Recovery From a Disaster

Violent weather can change your home’s environment from tranquil to terrifying in a moment. Hawaii State Civil Defense experts say that your preparations before a weather disaster play the most important part in determining how well you recover after disaster strikes. It’s essential to learn what hazards are likely to threaten your community, prepare a disaster emergency kit, and decide how your family will regroup if family members become separated during or after a disaster. Keeping Hawaii home insurance up to date is a preparation for the financial consequences of a weather disaster, and you should prepare a home inventory listing your possessions and store the inventory in a secure place.

One of your first tasks after the immediate threat has passed is to arrange for temporary and permanent repairs if your home has been damaged.
•    Check the extent of damage. Look for broken windows, damaged or missing roofing components and fallen trees. List the damage and take photographs if possible.
•    Contact your insurer or agent to report the damage. Your insurer may wish to assess the damage before authorizing you to start permanent repair work.  
•    Don’t attempt to do repairs yourself unless it is safe, and leave specialized work like electrical repairs to licensed professionals. Carry out temporary repairs to protect your home from further damage, vandalism or theft.
•    Find a contractor to make permanent repairs. Be sure that the contractor you choose is properly insured, appropriately licensed, and is happy to provide you with contact details of previous clients you can contact for a reference.

Keep records of everything you spend on home repairs and any additional living expenses incurred if your home is uninhabitable. You will need these records to support your claim for compensation through your Hawaii home insurance policy.
 

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