What Every Oklahoman Needs To Do Before Severe Weather Season

News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY – Severe weather can roll in anytime in Oklahoma and there's a checklist everyone needs to go over before damaging weather strikes.

Oklahoma weather has always been extreme. In a split second, homes are destroyed and more often are left still standing, but incredibly damaged.

Insurance agents who have seen it all say now is the time to take action. Here are thing you need to ask your insurance agent:

• What is the deductible? Many policies are now a percentage of what is insured instead of a flat deductible.
• Is the roof damage listed as "replacement cost" or "actual cash value" which takes into consideration the depreciation of the roof?

Also, if the state does have tornadoes this season that cause major damage, you don't want to have to start from ground zero. There are a few things simple things you can do now to avoid the headache later.

• Get all of your important documents like your mortgage, car and home insurance, drivers license, birth certificate, social security card and make a good quality copy of them. These are the things you'll need to identify yourself if your home is hit and destroyed.
• Take an inventory of what is in your house right now and document that with pictures or just a list. This helps with insurance after the fact.
• Scan old pictures and put them on an external hard drive or burn to a DVD. Do the same to the pictures you already have on your computer.

Another good investment is a suitcase size safe that's water and fire proof. They cost about $100 and are easy to grab in the heat of the moment once you hear sirens go off. Keep your DVD's and copies of your documents in it.

Experts recommend building your kit as soon as possible.