How do I prepare for summer storms?

Summer storms aren’t a concern only for homeowners. Auto owners also need to be ready for summer storms. Progressive proved that point by reviewing its 2013 claims data and found 30 percent of wind and flood claims for the entire year occurred in June and July.

Want to know what home and auto insurance should cost? Find out by using our car insurance estimator and home insurance calculator. Just click the buttons below.

Actions to Take to Protect Your Vehicle During Summer Storms

Actions to take are segmented into actions to take before the storm as well as during the storm.

Before the Summer Storm

Consider Comprehensive and Rental coverage – When it comes to insurance, “Comprehensive” doesn’t necessarily mean “all encompassing.” Instead, it’s the specific coverage that helps pay for damage caused when no accident occurred. For example, things like weather, fire or vandalism. In most cases, Comprehensive will cover wind and flood damage too. Also, think about Rental coverage; should your car be severely damaged or beyond repair, this coverage will help pay for a rental car in the interim.
Find out how good your insurance company is – Not all insurance is the same. Find out how good yours is by clicking the buttons below. If you’re with a great company, tell a friend. If not, find a new insurance company.

During the Summer Storm

For those that live in areas at risk of high winds and flooding, the following tips are important to avoid potential damage from summer storms:

Drive to higher ground – Park your car indoors or on high ground away from potential sources of damage (falling debris, projectiles, rising waters, etc.). Consider having a tarp and waterproof tape handy to seal your windows and doors as well.
Be ready for hail – Sometimes severe summer storms can produce hail.
If you’re driving, be cautious – Do not travel down a road submerged in water — underlying currents could carry your car away. If your vehicle stalls in water, immediately abandon it — floodwaters can rise several feet in a matter of minutes.

What to do if your insurance company rates poorly?

ValChoice helps consumers find insurance that will do a good job of protecting them. If yours did not get a good rating above, click the buttons below to find the best insurance companies in your state.

Insurance companies do not pay ValChoice to rate them. We rate insurance companies so consumers who are mandated to buy insurance can know how good the company they are buying insurance from are when it comes to protecting their customers.

About Dan Karr

Dan has been a CEO or Vice President for high-technology companies for over 20 years. While working as a Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales for a technology company, Dan was seriously injured while commuting to work. After dealing with trying to get insurance companies to pay his significant medical bills, or to settle a claim so Dan could pay the medical bills, he became intimately aware of the complexity of insurance claims. Dan founded ValChoice to pay forward his experience by bringing consumers, insurance agents and financial advisors easy-to-understand analysis needed to know which insurance companies provide the best price, protection — claims handling — and service.