Are You Ready for El Nino?

Prepare for El Niño With peaking El Niño conditions, weather experts are predicting heavier than normal amounts of precipitation for many areas of the Southwestern U.S. Travelers is providing the information below to personal and business insurance customers in California, Arizona and the southern counties of Nevada. As a valued partner, we wanted you to be aware of this information and encourage you to share it with your customers as appropriate.

For Personal Insurance Customers:

Proper maintenance is key. This includes keeping gutters free of debris, ensuring downspouts are clear and water drains away from the foundation of your home. Also, be sure to check the soundness of flashing around chimneys and other roof protrusions, as well as caulking around windows and doors. Strong El Niño storms may be accompanied by high winds. Improperly maintained trees and items such as patio furniture, grills and lawn equipment could pose a hazard for you and your property if not secured properly. Watch a video on how to spot dangerous conditions outside your home. If you have a sump pump, make sure it is in good working order and consider installing a battery backup system in case of power outages. In El Niño conditions, flooding can occur far from rivers and streams. Learn how to prepare for floods. As a reminder, flood damage is not covered under a standard homeowner’s policy. Consider purchasing flood insurance and discussing flood coverage with your agent or insurance representative. For Business Insurance Customers:

Ensure your property is properly maintained. This includes having a roof inspection plan in place and taking a look at the condition of nearby trees, the roof, gutters, windows and overall exterior of the property. Make sure your business has a comprehensive business continuity plan that takes your supply chain into account. Flooding can occur far from rivers and streams during storm events. Learn how to help protect your property from flood damage. Also, consider purchasing flood insurance and discussing flood coverage with your agent or broker. If you find yourself driving in inclement weather, follow these tips for driving in strong wind and heavy rain.