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Safety for individuals (Business Tips on next page...)
- Create a family disaster plan. Plan an evacuation route in advance and determine where you would go if you were told to evacuate. (Evac in VT is unlikely - however, if Fire or Wind Damage occurs this is relevant to talk about now with Family Members)
- Prepare a survival kit. Stock up on drinking water, non-perishable goods, a first-aid kit and medicine for everyone including your pet. Include extra clothing, blankets, batteries, flashlights and a portable radio.
- Conduct a home hazard hunt and make your home as safe as possible.
- Secure all outdoor objects such as garbage cans, the grill, flags and lawn furniture.
- Close storm windows.
- Tree limbs that you know of to be weak - consider trim **Look-up 1st! Power Lines can kill.
- Park cars away from Tree's or potential objects that can fall. (Basket Ball hoops, etc..)
- Remove/Close Awnings. (Campers/RV's this is a big one)
- Cover your Pool - Protect it from Objects that could cut the liner.
- Do you live on the Lake? If your docks are of significant value, consider pulling them out of the water. Dock damage is not typically covered. Take tall canvas down on your boat and snapin your cockpit cover to keep boat dry.
- Review how to shut off utilities & water with all family members.
- Locate important papers and documents and have them ready to take with you should you need to evacuate. Protect documents in plastic storage bags if you're remaining in your home.
- Backup the Data on your Home PC or Laptop -->Flash Memory Sticks/DVD's/External USB Hard drives can be used for Quick Backup. (Copy/Paste to Flash Memory is fast)
- Make sure you have insurance policies with claim contact information, an inventory of your home's contents and cash. (Just call us - we also keep copies on your behalf)
- TIP: Smartphone user? m.insure-vt.com lists all of our office phone numbers for quick access from your mobile phone. Visit and Click "Contacts".
- Ask an out-of-state friend to be your family contact. After a disaster, it's often easier to call long-distance than to make a local call.
- Unlikely in Vermont: Yet, leave promptly if ordered to evacuate. Leaving too late or not leaving at all only endangers yourself and others.
Safety for business
In addition, if you are a business insurance customer please consider taking the following precautions to help protect people and property and guard against disruption of operations:
- Review your business continuity plan and communicate emergency evacuation and business interruption instructions to employees. If you don't have a written plan, now is the time to create one. Each business should have an emergency plan including a detailed procedure for evacuation, a checklist for shutting down processes and protecting buildings, contents, equipment, and yard storage. Procedures should include salvage instructions to follow post-event.
- Back up critical data and computer records off-site so that operations can continue after a disaster. Consider keeping a backup generator and plenty of batteries on hand so your business can continue to operate after a power loss.
- As a hurricane approaches, quick actions should to be taken to install temporary protection features including: (Since we are in VT - some are not necessary)
- Shutter or board up windows to protect them from flying debris
- Clean out floor drains and catch basins to ensure maximum drainage
- Anchor structures, trailers and yard storage so they are more likely to stay put in high winds
- Fill emergency generator and fire pump fuel tanks
- Shut down production processes safely
- Shut off all flammable and combustible liquid and gas lines at their source
- Shut off electrical power at the main building disconnect before the hurricane strikes
- Once the storm has subsided and it is safe to return, a salvage team should be assembled and repair work prioritized, assuring proper supplies are available and safety procedures followed.
If you are interested, we also have a Facebook Page where we will post information or tips of common issues that people are asking questions about. (Chances are if you have questions - someone might have already asked) www.facebook.com/HBInsuranceGroup
Hickok & Boardman / Denis, Ricker & Brown Claim Response Plans
Our 24x7 Claims Service Team is ready for you if a loss should occur. We will be monitoring all messages left on our 24x7 Claims Team Phone. (If this gets to disaster stages - we will increase staffing to ensure you hear back from us ASAP.)
Claim Reporting
Please report claims directly to us as soon as possible after the storm and conditions are safe. The sooner we learn about losses, the sooner we can help.
Business Insurance / Personal Insurance:
Call 800.900.0121 (Option #1 is always 24x7 Claims) OR
Call any of our 5 offices (Option #1 is always Claims)
Smartphone Access to our Phone Numbers/ClaimTips/Weather/News: m.insure-vt.com
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