Be prepared: Check your insurance coverage

September is National Preparedness Month, so we’re partnering with the Office of Emergency Management and Office of Business Continuity to help the Case Western Reserve University community be more prepared in the event of an emergency. Each week, we will highlight a specific theme, as outlined by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). When a disaster occurs, some damage may not be preventable. But individuals can better equip themselves to address such damage with insurance. FEMA offers the following advice:

• Insurance is the first line of defense; check your insurance coverage and review the Document and Insure Property guide.
• Flood insurance allows communities and families to recover more quickly and more fully. Visit Floodsmart.gov to learn more about flood insurance and how to protect your home or business.

CWRU expert take

Megan Koeth, Case Western Reserve University’s emergency manager, offered the following advice. Knowing what your homeowner’s or renter's insurance covers is your first line of defense against disasters. Although northeast Ohio is fortunate to not have disasters like hurricanes and wildfires, it is still important to understand your coverage. You can experience house fires, basement backup, flooding, damage to your roof from wind and even theft. Having the proper insurance can cover those damages that you may incur. According to FEMA, more than half of Americans do not have adequate insurance coverage to protect them against the costly effects of disasters. Prior to working at Case Western Reserve, I worked for the American Red Cross and deployed to disasters and responded daily to local house fires. Almost all of the families I helped to assist did not think a fire or flood could happen to them. I have seen countless times where clients had assumed they were fully insured and the coverage was not as broad as they had thought.