What is National Preparedness Month?

We are proud to step up and help educate and inform our readers about being prepared for a disaster, so we have become a National Preparedness Month 2010 Coalition Member. During the month of September we'll devote a great deal of our space on this blog for this iniative.

So, just what is National Preparedness Month (NPM)? Sponsored by the Ready Campaign, and with support from Coalition Members across the nation, NPM is held each September to increase public awareness about emergency preparedness. During the month, Americans are encouraged to participate by hosting activities and initiatives. In recent years, more than 3,000 organizations joined the Ready Campaign as Coalition Members.

This year, NPM focuses on encouraging you and other Americans to take active steps toward getting involved and becoming prepared. Preparedness is everyone’s responsibility. We have to work together, as a team, to ensure that individuals, families, neighborhoods and communities are ready. Put together an emergency supply kit. Make a family emergency plan. Be prepared to help your neighbor. Work as a team to keep everyone safe.

For more information about NPM, visit the Ready Web site.

Yawn.... Zzzzzz.....

Today begins National Preparedness Month.

Yawn..... Zzzzzzz.....

I know, it's a boring topic for most people. What isn't boring, though, are these: tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, burglaries and earthquakes. So let's all consider the message of National Preparedness Month and be ready.

Consider not being prepared for one of the disasters (which happen every day to people everywhere), and how you'll wish you had. Ask anyone who experienced one, and they'll strongly encourage you to create that personal property inventory! We just received a call yesterday from a future customer. He was speaking to a woman who recently had a fire. Four months later, she was still dealing with insurance claims.

Make this National Disaster Month a memorable one by being proactive.

What is YOUR why?

Yesterday we talked about all the reasons people need a personal property inventory of the contents of their home. As a recap, the top three that were of the greatest awareness level were disaster preparedness (95%), knowing you're properly insured (75%) and estate settlement (55%). These were based on the recent survey many of you were kind enough to complete for us.

Another survey topic was "I have an inventory of the contents of my home because ..." and the why for the most people (35%) was because they believe in being proactive/being prepared. This is great to hear (though I wish the number was higher).

The other whys are:

• I knew I would forget a lot if I had to create the list (25%)
• My insurance agents suggested I have an inventory (10%)
• I had to file a claim and learned the hard way that I needed one (5%)
• Don't want my children to have to do it when settling my estate (5%)

The final option was "I do not have an inventory." Unfortunately, 65% of respondents were in this category. Tomorrow begins Preparedness Month. You'll be hearing and reading a lot about this topic, from the President of the United States on down to local disaster preparedness and inventory companies like us. Please take this seriously and consider how much you have to lose - in time and in money.

An inventory plays a major role in the ability to recover financially from a disaster. One why we all would hate to hear is, when a disaster strikes, you wonder why you didn't bother!

Of all the reasons for an inventory, how many did you know?

Our recent survey shows that 95% of the responders knew that an inventory will help if you have a need to file an insurance claim. We were pleased to see this increase in knowedge, as well as with other instances, has increased from our survey from a few years ago. We trust that our newsletters, website, blogs and speaking opportunities have contributed to this increase in awareness! The statement in the survey was, "I am aware that I need/want a thorough personal property inventory of the contents of my home for the following reasons."  Following are the results:

95% - After fire, theft or natural disaster to be able to file a thorough insurance claim.
75% - Knowing I'm properly insured.
55% - Estate settlement so my children/executor won't have to create the inventory of my belongings.
45% - Proof of a claim for uninsured losses on my income tax return.
40% - Moving or placing items in storage.
35% - Funeral or estate planning.
35% - Financial planning.
30% - Divorce.
30% - Prenuptial agreements.

And one person wrote in, "So I won't duplicate purchases!" Of course, an inventory does help with that. Especially when you have items in a storage facility. You can check your inventory list before making the purchase. This will, indeed, prevent you from purchasing something you forgot you own.

Were you aware of all of these reasons to have an inventory of your belongings? So many times it's just the disaster preparedness/recovery reason (95%) that is known, but this information is so helpful, if not necessary, so many other times.

No matter if you have a large mansion or a small studio apartment, it's a document all should have. Do you have yours?

Are young or old; men or women, more apt to answer a survey?

Our survey results have been tabulated, and we thank everyone who took the time to complete either the personal or business questions. Before we disect the issues regarding personal property inventories, we wondered: just what does the "normal" survey responder look like? Man or woman? Young or old?

According to our surveys, when it's business-related, the most apt to respond would be a man over 50 years old. But when it's a questionnaire related to the home, by far it's a women over 50 years old. So, what does that tell us? That people over 50 like to share their opinion more than others? That they see the value in helping others? Or just that they have more time on their hands? Maybe this is a good question for our next survey!

Here's the breakdown of "who" answers surveys about personal property inventories:

BUSINESS SURVEY
Gender: Men = 53%; Women = 47%
Age: Under 30 = 7%; 30-39 = 14%; 40-49 = 31%; 50+ = 48%

RESIDENTIAL SURVEY
Gender: Men = 30%; Women = 70%
Age: Under 30 = 5%; 30-39 = 25%; 40-49 = 0%; 50+ = 70%

It was no surprise that the Under 30 category was not represented well. Most young people feel that "it" won't happen to them, so often don't prepare. According to a friend who is an insurance agent, this is the lowest age category of people who own a life insurance policy. Same type of thinking.

It was a surprise, however, to see that no one in the 40-49 age group answered the residential survey, then a huge jump once people reached 50. Hmmm.

Be up to date - ask these 3 questions

According to International Risk Management Institute, Inc. (IRMI), an insurance survey suggests that over 30 million U.S. households own insurance policies that are seriously out-of-date. Here are some questions regarding your homeowners insurance that you should consider.  

• Has your house undergone major renovations or improvements? If so, your home may be underinsured.
• Have you purchased new valuables or collectibles? If so, you may be seriously underinsured for these items. Specialty policies or endorsements can properly cover them.
• Have you added a burglar alarm with central station reporting for your home? If so, you could qualify for a homeowners premium discount.

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, contact your insurance agent so he or she can update your policy.

All businesses need insurance

Jim Metzler is owner of Metzler State Farm Agency. Well-known throughout the Indianapolis metro area due to his many years of excellent service, he can be reached at (317) 844-4402 or visit his website.


The dream of owning a business becomes a reality for thousands of people each year. For many of these would-be captains of industry, that means starting the operation on a small scale. However, your enterprise might be in jeopardy if you don't have business insurance.

You need business insurance because most beginning entrepreneurs don't have the resources to handle adversity if it should come. Adversity can happen in many ways: fire can destroy your inventory, a power outage could cause your goods to spoil or a customer could be injured accidentally while visiting your location.

Business insurance can protect you from these hazards and others by providing many or all of the coverages listed below:

• Accidental direct physical loss coverage for business personal property.
• Broader off-premises property coverage.
• Loss of income coverage.
• Extra expense coverage.

This list is just a sample of what's available. Contact your agent to see what coverages are right for your business.

Many entrepreneurs start their business on shoestring budgets and try to cut corners by keeping expenses at a minimum.  But when you consider what you get, business insurance is a tool you can't afford to work without.