Summary
Our great (and adventurous) state has had more than 50 FEMA-declared major disasters in the past 25 years - yikes! The importance of property insurance cannot be overlooked. Ensuring Oklahomans have adequate and updated coverage to weather life's storms, as well as a home inventory to prove ownership and value of their belongings, is the final way we can be #ReadyOK.
This 10-post toolkit was released as part of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management's yearlong 12 Ways to Prepare social media campaign in 2024. This campaign aimed to encourage residents to be #ReadyOK while equipping them to that end with practical tools and tips. December's focus was Document and Insure Property, and the campaign teased easy steps to take toward that end as well as insurance basics and directed them to the resources of the Oklahoma Insurance Department.
1. Review
CHECK ✅ In November, we explored ways to #GetInvolvedinCommunity. Now, we’re looking at arguably one of the MOST important aspects of preparedness in our wild OK, and perhaps the most overl👀ked: #DocumentandInsureProperty 🙈
We know this can evoke feelings of #overwhelm, but did you know the Oklahoma Insurance Department has already laid out the steps and information for you? 😲
We’ll be talking about this all month. You can also visit the link below for quick tips NOW⬇️
https://www.oid.ok.gov/consumers/get-ready/helpful-downloads
#YouCan #12WaysToPrepare #ReadyOK #OklahomaWay
2. Intro
Who wants their life to go back to normal after a disaster? ✋ Then you should #DocumentandInsureProperty now 🤠👍
Making sure you have the coverage you need and maintaining a detailed inventory of your belongings might sound like a mountain you can’t climb, but the Oklahoma Insurance Department has the tools you need for this VITAL #preparedness step!
We’ll be sharing their advice all month long, so tune in to find your starting place!
If you already find yourself in the ruins after a disaster (we’re so sorry 😢), visit this link to learn your next steps: https://loom.ly/nLtGv3o
3. Adequate Coverage
No matter how long you’ve lived in Oklahoma, you probably know property insurance is a REALLY good idea.. 👀
If you don’t, consider that our state has had more than 5️⃣0️⃣ FEMA-declared major disasters in the past 2️⃣5️⃣ years (yikes)❗️😬
Disasters will come. Be sure your coverage is adequate - visit https://www.oid.ok.gov/consumers/insurance-basics/choosing-your-homeowners-insurance-policy/#1569238294282-8b8da3bd-eaad for guidance and information on insurance decisions.
#YouCan #DocumentandInsureProperty #12WaysToPrepare #ReadyOK
4. Review Your Policy
Consider this your friendly reminder to 📣 REVIEW YOUR INSURANCE POLICY 📣
Life changes quickly 🏠🛋️🚼🪑💍🚗 Be sure your insurance is caught up so you have the coverage you need to weather life’s storms!
https://www.oid.ok.gov/consumers/insurance-basics/choosing-your-homeowners-insurance-policy/
#YouCan #DocumentandInsureProperty #12WaysToPrepare #ReadyOK
5. Consider Flood Insurance
2️⃣ things to know about flood insurance: 1. Your standard insurance policy will not cover flood-related losses! 😱🌊
2. Flood insurance doesn’t go into effect immediately after you buy it - it has a 30-day waiting period unless you buy it at the same time as your new house ⏰
NOW is the time to consider adding flood coverage, not when there is a large storm on the horizon ⛈️
Find Flood Insurance FAQs at https://www.oid.ok.gov/consumers/insurance-basics/disasters/floods/flood-faqs/
#YouCan #DocumentandInsureProperty #12WaysToPrepare #ReadyOK
6. Consider Earthquake Insurance
2️⃣ things to know about earthquake insurance: 1. Your standard insurance policy doesn’t have it❗️
2. If you have earthquake insurance, it may or may not cover earthquakes caused by wastewater injection - it depends on the policy language! Ask your insurance agent to confirm man-made earthquakes due to oil and gas activities are covered 👍
Find Earthquake Coverage FAQs at https://www.oid.ok.gov/consumers/insurance-basics/disasters/earthquakes/
#YouCan #DocumentandInsureProperty #12WaysToPrepare #ReadyOK
7. Replacement vs Actual Cash
#DidYouKnow you have the option to insure your home and belongings for either replacement cost OR actual cash value ❓
🔁 Replacement cost is the amount it would take to replace or rebuild your home or repair damages with materials of similar kind and quality, WITHOUT deducting for depreciation.
💵 Actual cash value is the amount it would take to repair or replace damage to your home AFTER depreciation.
Learn more on this handy checklist from our friends at the OklahomaInsuranceDepartment: https://www.oid.ok.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/052021_Checklist.pdf
#YouCan #DocumentandInsureProperty #12WaysToPrepare #ReadyOK
8. Document Your Property
Headaches are a given after any major disaster, but maintaining an inventory of your property’s contents WILL help 👍
Your inventory will help prove ownership and value of your belongings, which can speed your claim processing and provide documentation for tax deductions you can claim for your losses. An up-to-date inventory can also help you determine the correct amount of insurance to purchase!
✅Our friends @OklahomaInsuranceDepartment have made a user-friendly #HomeInventory #checklist available at https://www.oid.ok.gov/consumers/get-ready/home-inventory-checklist/. Be sure to check it out!
#YouCan #DocumentandInsureProperty #12WaysToPrepare #ReadyOK
9. Easy Categories
How do you eat an elephant? 🐘 You can’t 🤪 But #YouCAN tackle your home inventory in much smaller bites via categories!
Our friends at the Oklahoma Insurance Department recommend sorting your belongings into logical categories that work best for you!
This could be by room, type, age or price 📦
#DocumentandInsureProperty #12WaysToPrepare #ReadyOK
10. NAIC Home Inventory App
#DidYouKnow the National Association of Insurance Commissioners has a free app to help you #DocumentandInsureProperty?
The Home Inventory App makes it easy to create a record of all your belongings, including the ability to scan barcodes and upload photos of your items. Check it out at https://content.naic.org/consumer/home-inventory
#YouCan #12WaysToPrepare #ReadyOK
