HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – With severe weather looming, it’s also a good time for Hawaii residents to update their insurance policies.
If you wait until the last minute when a storm is approaching, it may already be too late.
Homeowners should first review their standard home insurance and consider purchasing additional flood insurance.
According to Mike Mishima, vice president of DTRIC Insurance, policyholders should also take an inventory of their belongings and note what is insured.
Mishima recommends going from room to room and taking photos and videos of the items. It’s best to be specific when doing so. For appliances, include the make and model.
If damage occurs, take photos and videos before cleaning up. This documentation is crucial for insurance companies when processing claims.
“Insurance companies will always ask for documentation, so photos are one of the best ways to document your claim,” Mishima said.
If your area is already being hit by storms, your policy may not be amendable for the time being.
“Some insurance companies may impose a moratorium after the warning is announced. This means that you cannot make any changes to your existing policy or even attempt to purchase a policy during the duration of the moratorium. So it’s important to know this in advance – prepare for hurricane season by taking a look at your policy and making sure your property and personal belongings are adequately insured,” Mishima said.
He also recommended protecting important documents by storing them in a safe and waterproof manner.
These documents include birth certificates, social security cards, trust documents, and anything that might be difficult to replace. Scanning and storing these documents digitally is another alternative.
If you suffer storm damage, it is always best to contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
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