A message from your agent:
Germania is here for you. In the event of a natural disaster, Germania’s catastrophe response team meets you where you’re at to service claims and provide you peace of mind. L ike most in west Texas and the panhandle, Germania agent Jana Brown of Borger-based Town & Country Insurance keeps a watchful eye when the grass gets dry and the winds pick up each year. Grass fires are a common threat to her area, and she urges her customers to take proactive measures each year to prepare, such as regularly watering and mowing their lawns and removing combustible materials away from their homes. “A wildfire is very particular,” Jana said. “A fire can burn one house but not the house right next door. There really is no rhyme or reason, so preparation is key no matter where you live.” Brown, along with fellow Germania agents Greg Germer and Russell Janecka, knows first-hand how a natural disaster can wreak havoc in their communities and how preparation is key to strong recovery. Each year, they share tips with their customers on how they can stay disaster ready.
home and family Keeping your disaster ready
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As an agency owner near the Texas coast, Janecka of Janecka Insurance Agency in Victoria is no stranger to tumultuous weather, most notably weathering Hurricane Harvey in 2017. From having backup power sources (such as a generator) to portable devices, Janecka said it’s all about adapting. “You have to be prepared to adapt,” Janecka said. “Something is going to happen that you didn’t plan for, so you have to adapt to that situation by being creative.” While it certainly pays to have the necessary equipment if you are located in a disaster-prone area like Janecka, sometimes it’s as simple as keeping a few extra copies of necessary documents on hand in the event that you may need to file a claim. Germer of Bastrop-based Germer Insurance Services witnessed his own wildfire tragedy when the historic Bastrop fire in 2011 swept through the area with a vengeance. The claims-reporting process turned frantic when customers arrived at his office unprepared when reporting total loss claims. Germer now stresses to his policyholders about the importance of filling out a home inventory checklist and keeping their contact information up to date. “It’s very important we have the right information,” Germer said. “If we don’t have it, it just delays the process. When your life is in disarray, we want to make it as easy as possible for you to file and resolve a claim.” Being logistically prepared for a natural disaster – whether it is a hurricane, fire, or freeze – is crucial to staying safe and minimizing damage. Germania is here to help you prepare and give you peace of mind.
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4 | Germania Today
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