Officials encourage purchase of renters insurance

  • Published
  • By Steven Donald Smith
  • American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  With hurricane season in full-swing, military officials are encouraging servicemembers who don't own their own homes to purchase renters insurance to protect their personal property.

"Hurricane season is now upon us. We urge you, particularly if you live in an area prone to nature's fury, to examine how prepared you are to protect your family financially," Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne stated in a recent letter to airmen regarding personal financial management.

Wynne said one of the lessons learned from the 2005 hurricane season is that it is important to assess insurance needs sooner rather than later.

"Too many of our teammates, including retirees, were caught unprepared and now are bearing an avoidable financial burden," he said. "All Air Force members, whether living on base or off, should consider their family's needs for adequate personal property (renters) insurance."

Wynne said Airmen should make a detailed inventory of their personal property and also should consider purchasing flood insurance, which is not part of standard homeowner or renter insurance policies.

"Chance favors the prepared," he said.

Most insurance policies cover renters of all types, including those living in apartments, dorms or base housing.

Servicemembers having personal financial safeguards, such as renters insurance, in place helps the military meet its responsibilities, because such planning prevents distractions to military members, Wynne said.

"Although we often see our professional life in a very disciplined way, we sometimes don't realize how our personal well-being affects our job performance," he said. "When your personal life is in order, you are a better warfighter for the joint team."