Madison Mutual Insurance Company

Avoid Flood Damage:

Get flood insurance coverage. You can obtain flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. It takes thirty (30) days for a policy to go into effect. Call your insurance agent, or find an agent near you by calling (800) 427-2419.
Move important objects and papers to a safe place. Store your valuables where they can’t get damaged.
Plan for evacuation. Plan and practice a flood evacuation route, ask someone out of state to be your “family contact” in case people are separated, and be sure everyone knows the contract’s address and phone number.
Have emergency supplies on hand. Food, bottled water, first aid supplies, medicines, and a battery-operated radio should be ready to go when you are. Visit www.ready.gov for a complete disaster supply checklist.
Have a working sump pump. Buy and install a sump pump with back-up power.
Anchor fuel tanks. An unanchored tank can be torn free by flood waters.
Elevate your furnace, water heater, washer, and dryer. They should be at least 12” above the projected flood elevation.
Take pictures or video of important possessions. If your home is damaged due to flooding, documentation will help you in filing a flood insurance claim.

Avoid Wind Damage:

Install shutters or plywood window covers to protect windows from breaking and debris from entering.
Consider using permanent storm shutters if you live in an area where you know you will need to act quickly to protect your windows.
If you decide to use temporary plywood covers, you may want to hire a contractor to make them for you. Don’t wait until a hurricane warning is issued to make the covers.
Remove large trees near your house and make sure that any shrubs, bushes, or trees are as far away as they are in height.
Secure all outdoor furniture and grills by cables or bolting them to the patio.
Brace gable end roof framing. Bracing can be added fairly easily, but you should have a contractor perform the work to make that the bracing is properly designed and attached.
Reinforce garage doors with metal brackets and wood boards for girts. If buying a new garage door, purchase one without windows.
Reinforce double entry doors with slide bolts and heavy duty deadbolt locks. You can cover the door opening with temporary covers bolted to the door frame.

Upon Returning Home:

Beware of downed power lines, leaking gas lines, tainted water, broken glass, nails, and sharp debris.
Do not inspect your home at night. Wait until daylight.
Enter your home carefully. Open windows and doors to allow dangerous gas to escape and help air circulate.
If your home looks unsafe, it probably is. Emergency management officials have programs to certify structures for safety after a disaster; it’s wise to wait for this inspection.
Take photographs of any damage to help with insurance claims.
Make temporary repairs to stop further loss from the elements and to secure the property. Keep your receipts. Don’t make permanent repairs until your insurance adjuster inspects the property.

Steps to Take After the Disaster:

If you need food, water, clothing, cleaning supplies, and/or minor medical care, contact the American Red Cross or other volunteer organizations in your area. Check your newspaper, radio, and television news for numbers and locations of relief agencies.

American Red Cross, Washington, DC: (202) 303-4498 or www.redcross.org

Local Madison Oneida Chapter, Oneida, NY: (315) 363-2900

If you have insurance, contact your insurance company and file a claim. Make sure to talk to your agent about your coverage. If your insurance does not cover all your needs, you may be eligible for money from the federal government.
If you do not have insurance or have emergency needs that insurance does not cover, you can apply for federal disaster assistance. Federal disaster assistance is for disaster damage to your primary home and includes FEMA’s Individual and Households Program grants and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans to help you repair or rebuild your home, replace essential personal property and provide temporary housing until you can return to your home.

FEMA: (800) 621-FEMA or www.fema.gov

Guidelines for Hiring a Contractor:

Get estimates from at least three (3) reputable, insured contractors. Beware of contractors soliciting work door-to-door.
Ask for and check references of other work the contractor has done.
Ask for proof of insurance. If the contractor does not have disability, liability, and workers’ compensation insurance, you may be liable for accidents on your property.
Ask for a written estimate. Read the fine print. Make sure it includes everything you expect the contractor to do.
Get a contract in writing. It should cover what is to be done, when the work will start, cost and payment schedules, and the quality of materials to be used. Once signed, the contract is legally binding on both you and the contractor.
Never make full payment up front. Don’t sign over an insurance settlement check to the contractor. Most reputable contractors accept payment based upon the percentage of work completed.
Don’t make final payment until the job is finished. Obtain lien waivers to ensure that no one who supplied materials can put a lien on your home because the contractor did not pay them.
Make sure all work that requires a code enforcement officer’s inspection is officially approved in writing before final payment is made.
To report any complaints, contact the New York State Attorney General.

Attorney General’s Hotline: (800) 771-7755

Syracuse Regional Office: (315) 448-4800