With more severe thunderstorms and possibly tornadoes in the forecast for portions of the central U.S. today, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) says a recent survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of PCI shows that residents in the Midwest are least likely to feel they are well prepared for natural disasters or severe weather.
The survey conducted online within the United States from March 20-24, 2015, found that 56 percent of Midwesterners say they are not well prepared for the aftermath of natural disasters or severe weather compared to 49 percent of Americans overall.
One of the keys to being prepared is having a disaster response plan that includes an emergency supply kit with food, water, first aid, as well as safely storing important documents and having a family communications plan with agreed upon meeting places. The survey found that only 16 percent of Midwesterners have taken these steps compared to 21 percent of Americans overall.
However Midwesterners were most likely, 76 percent, to say they have enough insurance to cover home damage or a total loss in the case of a natural disaster or severe weather event. But only 25 percent have conducted a yearly insurance review of their insurance policy and limits.
The survey had a positive finding in that 89 percent of Americans say having adequate insurance should be part of being prepared for natural disasters or severe weather.
Most tornado, windstorm, hail and similar severe weather-related losses are covered by either homeowners, renters or commercial insurance policies. Tornado losses to a home are covered by the “windstorm” peril under the homeowners insurance policy.
Renters insurance also provides coverage to policyholder possessions under this peril. Business owners are covered under their commercial policies. Protection from windstorm or hail damage for cars is covered under the “comprehensive” portion of the automobile insurance policy.
The survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of HomeServe from March 20-24, 2015, among 2,021 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
Source: PCI
Topics Carriers USA Natural Disasters
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