Minnesota is no stranger to tornadoes. Although we’re on the northern edge of the area frequented by tornadoes, we still see an average of 27 tornadoes per year. Weather experts have documented tornadoes in Minnesota from March through November, but 75% of Minnesota’s tornadoes strike in May, June, and July.
Although weather forecasters know more about tornadoes and can more reliably predict them, nothing can make them not happen. The best you can do to protect yourself and your family is to seek safe shelter at the time of severe weather. For financial protection, make sure your insurance covers tornados in an amount sufficient to rebuild.
The National Weather Service grades tornadoes on the F scale. The strongest, most damaging winds occur during an F5 tornado. Wind speeds in a F5 tornado reach 261-318 miles per hour and obliterate all in their path. Even a F0 tornado, however, with winds from 40-72 miles per hour, can do plenty of damage.
Some tornado damage results from the wind itself e.g., downed trees. Other kinds of damage result from objects becoming projectiles e.g, pieces of structures blown about and driven into other structures. From a scientific standpoint, tornados are fascinating, but experiencing a tornado is terrifying.
The average tornado is not on the ground long, mere minutes, but can cause several kinds of damage covered by a standard HO-5 form of homeowners insurance:
- Loss of home-Coverage A
- Loss of other structures-Coverage B
- Loss of personal property-Coverage C
- Living expenses-Coverage D
Meet with one of our agents to make sure all these coverages are in place and in the proper amount. You should insure for an amount equal to the cost of rebuilding your home. If you underinsure, your recovery will be limited, even in the case of a partial loss. Typically adequate insurance is defined as a minimum of 80% of the cost of labor and materials to rebuild. These costs change over time and the staff at Andreotti have resources to determine current costs. Note that the cost to rebuild is not the same as market value or purchase price.
Tornado season is upon us here in Minnesota. Contact us to make sure you are doing what you can to protect your savings. Feel free to stop by our office located at 6230 10th Street N, #430 in Oakdale, MN 55128-4108 or call to discuss any concerns by phone (651) 739-9302.