Do You Have a Disaster Recovery Plan?

By the time a natural disaster like Hurricane Michael hits, you will quickly be in the thick of it and probably won’t have the ability to do much more than survive the event. This is what makes having a disaster recovery plan so important in the first place – it can provide you with the peace of mind and confidence that comes from knowing you’ve planned ahead and are as prepared as you possibly can be for whatever happens. If your home, business, or other property has been seriously damaged by a natural disaster, don’t delay consulting with an experienced Panama City insurance claims lawyer.

You Can’t Stop a Natural Disaster from Happening, but You Can Prepare for It

In the event of a natural disaster, there are certain things, such as important documents, that you’ll want to safeguard, but waiting until the disaster strikes is almost certain to be too late. Keeping your important documents in a waterproof, fireproof, portable safe will help protect them whether you’re able to grab them before exiting the premises or not. Documents you should consider storing thus include:

• Birth certificates
• Titles to cars and other property
• Deeds and mortgages
• The documents that make up your financial portfolio
• Important insurance policies
• Your marriage license
• Any papers, letters, or documents that are irreplaceable to you

It’s also a good idea to back your efforts up by scanning and storing these documents in the cloud and/or on a memory stick.

Your Plan for Intervention after the Fact

Because natural disasters are so unpredictable and potentially dangerous, it’s very likely that disaster recovery officials will only allow you a small window of time – if any – to access your home and/or business in the disaster’s aftermath. This makes planning ahead that much more critical. With a strategy in place beforehand, you’ll be that much better prepared to save your cherished possessions. Keeping those items most valuable to you in a predetermined space – and keeping a record of these items – is the first step in this process.

Although water damage is extremely destructive and pervasive, it’s important to remember that it doesn’t obliterate everything it comes in contact with, and some of your possessions may be salvageable post-flooding.

Keep a Well-Stocked Disaster Recovery Kit

You should make it your practice to always have a disaster recovery kit on hand, and it’s a great idea to keep one in your car and one in your home. Include items such as the following:

• A durable flashlight and batteries
• Waterproof, heavy-duty shoes or boots
• Several pairs of heavy-duty, waterproof gloves
• Plastic boxes and bins and/or clear plastic bags for removal and storage
• A disposable camera and film to record the damage wrought for insurance purposes (and in case your phone isn’t working)
• An inventory of those possessions you most want to protect (and their locations)

You Need an Experienced Panama City Insurance Claims Attorney on Your Side

If a natural disaster leaves your home or property seriously damaged or destroyed, the dedicated Panama City insurance claims attorneys at Ged Lawyers, LLP are well-prepared to help you recover for your losses. For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at 850-684-4000 today.