Coastal communities only halfway ready for a major storm
Survey finds Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia most prepared
Average insured homeowners throughout Gulf and Atlantic coastal communities have taken just half the steps which would best position them to recover from a major storm, according to a new Hurricane Readiness Index. The index is based on a survey that asked individuals whether they had taken eight key preparedness steps, including whether they have an inventory of their possessions, whether they feel they have enough homeowners or federal flood insurance, and whether they have critical documents ready to go in case of evacuation. The poll was taken for seven of the nation’s leading property and casualty insurance companies.
The survey-wide index average is 48 percent. Respondents in coastal Louisiana topped the chart having taken 60 percent of the steps. Coastal Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia have taken 58 percent, while Floridians also fared better than the national average, with index numbers from 52 to 58 percent. Those in Connecticut, Maryland, New York, Massa-chusetts and Maine have taken only about one-third of the steps, with index ratings from 36 to 39 percent.
Insured homeowners in Eastern and Southern Coastal Texas have, on average, taken roughly 50 percent of the steps to prepare their homes and property to recover from a major hurricane. While 65 percent of Southern Coastal Texas residents know their homeowners insurance policies don’t cover floods, only 31 percent (less than half) said they have flood insurance. The same discrepancy exists in Eastern Coastal Texas, where 82 percent know their homeowners insurance policies don’t cover floods and only 42 percent have flood insurance. Eastern Coastal Texas is defined as Beaumont to just east of Corpus Christi; Southern Coastal Texas is Corpus Christi to Brownsville.
“Homeowners along the Gulf Coast, who are more experienced with hurricane damage and preparedness, lead the nation in personal readiness, but the research shows that there are still steps that need to be taken,” said Dr. Bob Sheets, former director of the National Hurricane Center, who presented the poll at a news conference in Washington in early July. “It’s good news that people there have taken a range of steps to get ready, but every coastal resident in the region should also consider what else needs to be done before they’re fully prepared.”
The numbers come from a survey taken after months of post-Katrina news stories and reports marking the start of this year’s hurricane season.
“It’s not too late to get ready,” said Jeanne Salvatore, senior vice president of the Insurance Information Institute, “but it’s close. There is a 30-day waiting period for federal flood insurance to take effect. So homeowners need to call their agents now to make sure their coverage is up to date. There are also things people can do that don’t cost a thing–it’s just a matter of getting it done now, while there’s still time.”
The poll surveyed 4,200 respondents in Gulf and Atlantic coastal communities over two weeks in mid-June. The margin of error on the survey-wide sample is +/- 1.5 percent.
The Hurricane Readiness Index was compiled from answers to preparedness questions regarding whether or not the respondent: Has a personal disaster evacuation plan or kit; Reviewed homeowners insurance policies within the past 12 months; Updated homeowners insurance policy in the past 5 years; Made an inventory of their personal possessions; Made improvements to their home to prepare for a hurricane; Is a homeowner with insurance who has a separate flood policy; Feel they have the “right amount” of insurance coverage; and Stored important documents in a safe place.
The companies sponsoring the poll are Allstate, The Hartford, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, State Farm, Travelers and USAA.
Each company has ongoing education programs, as does the non-profit Insurance Information Institute, which launched an updated consumer education Web site, www.disasterinformation.org. It provides readiness tips, helps assess appropriate levels of insurance, and provides free easy-to-use software to help homeowners inventory and document their possessions.