in 10 homeowners across America worry they won’t have enough money to repair their homes if damage occurs. Meet with your COUNTRY Financial insurance agent annually to share updates you’ve made to your home or farm, such as renovations or adding new farm buildings, to help ensure you have adequate coverage in case severe weather hits.
If your basement is finished or holds valuables, you may need coverage for sump pump failure or backup of sewer or drain. Talk with your insurance agent to find the coverage that fits your needs.
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Take Inventory
If something were to happen to your home and the belongings inside were destroyed, could you list every item you own? If you don’t think you can do it on a regular day, you probably won’t be able to do it under extreme stress after a natural disaster or fire strikes.
That’s why having a home inventory for insurance on file (or even saved in your email) is so important. A home inventory list or video taken on your phone can save you time and headaches when going through the home insurance claim process.
Farm clients can utilize a COUNTRY Financial farm inventory template that can be used to document farm equipment and property along with its value and where it’s located. Reach out to your insurance agent to get a copy, or visit countryfinancial.com to download it.
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Have an Emergency Plan
Midwest weather, especially tornadoes, can be life-threatening. Create an emergency plan for your family, and if you operate a farm, your employees. First, find the most secure place to take shelter. This could be a basement, crawl space, internal closet or bathtub.
Build an emergency preparedness kit for a storm or power outage that includes items like bottled water, nonperishable food, batteries, flashlights, a weather radio, a first aid kit and a battery pack for cell phone chargers.
Don’t forget to communicate your plan to family members and employees.
Severe weather in Illinois is inevitable, but taking steps to prepare can lessen its impact. For more information on home insurance, farm insurance and preparedness tips, visit countryfinancial.com.
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About the Author: Jesse Kohlbecker has spent most of his career in insurance, currently serving as the vice president of claims and client services at COUNTRY Financial.
