Homeowner's Insurance Protects You
If owning a home is the American dream, then the American nightmare might be losing your home to a disaster. While Nevada is typically immune to hurricanes and tornadoes, it does have its own threats. The biggest natural threats to homeowners in Nevada comes from fires, flooding, and earthquakes. When you review your insurance coverage or prepare for a disaster, you need to make sure that you have the coverage that you need.
Fires
Fires can happen to any homeowner. Faulty electrical equipment can lead to fires, as can carelessness. In Nevada, homeowners face an external fire threat that is beyond their control: wildfires. Every summer, the land around them heats up and dries out, and the fire danger is elevated. A lighted match or even a bolt of lightning can start a brush fire. While you can't control whether or not the countryside around you catches on fire, you can make sure that you are properly insured. You can also clear out all the brush and debris from around the vicinity of your home, making a natural firebreak.
Flooding
Believe it or not, even though Nevada is primarily desert, the biggest natural hazard in Nevada is flooding. As a homeowner, you will want to make sure that you are protected from flooding, but most insurance policies do not cover flooding. You will probably have to purchase a flood insurance policy from the National Flood Insurance Program. Flood insurance does not take effect on the day that you sign up for it, so don't wait until storm season to sign up. Get the flood insurance you need now, before it is too late.
Earthquakes
When people think of earthquakes, they usually think of California. While California does get more than its fair share of Earthquakes, Nevada is third when it comes to earthquake activity that measures 5.5 or greater on the Richter scale. You will want to check with your insurance provider to see if they provide earthquake insurance. Not all insurance companies provide it, and those that do will charge extra for it. Earthquake deductibles generally are not like other insurance deductibles. If your home suffers major damage in an earthquake, you will end up paying a large deductible. However, without earthquake insurance, you wouldn't be covered at all. Look into earthquake insurance before the next big quake.
For Any Disaster
Experts recommend that you check your homeowner's policy annually. Your home may have increased in value, and you want to make sure that you have enough insurance to protect both your dwelling and your possessions. It is also a good idea to take out a home inventory on an annual basis. If a disaster should ever occur, you won't regret the time you spent making sure that your insurance was up-to-date.