February 5th is US Disaster Day which focuses on the importance of disaster awareness and management. According to CoreLogic, 1 in 10 homes were impacted by natural disasters in 2021 with property damage totaling almost $57 billion. Winter storms were the leading cause of damage followed by hurricanes, the severe weather category, which includes tornadoes and hailstorms, then wildfires. 

Unfortunately, not every disaster can be prevented, but you can take measures to bolster the protection of your home and family.

catastrophe insurance and riders

A lot of homeowners are unaware of gaps in their insurance coverage until it's too late. Standard policies typically include damage from lightning, fires, hail, vandalism, and windstorms. Damage from falling trees and plumbing issues are occasionally covered. If you live in a flood zone and have a mortgage, your lender will likely require you to carry flood insurance. If you're unsure about your home's flood risk, you can search for your address on the FEMA Service Center.

As you can see, a standard policy fails to cover many potential disasters, particularly if you live in an area prone to extreme weather conditions. To make sure you're protected, you can add individual catastrophe riders to your policy for events such as: earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, sinkholes, wildfires, tsunamis, and landslides. There are also endorsements for sump pump failure that will cover water backups and basement flooding.

Rising global temperatures are making severe weather events more common. In the 1980s, the average number of US natural disasters that cost over $1 billion was three per year. During the 2010s, that average rose to 13 annually. Heat waves in the United States are now occurring three times more often than they did in the 1960s. Given this trend, now is the time to talk to your insurance agent and make sure you're adequately covered for conditions in your area.

smart home devices

Smart home technology has made it easier than ever to monitor every aspect of your home's safety. If you're prepared to make a major investment, whole-home systems can be professionally installed for extra peace of mind. There are also plenty of affordable devices that require minimal setup.

Moisture sensors are either installed in the water supply line to detect changes in flow and water pressure, or they are placed in areas prone to leaking like bathrooms, laundry rooms, beneath sinks, and near sump pumps or dishwashers. If water is detected, it will send a notification to your phone and some sensors are able to activate the sump pump or turn off the water flow. If a small leak goes undetected for an extended amount of time it can cause a lot of damage, so these sensors can render huge cost savings for any household.

Traditional smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are a must for home safety, but they're generally only helpful if you're home when the alarm sounds. If you return home and the alarm is going off, the risk could already be extensive. Smart sensors alert you to danger no matter where you are. Many can even be set up to immediately notify the fire department. Smart smoke detectors also have more advanced options such as turning on smart lights so people in the home can see if a fire occurs at nighttime.

Freeze sensors monitor the temperature and notify you when it's cold enough that pipes are at risk of freezing. In areas that regularly experience below-freezing temps, these devices are an effective way to prevent water damage.

Air quality sensors not only monitor carbon monoxide levels but also volatile organic compounds and particulate matter. In addition, they measure ambient temperature and humidity to keep your home comfortable and in top condition.

disaster plans for your household

It's imperative that your household has an emergency plan in place. You should have a disaster kit ready and determine safe locations on the property for different scenarios. In the event of an evacuation, make sure your family has chosen a spot to meet outside of the home. All household members should know the locations of utilities and fire extinguishers. You should practice your emergency plan at least every six months. If you need help organizing a course of action for your family, visit the American Red Cross or Ready.gov.