Disaster Command Post: Preparation Tips for Insurance Agents

Hurricane Idalia is expected to impact Florida this week. Now is the time to make any last-minute preparations. Here are five tips to help you get prepared.

Agency preparation tips

1. Post toll-free claims numbers for all your carriers on your website and social media pages. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation provides a list on its website. Remind insureds to always call their company first to help curtail Assignment of Benefits fraud.
2. Help your customers understand coverages and deductibles by posting and sharing What Insureds Need to Know About Insurance and Hurricanes. Other agent-to-consumer tools, including a Water vs. Wind Damage primer, are available in the Disaster Command Post.
3. Make sure you have plenty of printed ACORD Notice of Loss forms on hand. Also download and print copies of FAIA's Agent's Memo of Loss form. Use of a standard memo of loss is important during the heavy workload and confusion following a big storm—especially if your agency management system is down.
4. Download and print Hurricane Coverage at a Glance, a visual guide for what is and is not covered under ISO-2000 HO-3 and ISO-91 HO-3 forms. Ensure staff fully understands hurricane deductibles.
5. Gather your staff and go over this list of questions to ask before leaving the office. FAIA's catastrophe volunteers also developed a list of items agencies should have on hand before disaster strikes.