Be a Force of Nature in Northfield Township during National Severe Weather Preparedness Week

March 3rd-9th is National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. Know your severe weather risk and take action in order to be prepared. You can also Be a Force of Nature in Northfield Township during National SevereWeather Preparedness Week as well. Being a Force of Nature goes beyond taking appropriate preparedness action. It’s about inspiring others to
do the same.

Recognize that as we transition from winter to spring saturated ground from snow melt combined with additional rainwater can pose a significant risk to your home and personal property. Now is the time to plan ahead and take action to reduce your risk and be better prepared.

Examine your homeowners insurance policy to better understand what is and is not covered in the form of water damage. Sewer back up insurance may be necessary to cover damages that occurred where no surface water flooding has occurred.

Sewer backup insurance, coverage for damages caused by backup through sewer and drains, is available on most homeowners policies, usually as an additional rider. There is a limit on coverage and a separate deductible.

Sewer backup insurance may or may not also cover damage due to sump pump failure or power interruption, and does not cover damage from surface water or foundation seepage. Contact your insurance advisor to become fully informed as to how your home is protected against sewer back up.

Understand Your Flood Risk: Know That Sewer Back Up Insurance Is Not The Same As Flood Insurance.

"People who live on top of the hill don't need flood insurance." Not true, according
to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and just one of the many
myths surrounding the agency's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). When it
comes to flood insurance, not having the facts can literally cost you your life's savings.

Myth: Homeowners insurance policies cover flooding.

Fact: Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flooding. Homeowners
can include personal property coverage under a National Flood Insurance Program
policy, and residential and commercial renters can purchase flood coverage for
their contents.

Myth: If you do not live in a high-flood-risk area, you do not need flood insurance.

Fact: All areas are susceptible to flooding. Nearly 25 percent of the National
Flood Insurance Program claims come from outside high-flood-risk areas.

Myth: You can't buy flood insurance immediately before or during a flood.

Fact: You can buy National Flood Insurance anytime - but the policy isn't effective until a 30-day waiting period after the first premium payment.

Myth: National Flood Insurance can only be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program directly.

Fact: NFIP flood insurance is sold through private insurance companies and agents. The federal government backs it. 

Check with your insurance advisor to better understand how your home is protected from water damage from both sewer back-upas well as flood.

You can also Be a Force of Nature in Northfield Township during National
Severe Weather Preparedness Week as well. Being a Force of Nature goes beyond taking appropriate preparedness action. It’s about inspiring others to do the same.

I’m asking Northfield Township residents not only to be prepared, but to Be a Force of Nature and share your story with your family and friends. Encourage your social network to act by texting, tweeting, or posting a Facebook status update about how you researched your risk to water damage and flood, and the actions you took to become better prepared.