Natural disasters don’t wait for convenient timing. Whether you’re facing hurricane season, winter storms, or unexpected emergencies, having a solid preparedness plan can make all the difference in protecting your family and property. At Benton White Insurance, we believe that preparation is your best defense against the unexpected.

Why Emergency Preparedness Matters

Every year, thousands of families face the devastating effects of natural disasters. While we can’t control when or where disasters strike, we can control how well we’re prepared to face them. A comprehensive emergency plan not only keeps your loved ones safe but also helps minimize property damage and speeds up recovery time.

Your 3-Step Disaster Preparedness Plan

Step 1: Build Your Emergency Survival Kit

Think of your emergency kit as your lifeline during a crisis. Your survival supplies should sustain your family for at least 72 hours without outside assistance. Here’s what every household needs:

Essential Supplies:

• Battery-powered, solar-powered, or hand-cranked radio (NOAA weather radio preferred)
• Multiple flashlights with extra batteries or fully charged battery packs
• First aid kit with essential medical supplies
• Multipurpose tool, duct tape, and emergency whistle
• Personal hygiene items including toilet paper, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer
• Extra clothing, blankets, and sleeping bags

Food and Water:

• Non-perishable food items: canned goods, protein bars, dry snacks (minimum 3-day supply)
• One gallon of water per person per day (minimum 3-day supply) stored in sealed containers
• Manual can opener and disposable plates/utensils
• Fill coolers with ice to preserve perishable food if power is lost

Important Items:

• Waterproof container with cash, important documents, and spare keys
• Essential documents: ID, insurance papers, evacuation plans, wills, vehicle registrations
• Necessary medications and prescriptions
• Fully charged cellphone with solar charger and/or power bank
• Full propane tanks for outdoor grills and generators
• Full gas tanks in all vehicles

Don’t Forget Your Pets:

• Minimum 3-day supply of pet food and medications
• Pet carriers, leashes, and comfort items

Step 2: Document Your Possessions

Creating a detailed inventory of your belongings is crucial for insurance claims and recovery. This step can save you thousands of dollars and weeks of hassle after a disaster.

How to Create Your Inventory:

• Take photos or videos of each room and valuable items
• Focus on high-value electronics, appliances, furniture, and collectibles
• Record make, model, and serial numbers for all major items
• Keep receipts and purchase invoices for significant purchases
• Store everything securely in cloud storage or a fireproof safe

Pro Tip: Update your inventory annually and after any major purchases. This small investment of time can pay huge dividends when you need to file an insurance claim.

Step 3: Develop Your Emergency Evacuation Plan

A well-designed evacuation plan can save lives. Every family member should know their role and understand the plan before an emergency strikes.

Creating Your Plan:

• Research and map out multiple evacuation routes from your area
• Establish a meeting point outside the potential impact zone
• Assign specific responsibilities to each family member
• Create a communication strategy to stay connected during separation
• Consider special needs of elderly family members, children, individuals with disabilities, and pets
• Distribute contact information and meeting locations to all family members

Practice Makes Perfect: Regular evacuation drills ensure everyone knows their role and can act quickly when every second counts.

When Disaster Strikes: Filing Your Insurance Claim

Despite your best preparation efforts, disasters can still cause significant damage. Here’s how to handle the insurance claim process effectively:

Immediate Steps:

• Contact your insurance agent or company immediately to report damages
• Document all damage with photos and videos
• Create a detailed list of affected items
• Keep all receipts for repairs, replacements, and temporary living expenses
• Maintain open communication with your insurance representative

Remember: Your insurance policy is only as good as your understanding of it. Review your coverage regularly with your Benton White Insurance agent to ensure you have adequate protection.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Emergency preparedness isn’t something you can put off until “later.” Natural disasters strike without warning, and the time to prepare is now. Start with one step today – whether it’s building your emergency kit, documenting your possessions, or discussing evacuation plans with your family.

Don’t wait until disaster strikes. Contact Benton White Insurance today to discuss your homeowners policy and ensure you have the protection you need. Our team is ready to explain your current coverage, identify any gaps, and recommend improvements that provide greater peace of mind.

Remember, the best time to understand your insurance coverage is before you need to use it. Let us help you prepare for whatever Middle Tennessee weather brings your way.

If you have any questions about the insurance on your home and want to make sure you understand your coverage, you can call us at any time. At Benton White Insurance, we ask that you call us BEFORE you file a claim.  We can save you money and time.  – almost every time.  We can help you cut through all of that.

THANK YOU for your trust in what we do.  We’re here to help.  Let us help you if you have a claim. We will make it much easier on you for sure.

TEXT or CALL us at 615.377.1212 or EMAIL us at info@BentonWhite.com.  Also, on our website – BentonWhite.com, you can get more claim information and file a claim from the site.  Let us know how we can help you as we ‘earn’ your business!

Take the first step today. Your future self—and your peace of mind—will thank you.

---

Ready to review your insurance coverage? Contact Benton White Insurance today for a comprehensive policy review and personalized emergency preparedness consultation. Your family’s safety and security are our top priorities.