The Parry Sound fires of 2018 forced more than 1,000 people to leave their homes and businesses with many more given warnings that they could be asked to evacuate as well. Severe events like that and the Toronto Flood of 2013 are unexpected and cause havoc with the lives that get caught in their paths, forcing people to act fast and possibly leave everything they have behind.
Although personal safety is paramount in everyone’s minds when an evacuation is ordered, it’s stressful not knowing what might happen to your possessions. Preparing for a claim before a disaster happens gives you more confidence in your coverage so that you can focus on what truly is important—your safety. Being prepared to make a claim ensures the process will be much smoother and allows you to quickly gather all the information needed. Below are some ways you can prepare yourself:
- Always keep original receipts or documentation: When you are making a claim, it helps to have proof of the purchase price for your property or possession.
- Create a home inventory: Many times, people won’t have all their valuables insured and only realize this when they attempt to make a claim. Use photos or videos with detailed descriptions to easily create a record of your valuables and property. Your smartphone will take clear enough videos and photos to use, and adding narration will provide even more detail. By creating a home inventory, you’re ensuring all of your precious items are accounted for.
- Have your valuables or property appraised: Getting your valuables and property appraised helps with accurately identifying the current worth of your items.
- Review your policy and talk to your broker: There’s no harm in reviewing your policy as it ensures you have the proper coverage you need. It also gives you the chance to learn about other options that could further protect you. Did you know that under Unica’s LIVEasy Home coverage, your policy will cover 225% of the rebuild cost of your home? That’s 25% higher than the industry standard. As part of your coverage, Unica will also cover any resulting and necessary increases in living expenses if you’re ordered from your home as part of a mass evacuation. Speak to your Broker for full details and limits.
Before the unanticipated occurs, you can lessen the impact of a possible loss by preparing info you may need for a claim. At the very least, recovering the items and property you may lose will be much easier to process.
