The devastation of September’s flooding throughout the Southern states can’t be overstated. As we connect with insurance colleagues in the region, we learn more and more about how much was really lost. Recovery will take years in some areas, and our thoughts go out to everyone affected.
One particular group who came to mind during the first days of flooding was individuals away from their homes while on active military duty. The Smyrls are a military family, and we know what it’s like to worry about home from thousands of miles away. Members of our armed forces have to rely on trusted contacts back home to check on their property, and it is important to make sure that contact is current.
Being in the military isn’t the only reason people should have trusted contacts on file with their service providers. There are many scenarios that could prevent you from being able to manage your own affairs. At Smyrl Insurance, we have started obtaining emergency contacts for all of our clients to ensure continuation of service when they can’t speak for themselves.
Trusted Contacts Provide Protection and Communication
We recently covered the ways that your homeowners insurance protects you and your property when you aren’t at home with off-premises coverage. But when you are away, who is watching your home?
We use trusted contacts for military personnel as an example because they tend to be away for extended periods of time. But they aren’t the only people who need someone on file with their insurance agent, bank, credit card companies, and utility providers. Some people travel extensively for work and others take long vacations or split their time between two homes. But really, anyone can be pulled away from home due to illness or injury.
When you keep a trusted contact on file with your providers, that person can provide added protection to your property. A good contact will quite literally keep an eye on your property by physically going over to check on things. This person should have access to your wired doorbell camera, or other security systems.
If you are away from home when a disaster strikes, your trusted contact can keep you updated as to how your property held up during the event. They can also be in touch with your providers to get claims and other communications started. Here in Montgomery County, blown over trees and fallen branches are a problem during these colder months. If you have a family member deployed with the military, or enjoying sunny Florida this time of year, you probably take the time to visit their PA house anytime there’s a big storm with damaging winds. You know that if a tree falls on their house or car, they won’t find out unless someone calls.
For homeowners and auto insurance, trusted contacts should be local to your property. They should be someone you really do trust to watch out for your house or car, and someone who is responsible enough to take the right steps.
Don’t Lose Insurance When You Need it Most
Trusted contacts are also necessary when you are unable to advocate for yourself. In legal and medical terms, you would call this a power of attorney. But you can also use less formal options to name emergency contacts on many of your accounts.
If you get into an accident and are in the hospital, do you have someone who can communicate with your insurance agent, mortgage company, utilities, and other important accounts? There have been situations where someone is incapacitated and can’t pay their bills. If your insurance agent doesn’t know why you are unable to pay your premium, you could be at risk of losing insurance protection right when you really need it.
Whether you anticipate being away from home in the coming months or not, please review all of your accounts to add a trusted contact. If you are one of our existing clients, please contact us to update your emergency contact on file. We would also like to do an annual review to make sure all of your policies are still working well for your needs. At Smyrl Insurance, we educate, nurture, and empower people through insurance so that you can think through all the different scenarios for which you need protection.
And to all of our veterans, thank you for your service. We are incredibly grateful for your dedication and sacrifice to our nation. We honor you this Veterans Day, and every day of the year.
