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F E B R U A R Y , 2 0 1 8
P
icture this: a massive windstorm rips across the tri-state
area. Trees fall, power lines are down, and homes
are damaged. A property owner suffers a serious loss
to their property and some of their most cherished belong-
ings are destroyed. As they gaze upon their devastated
property, they are thinking: “Now what?” What could
they have done to avoid this tragedy? A natural disaster
can occur anywhere at any time and affect anyone. The
truth of the matter is that severe weather today occurs more
frequently than ever. As such, it is absolutely crucial to take
precautions and set a standard of emergency prepared-
ness for one’s property. Emergency preparedness neces-
sitates taking all the possible defensive measures to help
By Michael A. Miller,
Principal, M. Miller & Son
PREPARING FOR
SEVERE
WEATHER
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keep people, property, and belongings safe following an
emergency event. This entails having a plan for potential
scenarios and knowing how to safeguard your livelihood.
First and foremost, having the right kind of property insur-
ance is essential. Insurance will help a policyholder pick up
the pieces following a severe weather emergency, whether
related to fire, hurricane, lighting, snow load, and more.
The best thing one can do is to form a relationship with a
local, independent agent. This is a real person to whom
a client can ask questions, who can give them advice,
and who can come to see their property to evaluate their
insurance needs. An independent agent represents multiple
carriers and can match clients with a carrier that supports