Prepare an inventory of your possessions. This can be written, video tapes or photographed. Store these documents away from your home so they will not become damages in the event of a catastrophic situation. Review your homeowners insurance policy to ensure that your limit is adequate to rebuild your entire home.

Stockpile emergency supplies. This should minimally include: one gallon of water per person per day, canned goods, non-perishable foods, manual can opener, candles, batteries, flashlights, portable radio, prescription medicines, matches in a waterproof container, first aid kit, sanitation items (moist towelettes, toilet paper, paper towels). Don't forget formula, diapers, etc. for small children and food and water for pets. Have enough supplies to last your family a minimum of three days; preferably five.

Have your dead tree branches trimmed, particularly if they extend over your house.

Continually monitor progress reports from the National Weather Bureau and local officials. If you have hurricane shutters, put them in place, or board up with plywood. Place all outdoor furniture inside or submerge in the swimming pool. Items that cannot be brought inside need to be anchored. Gather all important documents; i.e., birth certificates, insurance policies, etc. Make sure you have cash on hand, remember during a power outage ATM's will not operate. Make sure you have full tanks of gas in your vehicles.

Determine whether you will: Go to a designated shelter; go to a safer place inland; or ride out the storm (only if your local authorities permit you to do so).

If you leave your home:

Make sure your relatives know where you will be. Plan an escape route. Establish an emergency meeting place in the event your family becomes separated.

Shut off utilities

If you stay home, stay indoors and away from windows and glass doors.

Prepare an inventory of your possessions. This can be written, video tapes or photographed. Store these documents away from your home so they will not become damages in the event of a catastrophic situation. Review your homeowners insurance policy to ensure that your limit is adequate to rebuild your entire home.

Stockpile emergency supplies. This should minimally include: one gallon of water per person per day, canned goods, non-perishable foods, manual can opener, candles, batteries, flashlights, portable radio, prescription medicines, matches in a waterproof container, first aid kit, sanitation items (moist towelettes, toilet paper, paper towels). Don't forget formula, diapers, etc. for small children and food and water for pets. Have enough supplies to last your family a minimum of three days; preferably five.

Have your dead tree branches trimmed, particularly if they extend over your house.

Continually monitor progress reports from the National Weather Bureau and local officials. If you have hurricane shutters, put them in place, or board up with plywood. Place all outdoor furniture inside or submerge in the swimming pool. Items that cannot be brought inside need to be anchored. Gather all important documents; i.e., birth certificates, insurance policies, etc. Make sure you have cash on hand, remember during a power outage ATM's will not operate. Make sure you have full tanks of gas in your vehicles.

Determine whether you will: Go to a designated shelter; go to a safer place inland; or ride out the storm (only if your local authorities permit you to do so).

If you leave your home:

Make sure your relatives know where you will be. Plan an escape route. Establish an emergency meeting place in the event your family becomes separated.

Shut off utilities

If you stay home, stay indoors and away from windows and glass doors.

• Protect yourself and your family.                                               
• Report your loss in one of the following ways: contact your Avatar agent directly, report your claim online or call (877) 233-3237 or (813) 514-0333.                     
• Protect your property from additional damages. Most Avatar homeowners’ policies have a reimbursement provision for reasonable and necessary temporary repair costs (up to a specified limit) that you incur while trying to protect your covered property from additional damage resulting from a covered loss. So please be sure to save these receipts for consideration of reimbursement.                    
• Begin a room-by-room written inventory of the damages, including a detailed description of personal items that includes the manufacturers’ names, model numbers, purchase dates and purchase prices. 

• Secure the safety of your family.                         
• Do not enter your home unless you’re sure it’s safe. Depending on the type of disaster, there may be exposed electrical wires, standing water or a natural gas leak. If you have any concerns about the structural or environmental safety of your home, do not enter.
• Contact your Avatar agent directly, report your claim online.              
• Have your policy number handy and be prepared to provide contact information so your adjuster can reach you throughout the claim process. It’s important that you provide all your phone numbers, even if they are temporary.              
• Review your emergency plan and evaluate if improvements are needed for future emergencies.

• Take account of your loss and separate the damaged from the undamaged personal property.              
• If available, provide your adjuster with photos or videotape of the loss site prior to the event. This will assist your adjuster with the damage evaluation process.                  
• If necessary, have a qualified contractor make temporary repairs to prevent additional loss. Be sure to obtain a bill or invoice for this service.              
• If bills were lost or destroyed due to a catastrophic event contact your creditors to establish a workable solution. Discuss payment issues with them directly; creditors usually appreciate forthrightness.              
• If your home is uninhabital, check with your agent or your policy to determine if you have Additional Living Expenses coverage.                
• Save all receipts to document your living expenses while your home was uninhabital.                
• Contact the utility companies to discontinue service if your home is not habital or destroyed.

• Investigate the availability of special loans and/or grants via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration, the American Red Cross, local government agencies, private lenders and philanthropic organizations.              
• Call to apply for federal disaster aid at 1-800-462-9029 (or 1-800-462-7585 for TDD Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). You’ll be required to provide your social security number, insurance information and the extent of the damage to your property. Be sure to obtain a control number that is assigned to your application.

Prepare an inventory of your possessions. This can be written, video tapes or photographed. Store these documents away from your home so they will not become damages in the event of a catastrophic situation. Review your homeowners insurance policy to ensure that your limit is adequate to rebuild your entire home.

Stockpile emergency supplies. This should minimally include: one gallon of water per person per day, canned goods, non-perishable foods, manual can opener, candles, batteries, flashlights, portable radio, prescription medicines, matches in a waterproof container, first aid kit, sanitation items (moist towelettes, toilet paper, paper towels). Don't forget formula, diapers, etc. for small children and food and water for pets. Have enough supplies to last your family a minimum of three days; preferably five.

Have your dead tree branches trimmed, particularly if they extend over your house.

Continually monitor progress reports from the National Weather Bureau and local officials. If you have hurricane shutters, put them in place, or board up with plywood. Place all outdoor furniture inside or submerge in the swimming pool. Items that cannot be brought inside need to be anchored. Gather all important documents; i.e., birth certificates, insurance policies, etc. Make sure you have cash on hand, remember during a power outage ATM's will not operate. Make sure you have full tanks of gas in your vehicles.

Determine whether you will: Go to a designated shelter; go to a safer place inland; or ride out the storm (only if your local authorities permit you to do so).

If you leave your home:

Make sure your relatives know where you will be. Plan an escape route. Establish an emergency meeting place in the event your family becomes separated.

Shut off utilities

If you stay home, stay indoors and away from windows and glass doors.