WORCESTER, Mass., Aug. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The middle of August is the start of peak hurricane season, which continues through late October, placing many areas of the country on alert for potential risk. With this in mind, The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG) offers tips to help homeowners protect their families and properties in the event of a hurricane.
"Hurricanes can strike quickly and leave behind a lot of damage," said Tory D. Pachis, assistant vice president of personal lines marketing at The Hanover. "Preparing your home and developing a plan in advance of a hurricane can help minimize damage."
The Hanover suggests these six tips to help protect homeowners from the risk of hurricanes:
Know what's in your home. A home inventory is often overlooked. An industry poll indicated homeowners' insurance claims are processed nearly twice as fast if home inventories are completed in advance.
Gather supplies. It is always a good idea to create an emergency supplies kit. Consider including items such as flashlights, batteries, medicines, a first aid kit, cash, a battery-powered radio, and a week's worth of water and nonperishable food for the household.
Prepare your house. Make any necessary repairs to loose boards, shingles, downspouts or other items that can pose problems in high winds and torrential rain. Move any unsecured items indoors, including grills, toys, planters and lawn furniture. Trim or remove any decaying and damaged tree branches.
Have a plan. Learn the local evacuation routes and make note of where local shelters are located. Have key telephone numbers on hand, such as family, friends, fire and police departments, and your insurance agent.
Stay informed. Sign up for alerts if possible. Many towns offer weather alerts to help inform residents of ways to stay safe.
Check your insurance protection. An independent insurance agent can help ensure comprehensive coverages are in place. To find an agent, visit: www.hanover.com/find-an-agent. Some good questions to consider include:
- Are current rebuilding costs covered?
- Should separate flood insurance be considered?
- Are there any gaps in coverage?
Taking some time to prepare before a hurricane hits can help better protect your family and your property. The Hanover also has created an infographic with more tips for before, during and after the storm: http://bit.ly/2bbSEWs.
To learn more about The Hanover, please visit hanover.com. For additional tips on preparing and responding to a hurricane, visit ready.gov/hurricanes.
ABOUT THE HANOVER
The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., based in Worcester, Mass., is the holding company for several property and casualty insurance companies, which together constitute one of the largest insurance businesses in the United States. For more than 160 years, The Hanover has provided a wide range of property and casualty products and services to individuals, families, and businesses. The Hanover distributes its products through a select group of independent agents and brokers. Together with its agents, the company offers specialized coverages for small and mid-sized businesses, as well as insurance protection for homes, automobiles, and other personal items. Through its international member company, Chaucer, The Hanover also underwrites business at Lloyd's of London in several major insurance and reinsurance classes, including marine, property and energy. For more information, please visit hanover.com.
CONTACT:
Emily P. Trevallion
etrevallion@hanover.com
508-855-3263
Abby M. Clark
abclark@hanover.com
508-855-3549
The recommendation(s), advice and contents of this material are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to address every possible legal obligation, hazard, code violation, loss potential or exception to good practice. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries ("The Hanover") specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein will make any premises, property or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. Under no circumstances should this material or your acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein be construed as establishing the existence or availability of any insurance coverage with The Hanover. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.
©2016 The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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SOURCE The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.
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