Spring and late fall in Mississippi are prime time for tornadoes. The state averages 43 tornadoes a year, making it one of the largest natural disaster risks for residents. As a homeowner, there are steps you can take to prepare your home and yourself for a potential tornado. 

One of those steps includes working with a Mississippi independent insurance agent to make sure you have the right insurance coverage for your home and your vehicle. Agents can also help you with protecting your home, yourself, and your loved ones before and after a tornado.

9 Proactive Steps to Help Protect Your Family from Tornadoes

During a tornado, winds can get up to 200 miles per hour. If a tornado is headed your way, safety is the most important thing for you and your family. Since Mississippi has a high potential for tornadoes, it's imperative to be prepared before disaster strikes. Work with your family and loved ones to understand the following ways to stay safe from tornadoes.

1. Eyes on the skies: The more time you have to prepare for a tornado the better. Keep an eye on local news reports, the weather, and the sky if you believe a tornado is coming. You can sign up for Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to be notified when dangerous weather is heading your way.
2. Emergency kit: You want to prepare as if you'll be displaced from your home for several days. This means packing a bag that includes everything you and your family would need for 72 hours. Don't forget about necessary medications, documents, food, and water. 
3. Prepare your ride: As soon as you're notified that a tornado is possible, keep your car with a full tank of gas and ready to go at a moment's notice.
4. Know where to go: Know where the closest safe shelter is located, as well as local churches and other potential safe buildings in nearby cities. 
5. Plan ahead: Do a "run-through" of a potential tornado with your family to practice what everyone would do in the real event. 
6. Protect important documents: If you have important documents in your home, store them somewhere safe or take them with you.
7. Consider your pets: If you have domestic or farm animals, your escape plans should include getting them to safety as well. 
8. Secure the home: You may have hours or minutes to secure your home before a tornado strikes. If there's time, make sure windows are closed, electrical outlets are unplugged, doors are locked, and the property is cleared of debris. If there is time to board up your windows, it's recommended.
9. Check your insurance coverage: The last thing you want to deal with after a tornado is whether your insurance will cover the damage. Understand the coverages you have in your home and auto insurance when it comes to tornadoes.

How Does Home Insurance Cover Tornadoes in Mississippi?

Fortunately, tornadoes are a covered peril listed in Mississippi homeowners insurance. Whether it's damage to the dwelling of your home or your personal property, home insurance will pay to repair or replace items. Home insurance can also help with living costs if you're temporarily displaced from your home. Here's how home insurance covers tornadoes. 

• Dwelling insurance: Provides structural coverage including the structure of your home, garages, detached sheds, decks and patios, built-in appliances, flooring, heating, and cooling systems, etc.
• Contents insurance: Covers your personal property located inside your home and on your property. This includes furniture, electronics, rugs, silverware, lawnmowers, and similar items. 
• Additional living expenses: If your home is badly damaged or destroyed by the tornado, this will cover living expenses like daily meals, hotel rooms, extra gas mileage, and more while you're temporarily forced to live elsewhere.

Home insurance also includes liability coverage that protects you if you're sued for third-party bodily injury or property damage. These are just the basic coverages, an agent can help you customize your home insurance to fit your needs. 

What about My Damaged Car?

Your vehicle would be covered under your Mississippi auto insurance policy, but only if you have comprehensive insurance coverage. Comprehensive insurance is an optional coverage that you must elect to add to your policy. However, it's the only policy that will pay for damage from events like tornadoes, theft, fallen objects, and anything classified as "other than a collision," so it's worth considering to avoid out-of-pocket costs.

If a tornado did strike your home and your vehicle, you would need to file separate claims for the damage. You'd file a claim with your home insurance for any damage to your home, and with your car insurance for any damage to your vehicle, even if it was parked inside the garage.

Can I Make Changes to My Insurance before a Tornado?

You can purchase home and auto insurance at any time, but you cannot purchase coverage immediately before a storm strikes. There is a 30-day waiting period after you've applied for insurance before your policy is effective. In addition, new policies do not cover a “loss in progress” and you cannot increase the amount of insurance coverage you have during a loss in progress.

Since insurance can't be purchased at the last minute, you want to make sure the coverage you have is adequate in your policies and your limits. An agent can work with you to make sure you have the most comprehensive set of coverage for your home, car, and personal property, with limits that would help you start to rebuild your life after a tornado. 

What Do I Do After a Tornado? 

Living through a tornado can shake you up, but there are specific safety steps to take immediately after a tornado to help prevent any further damage. Understanding what to do after a tornado can help you start getting back on your feet as soon as possible. If a tornado strikes your Mississippi home, take these steps.

1. Protect yourself and your loved ones from any further harm by notifying the police of any injuries or individuals who are stuck in the debris. 
2. Protect your property by turning off any gas or propane valves and the electricity. Cover any windows and the roof to protect them against rain. Only perform these safety measures if you're certain it's safe to reenter the home.
3. Document the damage using your cell phone and camera.
4. Let your friends and distant loved ones know that you are safe. 
5. Start the claims process by notifying your independent insurance agent that you need to file a claim and will need to utilize your insurance coverage. You also want to call your insurance company, but your agent can do this for you.

How Can a Mississippi Independent Insurance Agent Help?

Tornadoes can be life-threatening and catastrophic to your home. Preparing for severe weather can help protect your most valuable assets as well as keep you and your loved ones safe. A Mississippi independent insurance agent can help you with these preparations.

Agents will speak with you, free of charge, to learn about your situation and your insurance needs. They can recommend policy changes or new coverages to consider. An agent is by your side before and after a tornado. Whether you're needing to secure coverage or make a claim, they are the expert you need in your corner when disaster strikes.