A tornado is a fascinating phenomenon:
- A strong tornado can pick up a house and move it down the block.
- Knives and forks have been found embedded in tree trunks flung from a tornado.
- Tornadoes can hop, thus leveling one house and leaving a neighboring house undamaged.
While these facts make interesting reading, tornadoes are far from interesting when they are swirling toward you.
Tornadoes are graded on a scale of F0 through F5. Statistically the F5 tornado is the least common but the most destructive. An F0 is the least destructive of tornadoes, but can do significant damage. For this reason, when faced with the possibility of a tornado of any strength, experts advise taking shelter underground. If not possible, go to an interior room, away from windows. If you cannot get to shelter, do what you can to protect your head from flying debris. Hopefully these steps will save you and your loved ones from bodily injury.
To ease the financial stress of property damage caused by a tornado, review your insurance coverage.
- Make sure your homeowners policy covers tornado damage.
- Check that the amount of coverage is adequate.
In the Midwest, the most common type of a homeowners insurance policy is either an HO3 or HO5. Both provide coverage for tornadoes causing a total loss of your home (Coverage A), loss of structures other than your home (Coverage B), loss of personal property (Coverage C), and additional living expenses (Coverage D). Having the right kinds of coverage is only half the battle; you must also make sure you have enough coverage.
You should purchase a policy amounting to at least 80% of the cost of rebuilding your entire home. This is referred to as “adequate” insurance. Please note that rebuilding cost relates to current costs of materials and labor, not what you paid for your home or what you could sell it for. If you are underinsured, your recovery will be limited, even with a partial loss.
Smith Insurance clients live in and around Milwaukee and have seen magnificent storms whip up the waters of Lake Michigan. They can appreciate the power of nature and likewise appreciate the destruction that can follow a storm. Make sure you are ready to shoulder the financial repercussions of powerful storms common in spring and summer.
Call us at 262-662-4327 or come to our office at W230 S8735 Clark Street, Big Bend, WI 53103. We will advise you on the kind and amount of coverage you need to bear the financial brunt of nature’s wrath.
