Midwesterners describe a tornado using many adjectives: destructive, fast, unpredictable, dangerous, scary. They are programmed to tune in for tornado watches and warnings when weather conditions look ripe. They know to take cover and where. Tornados are unavoidable; preparation is essential.
A tornado is essentially wind whirling and rotating, sweeping up dirt and debris in its path. When the rotating wind hits a stationary structure such as a house or garage, damage is inevitable. Even the least destructive tornado can down trees and branches and turn debris into dangerous missiles. The most destructive tornado has wind speeds that can steamroll an entire town in minutes.
Tornado damage is typically covered by your homeowners insurance. The most common type of policy, the HO3, addresses loss of your home, other structures, and personal property, as well as additional living expenses incurred in the aftermath of a tornado. For insurance geeks, these are known as Coverage A, B, C, and D respectively.
While homeowners need not memorize the letters of various kinds of coverage, they do need to understand the importance of buying an “adequate” amount of insurance. This means enough insurance to rebuild your home—not purchase price, not fair market value, but the going cost of labor and materials.
At Homewood Insurance Agency we are well versed in estimating how much insurance you need. We are familiar with the ins and outs of coverage and the local costs of building materials. Because costs change over time, you should periodically review your coverage.
Although the risk of tornado in Wisconsin is lower than the risk in Kansas or Oklahoma, we get our share. On average, 23 tornadoes strike Wisconsin annually. Because of the threat of tornadoes, Wisconsin Emergency Management, ReadyWisconsin, the National Weather Service, and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association jointly sponsor Tornado Awareness Week and publicize important facts about tornado safety. They promote “Listen, Act and Live!” as a way to prepare.
In addition to taking the recommended steps, call or stop in to discuss your tornado coverage. The last thing you need at the time of loss is unnecessary financial stress.
We are located at 583 D’Onofrio Drive, Suite 1012 in Madison, WI 53719. Our telephone number is (608) 442-6666.
