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disb

Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking

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Take Steps to Prepare Before a Storm

DISB Storm Recovery Center: Take Steps to Prepare

Take Steps to Prepare for a Storm

DISB encourages District residents to prepare for severe weather by knowing your risks, protecting your home or business and ensuring you have sufficient insurance coverage.

Winter Weather Preparation

Here are a few tips to safeguard against frozen pipes:

  • Insulate your pipes and meters with foam sleeves, pipe tape, batt insulation or expanding foam.

  • Fix all leaks. You may need to install new washers, change piping, and/or use caulking.

  • Store drinking water in case pipes freeze (1 gallon per person per day for 3 days).

  • In unheated and uninsulated areas, allow a faucet to drip during extreme cold weather.

  • Keep room temperature around 69°F or no lower than 55°F in all areas of the property (use extreme caution when warming an area with space, kerosene or other types of heaters to avoid risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning).

  • Remove garden hoses from outdoor water faucets. Cover all exterior faucets.

  • Inquire about insulation from your hardware store.

  • If your home has a shut-off valve that allows you to cut off water to outside faucets, you may want to use it as an added precaution.

  • If the pipes freeze, completely open the cold-water faucet closest to the freezing pipe. If you decide to thaw the pipe, use a hair dryer. NEVER use a blow torch or direct fire.

  • If your vacant or unoccupied property has no heat, shut off the water supply and drain the system(s) and appliance(s) of water to avoid freezing pipes. If possible, have a neighbor check on the property.

Severe Weather Preparation

There are steps you can take to help mitigate some of the damage caused by severe weather or storms:

  • If your home is equipped with storm shutters, make sure you can quickly put them in place.

  • Clear your yard of debris that could become projectiles in high winds and trim dead or overhanging branches from trees surrounding your home.

  • Review your home to ensure the boards under your roof shingles are secure, the triangular wall sections at the ends of your roof are firmly attached and doors and garage doors are latched properly.

  • For personal safety, identify the nearest storm shelter and have an evacuation plan for your family.

  • Make sure you have survival supplies including bottled water, a first aid kit, flashlights, a battery-operated radio, at least three days of non-perishable food items, blankets, clothing, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, personal hygiene supplies, and enough cash for at least three days.

  • If you are forced to evacuate your home, turn off all utilities and disconnect appliances to reduce the chance of additional damage and electrical shock when utilities are restored.

For more information about how to prepare your family and home for the threat of severe weather or storms, visit ready.dc.gov.

Flood Preparation

Who Is At Higher Risk?

Flood and water damage can happen to any property, but you are at higher risk if you live in a flood plain. Find out if you live in a flood plain by visiting FEMA at msc.fema.gov/portal.

You May Need More Protection

Typically, a standard homeowner’s, renter’s, or business owner’s insurance policy does not protect against most types of water damage. You can purchase policy endorsements that offer additional coverage for water damage such as:

  1. Sewer line backup coverage

  2. Water backup and sump pump overflow

  3. Service line coverage

A utility line service contract may also provide for certain repairs when a property sustains water damage.

How To Get More Protection

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides flood insurance to property owners, renters and businesses. However, it is not intended to cover all losses or completely rebuild a property.

Private flood insurers may provide more substantial coverage. To purchase flood insurance, call your insurance company or home or auto insurance agent. All coverages or agreements should be purchased from a company authorized to conduct business in the District of Columbia.

Insurance & Documentation

Create a Home Inventory

Now is the time to make a home inventory for insurance purposes if you haven't already. You can download the free NAIC myHOME Scr.APP.book app for iPhone® or Android smartphones to get started. The app guides you through capturing images, descriptions, bar codes, and serial numbers, and storing them electronically for safekeeping. The app even creates a back-up file for e-mail sharing.

If you prefer to do it by hand, you can download a home inventory spreadsheet here.

Once you have made your inventory or taken photographs of your home, e-mail the information to family or friends living out of the hurricane threat or your insurance agent.

Collect Your Insurance Information

Store copies of your insurance policies with your home inventory. Make sure to have a copy of your policy declarations page listing all of your coverages, as well as your insurance cards. It is a good idea to store this information, and your home inventory, in a waterproof, fireproof box or safe. If you evacuate your home, don't forget to take this information with you.

Additional Resources