June 2016

A publication brought to you by Ihry Insurance Agency, Inc.

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5 Things to Do to Prepare for Tornado SeasonArticle provided by Property Casualty 360.

tornado traveled 22 miles across the state, it killed 158 people and injured more than one thousand more, according to a report from U.S. Tornadoes. The series of tornadoes that impacted 20 states resulted in $7.2 billion in insured losses.

Tornadoes in Southeast Kansas and Missouri on May 2, 2013, affected residents in 18 states altogether, and created approximately $4 billion in insured losses.

The Alabama Center for Insurance Information and Research at the University of Alabama Culverthouse College of Commerce has partnered with the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, the Alabama Department of Insurance and Smart Home America to create the new “2016 Tornado Preparedness Guide & Insurance Tips,” which highlights some safety steps as well as the new technology available to provide some advance warning of these deadly weather events.

“Recent studies show that most people have short memories surrounding disasters,” said Lars Powell, director of the Alabama Center for Insurance

It’s tornado season for much of the country, with April, May and June being the most active months for tornadoes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climatic Data Center.

Tornadoes frequently occur in other countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, and across Europe and Asia, but the United States has more tornadoes for its size than any other country.

The costliest U.S. tornado outbreaks in terms of insured losses were in the billions of dollars, with the top three occurring in just the past five years. According to the Insurance Information Institute and Property Claims Services, the tornadoes that hit Tuscaloosa and Hackenberg, Ala., April 22-28, 2011, caused $7.6 billion in insured losses and affected 13 states.

On May 22, 2011, an EF-5 tornado struck Joplin, Mo., which at its peak was more than one mile wide with winds that registered at more than 200 mph. As the

(Photo: iStock)

Information and Research. “As unpleasant as it may be to remember a terrible storm, if we don’t keep the public’s attention, we will not be ready for the next event.”

Here are five things to do to prepare for tornado season:

1. Warning: Tornado aheadResidents in tornado-prone areas should be familiar with the terminology that indicates how imminent a tornado may be:

• Tornado Watch - conditions are favorable for tornadoes in the area.

• Tornado Warning - issued from NOAA, thunderstorms with tornadoes are imminent or occurring.

Provided it is safe to do so, residents should secure any items that could become projectiles such as umbrellas, outdoor furniture or trash cans; move vehicles inside a garage or carport; and check tie-downs for mobile homes before moving to a safe location.

If a warning siren sounds, immediately take shelter inside and stay away from windows.ssess Your Crop Insurance Needs2. Staying safeWhen it comes to tornado readiness, the new tornado guide offers several recommendations to keep residents safe when a tornado hits. People who get caught outside or in a mobile home should immediately seek shelter inside a solidly constructed structure or in the basement of a nearby building.

If you can’t get to a building in time, lie down in a ditch or other low-lying area and cover your head with your arms.

Unlike the movie “Twister,” drivers should not follow or try to outrun a tornado. If possible, drivers should seek shelter in a sturdy structure, but should not park under a highway overpass since it could collapse in the high winds.

Residents inside a home or other building should go to an interior room in the basement. If there is no basement, go to an inside room, preferably one without windows such as an interior hallway, a closet or a bathroom on the lowest level possible.

To protect against flying debris, use cushions, blankets, a mattress or other impermeable items as a cover.

3. Am I covered?Usually, severe weather-related events would be covered under a Homeowners’, Renters’ or Commercial insurance policy, but policyholders should understand what their coverage provides and what it does not.

Creating a home inventory with photographs can be most valuable when it comes to reporting items lost in a tornado or other weather event. Many insurers have tools that can

help capture a home’s contents before a loss occurs. At the very least, take photos of each room in the home, paying particular attention to antiques, works of art, collections of any sort, firearms, rare books, jewelry, furs and other items that would be difficult to replace in the event of a loss. Make sure to check with an insurance agent to ensure the items have the proper coverage and limits.

Save the photos to the cloud or store them someplace where they can be easily accessed in the event the home is damaged or destroyed.

4. Tornado warningsEach year the National Weather Service issues more than 1,000 watches and almost 30,000 severe storm warnings.

NOAA has an early warning system that can predict whether or not there is a potential for tornadoes as far as eight days ahead of a weather event. In addition, municipalities can now provide residents with a weather warning about 14 minutes before a tornado occurs. There are also a number of vendors that provide services which allow insurers to warn policyholders when a severe weather event is imminent in their area.

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5. Road to recoveryTornadoes cause widespread devastation over a large area as the infrastructure and other resources are destroyed and place burdens on first responders, residents, insurers, suppliers and others.

Here are some tips to begin the recovery process after a tornado event:

• Policyholders should contact their insurance agents or other company representatives to report any damage. An agent should be able to provide information on additional living expenses that will be reimbursed and other payment information.

• Take photos of the damage and begin creating an inventory of what was lost or damaged. (This is where a home inventory can be particularly helpful.)

• Secure the property against further damage and theft, as best as possible.

• Keep a log of conversations with individuals involved with the claim. Save receipts for all expenses, such as food, clothing, lodging, medication, repairs.

• Business owners should keep records of any activities that have been affected by the tornado and extra expenses incurred. An agent can

provide information on what is covered under business interruption coverage.

• Beware of fraudsters. Unfortunately, some individuals see disasters as an opportunity to take advantage of people who have already suffered tragic losses. Check out companies who solicit your business with the Better Business Bureau and other online rating services. Call previous customers to see if they were satisfied with the work performed. Don’t pay for everything up front and remember that if what the company promises sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

So far this year, U.S. Tornadoes says the United States has had the most active February since 1950, with multiple tornado events - 36 reports from Feb. 15-16 and 79 from Feb. 23-24. Another 32 tornadoes were reported on March 30-April 1, and 41 were reported from April 26-27.

“Tornado preparedness saves lives,” said Jim Ridling, commissioner of insurance for the state of Alabama.

“The time between detection and devastation can be very short, and public education is the best strategy to keep people safe during tornadoes.”

Social media can also be used effectively to educate and warn policyholders when storms, tornadoes and other events pose a risk.

Hail Season is Here!Ihry Insurance & Diversified Crop Insurance offer more than 20 different options for hail

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Protect your Bottom Line!• Average net farm income declined for the third consecutive year in North Dakota to the lowest level since

1998.• This occurred despite generally strong yields, with spring wheat reaching an all-time high, the second highest

annual profit for the beef cow-calf enterprise, an increase in government payments and slightly lower crop production costs. Lower crop prices overwhelmed the positives and pushed profit down to the lowest level in nearly two decades.

• The average farm profit for 525 farms that were in the 2015 North Dakota Farm Business Management education program state report was $28,600, compared with $76,404 in 2014 and $133,466 in 2013.

• Your MPCI Revenue Policy combined with Hail coverage matched to your farm operation can help you manage & protect your bottom line!

Visit with your Ihry agent today!

Article provided by Curtis Kaufman, Agency ManagerIhry Insurance

Ihry Insights

Boating Safety TipsArticle provided by Travelers.

Every time you take your boat out on the water is a new experience. No matter how many trips you have under your belt, it is best to freshen up on boat safety before each voyage. Be sure you and your passengers follow these safe boating tips and practices to help promote an incident-free return from each outing.

Before Setting Out on Your BoatEnsure that your boat is operating properly before heading out onto the water. Follow this pre-departure checklist to help you avoid any potential problems.

• Share your float plan with a friend or relative. Be sure to include your destination and expected time of return.

• Check fuel levels and add as necessary.• Check your engine. For in-board engines, open

the hatch to look for fuel or fluid (oil, coolant, etc.) leakage or excess water in the bilge, or the lowest section inside of a boat. For outboard engines, check the fuel system for leaks or heavy gas odor. Excessive fuel vapors from either engine type can be a sign of a serious problem.

• Ensure all lights are functioning and in place.• Check for any electrical issues such as loose,

disconnected or corroded conductors.• Test radio/communications devices.• Run blowers to evacuate fumes and vapors from

the bilge prior to starting your engine.• Attach your boat and vehicle keys to a floating

bobber.• Check the local weather, sea reports and boating

forecasts. As the operator of the boat, you have a responsibility to pay attention to the weather and should not head out if adverse conditions are expected.

• Have an emergency/evacuation plan in place, and go over it with your passengers.

• Review the vessel’s controls, location of personal flotation devices and location of fire extinguishers with your passengers.

What to Take AboardNo matter how careful you, your passengers and fellow boaters may be, accidents can still happen. In the event of an incident, you should always have these items with you while you are out on your boat:

• Boat certificate and registration.• Towing policy paperwork (if you have one).• Personal flotation device (PFD) —with

protective packaging removed—for each passenger.

• Charged and functioning fire extinguisher.• Fully-stocked boating emergency/survival kit.

Staying Safe on the WaterHaving a good time while out on the water includes getting everyone back to shore safely. Whether you are navigating or just along for the ride, everyone plays a critical role in boating safety. Be sure you and your passengers practice these safe boating behaviors on every outing:

• Do not exceed the number of passengers safely allowed on your vessel.

• Make sure all passengers remain in their proper, seated positions on the boat while it is in motion.

• Children should wear a PFD at all times – this is required by law in some states, so be sure to check local laws, rules and regulations. Adults should consider wearing them as well, and at a minimum, they should be readily available.

• Shut off the engine while passengers are loading and unloading for recreational activities such as tubing, waterskiing, wakeboarding and swimming.

• Monitor gauges at the helm (voltage, temperature, fuel) to help promote safe operation and identify any issues as soon as possible.

• Be aware of your surroundings, like water conditions and other vessels, to help you react to any potential dangers in a timely manner.

• The primary and backup operator should abstain from consuming any alcoholic beverages prior to or during the outing.

Have a fun and safe summer season!From your friends at Ihry Insurance-

Your local insurance agency!