App envisions making disaster preparation easy

Being prepared for a disaster, whatever form that disaster takes, is a key objective of a new mobile disaster preparedness app from the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

“Over the past decade, insurers paid nearly $250 billion in claims to millions of victims of disasters all across the United States. In an era when the number and cost of catastrophes is clearly on the rise, this app is a timely, easy-to-use solution that can help speed the repair, rebuilding and recovery process,” Robert Hartwig, an economist and president of the I.I.I., says in a statement.

The free app, called Know Your Plan, offers users important property protection and preparedness steps, notes an institute press release. All property mitigation information was developed in partnership with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).

The app contains preloaded checklists (customized lists can be built from scratch), communication tools and safety tips to prepare users for hurricanes, wildfires, severe winter weather, earthquakes and other disasters.

Each checklist gives users options to set task completion dates, chart progress and make additional notes for individual tasks. Functionality allows lists to be shared with family and friends.

“Too many communities were ravaged by a variety of record-setting natural catastrophes in 2010 and 2011, and we want to do whatever we can to prevent such devastation in the future,” says Brenda O’Connor, IBHS senior vice president of communications.

The launch of the app, which is available in iTunes or the App store from any iPhone, comes as the busiest period of the Atlantic hurricane season gets under way, and the country continues to struggle with record drought and devastating wildfires.