How to Protect Your Assets

Take photos or a video recording of your home or business. Document both the condition of the property and the contents. This will ease the process of insurance reimbursement.

Back up computer files onto discs or an online backup service. Online backup systems provide redundant secure servers for disaster recovery and can be a very affordable way to secure your important data. For example, MozyPro and MozyHome can be purchased for $4, plus 50 cents per GB per month. IBackup also provides data backup, but also allows you to share your files with others.

Store copies of physical files and important documents offsite at a location beyond a one mile radius. Storing your copies even farther away reduces the likelihood of those documents being affected by the same disaster your home or business experiences.

Have your building evaluated by a professional engineer to identify potentially hazardous conditions.

Download Allstate’s free home inventory software to create a room-by-room inventory of your personal possessions. With photos or video, this will prove invaluable after a catastrophic loss.

Visit www.disastersafety.org/business_protection, where you can view building codes, newhome construction techniques, evaluate your risk of disaster, and find other useful information to help you prepare.

To report a loss or get answers to your claim questions, you can reach Allstate at 1-800- 54-STORM.

Review your current insurance policy with your agent to make sure you understand what is covered and what is not. For example, most homeowner’s policies do not cover flood or earthquake damage.

Consider buying flood or earthquake insurance. Based on the flooding patterns of 1998 and 2005, you may be able to assess the flood risk to your home or business based on its location. Many areas of Ojai are eligible for federally sponsored Flood Insurance coverage. Contact your insurance agent for more details.

Work with your insurance agent and your accountant to calculate your projected revenues and expenses and the potential losses from a temporary closure.

Look into Business Income or Business Interruption and Extra Expense Insurance, which protect your business if revenue doesn’t quickly return to normal in the aftermath of a disaster.

If you rent equipment or frequently posess others’ property, ask your agent about the best policy to ensure you are protected in case others’ possessions are damaged on your property.