Residents of coastal areas can take steps now to make the insurance claims process move smoothly should their property be damaged by Tropical Storm Ernesto, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

Damage from windstorms is covered under standard homeowners/renters policies. If your home is damaged or destroyed by a tropical storm or hurricane, you will be covered for the cost of temporary repairs to prevent further damage. If your home suffers wind damage and is now uninhabitable, you will be covered for reasonable additional living expenses. Remember to keep a record of expenses including receipts.

Most policies now have a hurricane or windstorm deductible of one to five percent of a home's insured value.

Standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood losses, including flooding from storm surge generated by hurricanes. This was reaffirmed by a federal court ruling in Mississippi on August 15, 2006. Flood insurance is available from the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program and can be purchased through your insurance agent or company representative. Additional information on flood insurance can be found at http://www.floodsmart.gov .

It is also important to know what your deductible is for hurricane losses. Most policies now have a hurricane or windstorm deductible (a percentage rather than a dollar deductible) of one to five percent of a home’s insured value.

The Insurance Information Institute advises the following before disaster strikes:

• Create a home inventory of your personal possession. The I.I.I. offers free software to create a home inventory at http://www.knowyourstuff.org . This will assist the adjuster in assessing the value of the destroyed property.
  
• Write down the name, address and claims-reporting telephone number of your insurance company, which may differ from your agent's contact information.
  
• Keep this information, along with a copy of your policy, in a safe place and make sure you have access to it if you are forced to evacuate your home

The I.I.I. is a nonprofit, communications organization supported by the property/casualty insurance industry.