Insurance Preparedness for Natural Disasters

Are you Prepared?

The Maryland Insurance Administration encourages residents to be prepared for natural disasters by reviewing and understanding their insurance coverage and by considering the purchase of flood insurance. Natural disasters happen any time and any place; Maryland is no exception. In the last few years, Marylanders have sustained a significant amount of damage to their homes and personal property as a result of tornadoes, floods and hurricanes. While natural disasters are out of our control, you can take steps to lessen the exposure to these types of losses and ensure that you have the appropriate insurance to cover potential damages.

To receive alerts, tips, and resources related to threats and hazards affecting or that may affect Maryland, state officials say to text MdReady to 211-631 or text MdListo for Spanish. You can also click here to view alert resources for your area.

General Information

Disaster Cards:

Pre-Disaster Planning Tips:

What to do to protect your home and finances from damage

Post-Disaster Planning Tips:

Claims Process

NEW Consumer Advisory: Contractors or Individuals that Offer to Help You with your Insurance Claim
NEW Aviso al consumidor: contratistas o personas que se ofrecen a ayudarlo con su reclamo de seguro
Safe and Sound
Spanish: Sano y Salvo
Reporting and Insurance Claim
Spanish: Reportar una Reclamación al Seguro
Additional Living Expenses
Spanish: Gastos de Subsistencia Adicionales
Estimating the Damage
Spanish: Estimación de Daños
Working with the Insurance Adjuster
Spanish: En Colaboración con el Liquidador de Seguros
Determining Coverage
Spanish: Determinación de la Cobertura
How are Deductibles Used to Calculate a Claim
Spanish: Cómo se utilizan los deducibles para calcular una reclamación?
Claim Log
Spanish: Registro de Reclamaciones

What To Do Before A Loss

Follow these Pre-Disaster Planning Tips: "What to do to protect your home and finances from damage"

(click here for a printer-friendly version)

Gather copies of your insurance policies and keep them in a secure, dry location.
Save your insurer’s contact information. You can print an Insurance Information Card so you can keep all your essential insurance data in your wallet.
Make a home or business inventory. You can do this by photographing or videotaping your belongings so that you have proof of ownership in case they get damaged or destroyed. You can also download the Home Inventory app or read our FAQs.
Secure or store outdoor items like grills, patio furniture and small loose items.
Prepare your home by putting up hurricane or plywood shutters on all windows, close your garage door and all interior doors, and brace or reinforce your garage door to help prevent significant structural damage.

Additional Resources:

Watch this video to learn more, click here.

What To Do After A Loss

Frequently Asked Questions:

Post-Disaster Cards

Flood Damage

Earthquake Insurance

While a homeowner’s policy typically does not cover damages from an earthquake, consumers may be able to purchase a separate earthquake insurance policy or endorsement. The terms, conditions and exclusions in an earthquake insurance policy or endorsement will vary from one insurer to the next. Read the policy or endorsement, and talk to your insurance producer when considering your purchase of earthquake insurance.
For more general information about such policies, see the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s brochure "A Consumer's Guide to Earthquake Insurance."

Preparedness Tips

Make sure you are prepared, including making sure you have adequate insurance coverage. Below are preparedness tips by category:

Extreme Weather:

Winter Preparedness:

Click here to visit our webpage

Summer Preparedness:

State and Federal Resources

 Flood Insurance (NFIP)

The National Flood Insurance Program
Determine your risk, get a quote, find an agent and more.
Flood Insurance Basics
Are You in a Flood Prone Area?
Flood Insurance for Businesses: What Business Owners Need to Know

State Resources

Other Resources

Videos

Virtual Disaster Center - January 16, 2024
View webinar HERE
View presentation HERE
Virtual Disaster Center - September 28, 2023
View webinar here
View presentation here

Virtual Disaster Center - May 25, 2023
View video HERE
View slide presentation HERE
After the storms - Assistance is Available
August 11
View video HERE.
View hard copy presentation HERE.
July 12
View video HERE.
View hard copy presentation HERE.
Disaster Preparedness Month September 2022 - Task of the Week #4: Video
Disaster Preparedness Month September 2022 - Task of the Week #3: Video
Disaster Preparedness Month September 2022 - Task of the Week #2: Video
Disaster Preparedness Month September 2022 - Task of the Week #1: Video
Filing a Weather-Related Claim: Video
Be Prepared Before Disaster Strikes: Video
Tips on creating a Home Inventory: Video
Realice un inventario de su hogar: Video
Because Your Family Matters An Insurance Disaster Preparedness Review: Webinar
Flooding in Maryland is More Common than You Think: Video
Maryland Flood Awareness Month: Video
Flood Insurance Tips: Video
Flood Insurance Preparation: Whiteboard video
What to do before a disaster: Video
Que hacer ante un desastre
What to do after a disaster: Video
que hacer despues de un desastre
If a tree falls on your property, are you covered by your homeowners policy? Video
Storm damaged vehicles and comprehensive coverage: Video
There's Been a Disaster - What Should I Do? Video
Tips to Help Prepare for a Disaster Video
Do I Need Flood Insurance? Video
Necesito un seguro contra inundaciones: Video
Tips for Purchasing Flood Insurance: Video

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Insurance Preparedness for Natural Disasters

Are you Prepared?