Are You Prepared for a Power Outage? Insurance Tips for Pittsburgh-Area Homeowners

A power outage can strike without warning. Knowing what to do before the power goes out, and understanding how your homeowners insurance fits into the picture, can make a difficult situation much easier to manage.

Essential Safety and Preparation Steps

Prepare the following items before a power outage:

• A battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio to stay informed
• Flashlights and extra batteries stored in an accessible location
• A cooler with ice or a generator to protect refrigerated food and medication
• A written list of emergency contacts, including your insurance agent’s number
• Surge protectors on electronics and a whole-house surge protector, if possible

Document your home’s contents now, before any loss occurs. Photos and videos stored in a cloud account give you a reliable record if you ever need to file a claim.

How Homeowners Insurance Can Help

Standard homeowners insurance can cover sudden and accidental damage from covered perils. If a surge or downed power line damages appliances or electronics, your policy may help cover repairs or replacement, depending on the cause of the surge and subject to your deductible and policy limits.

Food spoilage coverage is sometimes included or available as an add-on and can help offset the cost of ruined groceries after an extended outage. Coverage may apply only when the outage results from a covered peril, such as a windstorm or lightning strike, and may not cover widespread grid outages.

Where to Get the Right Coverage

Contact Dunton Insurance Agency to review your homeowners coverage and request a quote before the next outage catches you off guard.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.