Disaster Resources - Before the Storm
Preparing for a Disaster: What You Can Do
Disaster Preparation/Planning
Before a storm or natural disaster hits is the time to prepare so that your agency is able to resume operations as quickly as possible. Not only will your agency have to possibly recover from the destruction but it will likely create long hours in the
following weeks as your staff helps customers with claims. Prepare for a hurricane or disaster by getting ahead now: Develop a plan, monitor storms and be ready to volunteer or accept volunteer assistance if needed.
NFIP Resources
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has pulled together a suite of resources for you. Help your clients prepare by sharing information on what to do before a flood. And after the flood, agents are often the first point of contact to begin the recovery process. FEMA/NFIP has created a printable Hurricane Resources List to help you.In addition, the NFIP Resource Library contains informational videos, post-disaster photography, customizable post cards and ready-to-use fact sheets to help you tell the story of flood risk and drive policy sales. We encourage you to distribute marketing resources during client meetings, on social media, in marketing emails, on company websites, and beyond.
All of these resources, including the Cost of Flooding Tool, can be found on https://agents.floodsmart.gov/.
Download the FEMA Mobile App(IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH)
FloodSmart – website for consumers
FloodSmart for Agents – website for agents
BEFORE A FLOOD
Hurricane Season Campaign Resources – online resources specifically for insurance agents (MANY MATERIALS IN SPANISH)
NFIP Resource Library -- year-round resources on flood insurance (MANY MATERIALS IN SPANISH)
Cost of Flooding Tool -- interactive tool for insurance agents to explain how much uninsured flooding can cost
DURING A FLOOD
Flood Safety Social Media Tool Kit (ENGLISH VERSION)
National Weather Service Social Media Tool Kit
AFTER A FLOOD
How to File a Flood Insurance Claim (IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH)
How Do I Start My Flood Claim? (ENGLISH)
How Do I Start My Flood Claim (SPANISH)
Who’s Knocking at Your Door? (IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH)
ACT Launches Disaster Planning Resource
Disasters, natural or otherwise, can hit any time and without notice. The Agents Council for Technology (ACT) wants to help you prepare your employees, physical office, data and systems with procedures to implement when disaster strikes.
The new ACT disaster planning resource will help you navigate the things you need to consider before a disaster,
such as steps to take during a disaster and tips for operating after disaster strikes. The resource includes a risk assessment to help you determine your agency's definition of “disaster," which may vary based on location.
A
good disaster plan enables you to focus on recovery and service, not searching for critical data or piecing together the tools you need to work. Complete and save the PDF form and document how your agency will continue providing services without power, phone and internet connections, and even a physical office location.
Disaster Planning Recommendations
In addition to basic disaster preparation and collecting supplies, there are some insurance agency specific things that you will want to take care of beforehand and keep in mind following the storm to make sure you can provide the best service to your customers. Special thanks to IIANC member Danny Cook, for sharing many of these tips based on his experience following Hurricane Matthew’s devastating effects on his area in 2016.
Volunteer to Help
If you are willing to help fellow IIANC members in impacted areas as they work with customers, process claims, etc. should the need arise, please sign up below.