5 Key Benefits of Disaster Insurance

In 2006, I was car-jacked at gun-point in Orlando Florida. It was by far one of the scariest moments of my life. Unfortunately for me, I did not have full insurance coverage on my car. As a result, I did not have any penny in compensation. That was a nightmare!

From that incident, I learned that there is power in preparedness. Without foresight, you can suddenly find yourself sinking. That is what happens to you when you don’t have insurance on your home or your business.

Having insurance, can make or break in the aftermath of a disaster. Here are 5 reasons why you need disaster insurance in my understanding as a disaster guy. Am not selling anyone ‘s insurance here. Far from it.

Benefit # 1: Control:

When you have disaster insurance like flood insurance, you have a degree of control and hope, should things fall apart during a disaster. With such hope, your blood pressure will not burst through the sky. More importantly, you will be compensated regardless of whether there is a presidential declaration of disaster or not.

Benefit # 2: Continuos Coverage:

Another beauty of having disaster insurance is that once you have it, it can serve you multiple times. Such coverage does not have to be renewed or cancelled in case of repeat losses. That can be extremely useful if you get hit twice by in the same year or so.

Benefit # 3: Federal Money is Not Free:

Did you know that you can only get federal compensation only after there is a Presidential Disaster Declaration? In the absence of such a declaration, your hopes for recovery will depend entirely on YOU. Additionally, in some cases, federal money will be given as long term loans, thus, you are better up having your own insurance than taking a loan.

Benefit # 4: Cost of Policies is Low:

Most disaster insurance polices cost significantly low premiums compared to the value insured. On the average you can pay about $500 annually for insured value over $100K. If you look at this in terms of cost versus benefits, you will realize that this is a big bang for your buck when you need it most.

Benefit # 5: There is no Payback:

When you have disaster insurance, it is your own to keep. This means that you can have some sleep at night, without having to agonize over how your business (employability) recovers from the disaster. When your insurance steps in, you can have a new lease of life to bounce back while others are sinking. Think about it! A word to the wise is sufficient!

Gideon F. For-mukwai, CEM

Preparedness Champion

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Good Samaritan Laws in Nevada

Have you ever walked away from helping someone who was in dire need of help like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or severe bleeding? Were you more concerned about your own health or about potential liability from making a mistake in the course of helping someone?

The next time that happens, do not walk away; provide the person in need with help. You can save a life! If that ever happens, that memory will live with you for ever.

The good news is that if you are concerned about liability issues, Good Samaritan Laws will protect you. These laws have been enacted in all 50 states in the US. In general, the Good Samaritan Laws protect ordinary citizens who act in a reasonable and prudent way, in the course of giving first aid to someone in an emergency or life-threatening situation.

Someone who acts in a reasonable way, exercises care and the following-

• Moves a person in danger only if that person ‘s life was in danger, for instance when there are falling objects or rising flood waters,
• Get permission or consent from a conscious person before attempting to give care during an emergency,
• Check the person for other life-threatening conditions like bleeding before attempting to provide care,
• Call for urgent medical care from professionals like the 911 or enhanced 911
• Give care until medical professionals arrive to take over

In the State of Nevada, the Good Samaritan law (Nev. Rev. Stat. 41.506 – 2000- Gen. Stat) states, “Any person who, in good faith, renders emergency medical care or assistance to an injured person at the scene of an accident or other emergency without the expectation of receiving or intending to receive compensation from such injured person for service ‘  shall not be liable in civil damages for any act or omission; not constituting gross negligence’ in the course of such or assistance.”

In essence, a Good Samaritan Law protects rescuers or lay people who voluntarily help others in distress from being sued in tort or for wrongdoing. Given that these laws differ from state to state, I encourage you to check the provisions of the Good Samaritan Law in you state.

Armed with the knowledge from the law in your state, next time some collapses at work or in the subway, you should be able to help without being worried that you may be sued for making a mistake.

Gideon F. For-mukwai, CEM, MA

Preparedness Champion

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