Insurance 101: Hurricane Season Tips
With hurricane season here, there are some steps to get prepared before a storm threatens the area.
- Know your coverages. Review your policy to see if you have a hurricane deductible and flood insurance. Named storm and hurricane deductibles typically run two-five percent of the insured property value. There is typically a 30-day waiting period before a flood insurance policy takes effect.
- Store important documents off site. Locate copies of your social security card, birth certificate, banking information and your policies. Hard copies should be kept in a separate location, backed-up on a secure internet site, or a jump drive.
- Create a home inventory. Make a list of your belongings and use a smart phone to take pictures and video. Receipts and pictures will come in handy if you have to file a claim.
- Stock up on supplies. Keep things like tarps, plywood, hammers and zip ties on hand for temporary repairs after a storm.
Check out our Hurricane Resource Center for more storm season tips including Medicare emergency information.
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Hurricane Preparedness: Health Insurance
Reviewing your health coverage is an important step in emergency planning. Follow these steps to make sure you get the coverage you need before and after a storm.
Before a storm:
- Identify your network hospital and what coverage your plan provides.
- Identify the pharmacy you are most likely to use.
- Have an emergency supply of items like eyeglasses and hearing aid batteries.
When a storm is approaching:
- Find out about filling prescriptions in the event you are displaced.
- Find out if your doctor will give you a written prescription for any important medications you may need to fill away from home such as insulin or heart medications.
- Keep your prescriptions in their original containers and make sure they are properly stored in case some need refrigeration.
After the storm:
- If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), remember to save any medical or prescription receipts to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
- Contact your insurance company or go to their webpage to see a list of preferred hospitals and medical providers in the area you are staying.
- If you are in need of a hospital, check with your provider to make sure they have admitting privileges.
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Securing Your Data
A major cyber-attack has left businesses across the world searching for strategies to keep information safe online. A cybercrime is a criminal act involving a computer and a network. Cyber risk includes any risk associated with online activity, such as storing personal information online or completing online transactions. This includes damage to your or your business' reputation, financial loss or disruption to your life or your business operations. There are basic steps you can take to secure your information and data.
- Be alert to impersonators by being careful about who you trust online.
- Safely dispose of personal information by shredding documents using a cross-cut shredder.
- Use strict privacy settings on your computer, devices and browsers.
- Keep passwords private and complex.
- Be careful when sharing personal information on social media.
- Be cautious of what you download from the Internet.
For business owners, cyber liability insurance may help protect you in the event you are a victim. You can find more information in our brochure for small business owners.
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Volume 8, Issue 6 June 2017
Our monthly newsletter addresses consumer insurance topics as well as timely information on issues affecting senior citizens in Louisiana.
To find out if Consumer Advocacy will be in your area or to request a speaker for your organization or group, call (225) 219-0619 or send an email to: [email protected]