Prepare Your Home for the Unexpected

By COUNTRY Financial

No matter where you live, you're likely to experience severe weather or other unexpected dangers. Whether it's thunderstorms and tornadoes or drought and wildfires, being prepared can help you respond more effectively and potentially reduce damage to your property.

Here are some steps to help you get started with home emergency preparedness.

1. Build your emergency kit and show your family where it is

An emergency kit ensures you have essential supplies immediately accessible during disasters or power outages. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)¹ recommends including the following items:

Basic supplies:

• Battery-operated flashlight and NOAA Weather Radio with extra batteries
• Emergency evacuation and shelter plan, including a map of your home with exits marked
• First-aid kit with essential medications
• Three-to-five-day supply of bottled water (one gallon per person per day)
• Non-perishable food items (canned goods, energy bars, dried fruit)
• Personal hygiene items (soap, toothbrush, toilet paper, feminine products)
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Phone chargers and backup power bank

Important documents and information:

• List of emergency contacts (neighbors, family, friends)
• Insurance and property information (accessible through the COUNTRY Financial mobile app)
• Utility company contact numbers
• Medical information and prescription lists
• Copies of important documents (IDs, insurance policies, bank account info) in waterproof container

Additional items to consider:

• Cash (ATMs may not work during power outages)
• Extra clothing and sturdy shoes
• Whistle to signal for help
• Local maps
• Pet supplies if you have animals
• A separate emergency kit for your car

Where to store it: Keep your emergency kit in an easily accessible location that all family members know about. Avoid basements if you're in a flood-prone area.

2. Review your insurance coverage annually

Your insurance agent can help you identify potential coverage gaps that could be discovered at claim time and discuss whether you have appropriate coverage amounts to repair, or if necessary, rebuild your home.

Reviewing your home insurance coverage regularly can help ensure your policy aligns with your current situation. Consider these questions:

Coverage adequacy:

• Has your home's rebuild cost changed due to construction cost inflation?
• Have you made improvements or renovations that increase your home's value
• Do your personal property limits still reflect what you own?

Coverage gaps:

• Do you need additional endorsements (sump pump backup, earthquake, valuable items)?
• Is your liability coverage sufficient given your current assets?
• Are there new risks to consider (home business, pool, trampoline)?

Check out COUNTRY Financial's Home Insurance 101 guide for detailed information on:

• What home insurance is designed to cover
• What standard policies typically don't cover
• Whether you may need additional coverage options like sump pump backup
• How to approach the home insurance claims process

Contact your COUNTRY Financial representative to schedule an annual insurance review.

3. Complete a home inventory of your belongings

Having a home inventory on file can streamline the home insurance claims process, helping you document what you owned without having to rely on memory if your belongings are damaged or destroyed.

How to create a home inventory:

Video method (fastest, 10-15 minutes): The quickest way to create a home inventory is with your smartphone camera. Walk through each room and record:

• Open closets, cabinets and drawers as you film
• Verbally note high-value items and their approximate purchase dates
• Capture serial numbers on electronics and appliances
• Show condition of items

Photo method (more detailed):

• Take photos of each room from multiple angles
• Photograph individual high-value items
• Capture receipts for expensive purchases
• Photograph serial numbers and model numbers

Spreadsheet method (most comprehensive):

• List each item with description, purchase date and estimated value
• Include receipts or purchase records where available
• Note serial numbers for electronics and appliances
• Update quarterly as you acquire new items

What to document:

• Furniture and home decor
• Electronics (TVs, computers, tablets, gaming systems)
• Appliances (washer, dryer, refrigerator, microwave)
• Clothing and shoes (general categories and quantities)
• Jewelry and watches
• Tools and equipment
• Sports and hobby equipment
• Kitchen items and cookware

Where to store your inventory: Keep a copy in multiple places, upload to cloud storage, email to yourself, save on a USB drive stored offsite, or use the COUNTRY Financial mobile app to store insurance and property information.

Update your inventory quarterly, and immediately after any major purchase.

4. Maintain your home to prevent damage

Staying current with home maintenance can help prevent many common insurance claims. Regular upkeep addresses small issues before they become major problems.

Critical maintenance tasks for damage prevention:

Roof maintenance:

• Inspect for missing, damaged or curling shingles annually
• Check for signs of wear around chimneys, vents and skylights
• Clear debris from roof surface
• Roof issues are a major contributor to wind, hail and water damage claims, two of the most common categories of homeowners insurance claims, making regular inspection particularly important

Gutter and drainage:

• Clean gutters and downspouts twice yearly (spring and fall)
• Ensure downspouts direct water at least 5-6 feet away from foundation
• Check for proper grading around your home's perimeter

Tree and landscape:

• Trim branches that overhang your roof or are within 6-10 feet of your home
• Remove dead or diseased trees that could fall on structures
• Clear vegetation away from siding and foundation

Plumbing and water:

• Inspect exposed pipes for leaks or corrosion
• Know where your main water shutoff valve is located
• Insulate pipes in unheated areas before winter
• Test sump pump if you have one (especially before rainy season)

HVAC and appliances:

• Replace furnace filters regularly (every 1-3 months)
• Have HVAC systems professionally serviced annually
• Check water heater for signs of leaks or corrosion
• Clean dryer vents to prevent fire hazards

Seasonal maintenance checklists:

• Spring home maintenance checklist - Roof inspection, gutter cleaning, AC service
• Winter home maintenance checklist - Pipe insulation, furnace check, ice dam prevention

Regular maintenance not only helps prevent damage but may also positively affect your insurance eligibility and premiums.

5. Prepare for specific disaster types in your area

Different regions face different risks. Tailor your emergency preparedness to the disasters most likely to affect your location:

Severe storms and tornadoes

• Identify your home's safe room (basement, interior room on lowest floor, away from windows)
• Secure outdoor furniture and items that could become projectiles
• Trim trees and remove dead branches
• Consider impact-resistant windows or storm shutters
• Have plywood and tools ready to board windows if needed

Hurricanes (coastal areas)

• Install hurricane shutters or have plywood cut to size for all windows
• Secure roof with hurricane straps if in high-wind zones
• Clear yard of items that could become airborne
• Know your evacuation zone and routes
• Fill bathtubs with water before storm arrival (for washing/flushing if water service is disrupted)

Wildfires (wildfire-prone regions)

• Create defensible space (30-100 feet of clearance around home)
• Remove dead vegetation and leaves from roof and gutters
• Use fire-resistant landscaping materials
• Install spark arrestors on chimneys
• Store firewood at least 30 feet from structures
• Keep garden hoses connected for quick access
• Review home insurance coverage for wildfires with your representative

Flooding

• Know if you're in a flood zone (check FEMA flood maps)
• Consider flood insurance even if not in designated flood zone
• Install sump pump with battery backup
• Seal basement walls and foundation
• Elevate utilities and appliances above potential flood levels
• Have sandbags or flood barriers available

Winter storms and ice

• Insulate pipes in unheated areas
• Keep cabinet doors open during extreme cold to let warm air reach pipes
• Maintain heating system with annual service
• Clear ice dams from roof edges and gutters
• Keep emergency heating source available (if safe, never use generators indoors)
• Stock salt or sand for ice on walkways

Earthquakes (seismic zones)

• Secure heavy furniture and water heaters to walls
• Install safety latches on cabinets
• Know how to shut off gas, water and electricity
• Store breakables on lower shelves
• Consider earthquake endorsement for home insurance

Frequently asked questions

Published 8-31-26