Most home insurance policies cover wind damage, but flood damage usually requires a separate policy. (Photo: Mark Humphrey, AP)

Story Highlights

• Got insured property? There's an app for that
• Your deductible can rise dramatically for hurricane damage
• Stay with your claims adjuster and take notes as he surveys the damage

5:48PM EDT October 29. 2012 – If Hurricane Sandy hit your home, you’ve probably lost something, from a few shingles to the whole shebang. If you’ve planned well, you can keep your losses as low as possible. And if you haven’t planned well, you can take action now to minimize your losses in the next disaster.

The best thing you could have done before Sandy struck was make an inventory of your house and your possessions. There’s even an app for that if you still want to do it. Go to the Insurance Information Institute’s website (www.iii.org/software) and download its home inventory app.

The app lets you enter information on where you bought your possessions and how much they cost. All the information is stored remotely, so even if your iPhone gets swept out to sea, you’ll still have a record of what you lost.

Make sure you know your insurance policy number — and, if possible, where a copy of your policy is. If you haven’t read your policy, this is a very good time to review it. “Reading a policy isn’t exciting, but it’s very important,” says John Egan, editor of InsuranceQuotes.com.

Most policies will cover wind damage, and they will cover water damage if a tree crashes into your roof. But flood damage typically requires a separate policy. “There are many people who find out the hard way that flooding can cause a lot of damage,” Egan says. “They’re left holding the bag in flooded areas.”

And, yes, it’s too late to get flood insurance for Hurricane Sandy. Typically, insurers cease writing policies when hurricanes are nearby. “You need to think about it in dry weather,” Egan says. Most flood insurance policies kick in 30 days after you sign them.

You should also check your policy to see if your deductible is higher for a hurricane than a regular wind policy. Typically, your homeowner policy will have a dollar deductible — say, $1,000 — for damage to your house.

Many policies have hurricane deductibles, which then become a percentage of the home’s insured value. If your home’s insured value is $200,000, for example, the policy could have a 5% deductible — $10,000. Typically, the information is on the first page of your policy.

The hurricane deductible is usually spelled out carefully: Some may not kick in unless the hurricane is a Category 2 or above, for example. If you do have to pay the higher deductible, however, you may be able to deduct some of that loss from your income for tax purposes. You’ll need to fill out IRS Form 4684 to claim your loss.

Once the storm is over, it’s time to call your insurer. If you don’t know the number, you can find the toll-free numbers of all the insurance companies at the III’s website.

Claims adjusters are just outside the storm area, waiting for local authorities to give them the go-ahead to enter devastated areas, says Bob Hartwig, president of III.

It’s crucial that you be with the adjuster when he surveys the storm damage, Egan says. Keep a notebook and write down everything he says, as well as the name of everyone you talk to at the insurance company. “Point out damage, take notes of what’s happening and what the adjuster says and does,” Egan says. “No one else will do that for you.”

If your home is uninhabitable, and your policy covers it, your adjuster can probably cut a check on the spot for temporary housing. If you make a temporary repair to prevent further damage — boarding up a broken window, for example — you can probably get reimbursed for the cost of materials.

Be wary of contractors who go door-to-door and ask for an upfront fee to fix storm damage, Hartwig says. Too often, they’re scamsters who will take your money and scram.

A continuing slide in the volume of distressed properties seen in the housing market is helping to boost home prices in many parts of the country. Meanwhile, uncertainty about the impact of next month’s national elections appears to be causing some would-be homebuyers to delay taking any action until after November, according to the October HousingPulse survey  of real estate agents.

The survey found that one major reason behind the rise in home prices is a fairly sharp drop in the share of distressed properties found in recent home sales.

The HousingPulse Distressed Property Index (DPI), which tracks the proportion of home purchase transactions involving distressed properties, fell to a record low of 38.6 percent in September based on a three-month moving average. This was the fifth month in a row that the DPI has fallen, and is now down more than 10 percentage points from the near-record-high 48.7 percent DPI level recorded in February of this year.

The precipitous drop in the share of distressed properties in the housing market is largely attributable to fewer foreclosed properties or real estate owned (REO) being put up for sale by banks. HousingPulse respondents reported in October that major banks appear to be keeping many REO properties off the market this year. But they also suggest banks may be looking to unload significant amounts of REO next year – a move that could put downward pressure on home prices.

In addition to the standard monthly questions about housing market conditions, HousingPulse respondents were asked in this month’s survey whether the upcoming national elections were having any impact on the housing market in their area. Interestingly, the results were mixed.

A number of agents reported that home sales had slowed in September and October as many homebuyers were taking a wait-and-see attitude about the elections. “We are seeing middle-to-high-income buyers pausing due to the upcoming elections. We hear it daily,” reported an agent in Georgia. “It [the election] is having a negative effect on home sales in our market. Everyone is waiting to see who gets elected in November,” added an agent in Pennsylvania.

But other agents reported the upcoming presidential election was actually spurring some home purchases by buyers concerned that mortgage interest rates would rise after November. “Many of my clients are worried about interest rates rising after the election and feel they may be artificially held down by the current administration,” noted an agent in Virginia. “I think now people are in a hurry before the election and not knowing what the future will hold after the elections,” added an agent in New York.

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CoreLogic today warned that storm surges generated by Hurricane Sandy could ruin more than 210,000 homes valued at over $67 billion among the coastal Mid-Atlantic states  as the storm makes its way inland today and tomorrow.

“Based on current forecasts, Sandy is likely to make landfall along the northeastern Atlantic coast early Monday,” said Dr. Howard Botts, vice president and director of database development for CoreLogic Spatial Solutions. “Though it is still early and the projected path is constantly changing, Sandy could pose an enormous threat to major metropolitan areas in the Northeast, like New York City and Long Island, Atlantic City and Baltimore.”

Total number and total value of residential properties by coastal Mid-Atlantic state are:

State     Number of Properties at Risk     Value of Properties at Risk

New York            81,078   $35,128,036,406

New Jersey        75,314   $22,601,229,263

Delaware             8,894     $2,069,493,600

Maryland             30,131   $8,983,837,253

Virginia 66,544   $11,311,646,410

The number of residential properties in each metro area and their respective potential exposure to damage are as follows:

Metro Area        Number of Properties at Risk     Value of Properties at Risk

New York City-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA        119,312 $48,064,953,474

Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ     20,283   $4,807,676,476

Washington-Arlington-Alexandra, DC-VA             2,207     $734,901,116

Baltimore-Towson, MD 10,010   $3,508,329,420

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC  59,042   $10,029,968,947

Hurricane-driven storm-surge flooding can cause significant property damage when high winds and low pressure causes water to amass inside the storm, releasing a powerful rush over land when the hurricane moves on shore. The CoreLogic analysis measures damage from storm surge and does not include potential damage from wind and rain associated with hurricanes. CoreLogic today warned that storm surges generated by

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Google is cramming a few more gadgets on to already crowded holiday shopping lists.

The devices announced Monday include the latest in Google‘s line of Nexus smartphones and a larger version of the 7-inch Nexus 7 tablet, which the company began selling in July under the Nexus brand. It’s also adding cellular capabilities to the Nexus 7 and doubling the capacity of existing models.

The Nexus 4 smartphone is being made by LG Electronics Inc. and features a minor update to Google‘s Android operating system, which now powers more than 500 million devices worldwide. A more comprehensive upgrade, known as Key Lime Pie, is expected next year. The version of Android affected by these changes is known as Jelly Bean.

The larger Nexus tablet is being made by Samsung Electronics Co. and features a display screen that measures about 10 inches diagonally, about the same size as Apple Inc.‘s top-selling iPad.

With these additions to its product lineup, Google joins a procession of companies selling a gamut of sleek and powerful computing devices in different shapes and sizes. Some are smartphones and other are tablet computers, but they all aim to cater to people’s growing interest to have easily portable devices that can be used to connect to the Internet, take pictures, watch video and read books, magazines and newspapers.

Google‘s Nexus devices will be competing with gadgets from such companies as Apple Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Barnes & Noble Inc., Samsung and Microsoft Corp. Microsoft released a new tablet called Surface last week and launched new software for phones on Monday.

Google‘s introduction of a larger tablet comes less than a week after Apple announced it’s making a smaller, less expensive iPad, with a 7.9-inch display, to compete with the Nexus 7 and Amazon.com Inc.‘s Kindle Fire. The iPad Mini will be available in stores Friday.

Some analysts have questioned whether consumers will balk at the iPad Mini’s $329 price for a device with 16 gigabytes of storage. Google is widening the price difference between the iPad Mini and its smaller tablet by cutting $50 off the price of a comparable, 16-gigabyte Nexus 7, to $199. The 8-gigabyte version, which had sold for $199, will be discontinued. A Nexus 7 with 32 gigabytes of storage is being introduced for $249 in an apparent effort to discourage even more people from buying the iPad Mini. The cheapest Nexus 7 is still pricier than the Kindle Fire, which starts at $159 for a no-frills model.

The Nexus 7 tablets will continue to be sold at Google‘s Play store online as well as such retailers as GameStop, Office Depot, Office Max, Staples, Wal-Mart.

The Nexus 10 tablet with 16 gigabytes of storage will sell for $399. That’s $100 less than the comparable version of the latest iPad, though the older iPad 2 is still available at that price. The Nexus goes on sale in Google‘s online store Nov. 13.

The Nexus 4 phone boasts a 4.7-inch screen, larger than Apple’s recently released iPhone 5 and just slightly smaller than Samsung’s flagship phone, the Galaxy S III. A 16-gigabyte model of the Nexus 4 will sell for $199 with a two-year contract to buy phone service and Internet access from T-Mobile. A contract-free version is available for $299 with 8 gigabytes of storage and $349 for the 16-gigabyte model. Google is touting the Nexus 4’s wireless charging capability as a major selling point.

Microsoft entered the tablet fray last week with the Surface. The initial model runs Windows RT, part of the Windows 8 family of operating systems. Microsoft has radically redesigned Windows to appeal to people who want the utility of a personal computer coupled with the convenience of smaller mobile devices that rely on touch controls. More than 1,000 PCs and other devices are expected to run on Windows 8.

Microsoft launched its version of Windows 8 for smartphones in San Francisco at an event Monday that included an appearance by actress Jessica Alba. Google had hoped to upstage Microsoft‘s celebration by rolling out its latest gadgets at an event a few hours earlier in New York, but that got canceled because of Hurricane Sandy. The company, which is based in Mountain View, Calif., instead released details about the devices in a blog post.

Besides adding more hardware to its online store, Google is expanding its music library to include Warner Music Group’s catalog. Warner had been the only holdout among the major music labels when Google began selling music a year ago to compete with Apple’s iTunes stores. The company also said it will begin selling music in Europe beginning Nov. 13.

The Android update includes a feature called Gesture Typing, which is supposed to make it quicker and simpler to enter text and other information on touch-screen phones and tablets.

Stay up-to-date on the latest in Bedford-Katonah-Lewisboro storm coverage through the Patch Storm Hub.

Town of Lewisboro Supervisor Peter Parsons has declared a state of emergency for Lewisboro and its hamlets as of Sunday at 7 p.m.

“In a ‘state of emergency,’ we’re able to spend money on necessary measures during the storm without requiring the entire town board to assemble and approve the spending,” he said.

For example, he’s exploring the rental of illuminated signs to post at key locations around town to keep residents informed. In addition, he could deploy a private tree service to clear fallen trees as needed, he said.

Parsons encouraged residents to take necessary precautions and stock up on emergency supplies (click here for a checklist of storm supply preparations).

Beginning at 7 p.m., town hall will be used as Lewisboro’s emergency command center; the phone number is (914) 977-8043. This number may be used for any to obtain information and to report such incidents as blocked roads. For emergency calls, locals are directed to use 9-1-1.

Residents are encouraged to use the town’s website to obtain information and resources. In the event the host server goes down, an alternate website has been set up at lewisboroemergency.com. The sites will be updated starting tomorrow at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., daily.

In addition, the Goldens Bridge, South Salem and Vista Fire Departments and shopping centers in Cross River, Vista and Goldens Bridge will serve as information centers, with “old-fashioned” paper bulletins posted as needed, said Parsons.

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Resources and Information

Bedford declared a state of emergency Monday at noon.

Warming centers are available at each of the three fire departments. All non-essential travel on roads in the Town of Bedford is prohibited. The Town House will be closed this afternoon and Tuesday, reopening at 8:30am on Wednesday.

If overnight sheltering is necessary, please call the Bedford Police Department at 914-241-3111 to make arrangements.  Overnight shelter will be available at the Bedford Hills Fire Department.

In Lewisboro, officials have declared a state of emergency as of 7 p.m. Sunday night, Supervisor Peter Parsons told Patch.

Beginning at 7 p.m., town hall will be used as Lewisboro’s emergency command center; the phone number is (914) 977-8043. This number may be used for any to obtain information and to report such incidents as blocked roads. For emergency calls, locals are directed to use 9-1-1.

Residents are encouraged to use the town’s website to obtain information and resources. In the event the host server goes down, an alternate website has been set up at lewisboroemergency.com. The sites will be updated starting tomorrow at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., daily.

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) has launched a Hurricane Sandy Helpline. Residents can call 1–888-769-7243 or 1-518-485-1159 for questions related to preparation for the storm.

Road closures and power outages

NYSEG officials say they are prepared to respond to outages but customers should prepare themselves to be without power as a result of the storm—possibly for days. Click here for their latest press release (Monday 4 p.m.)

Town	Number of Customers	Number of Customers without power
Bedford	6,657	881
Pound Ridge	2,365	1,116
Katonah	1,353	862
Lewisboro	5,461	2,172
Somers	9,087	3,112

Click on the NYSEG outage map for the latest in local power outages.

To report downled lines, call ConEdison – 800-752-6633 and NYSEG at 800-572-1131 (electric); 800-572-1121 (gas). To report a life-threatening emergency or no power, by telephone, contact NYSEG Electrical emergency at 800-572-1131.

Dial 211 for up-to-date road closure information. Bedford police request that locals do not call police to inquire about road conditions. Dispatch staff will likely be unable to commit time to discussing road conditions.

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Current forecast: Monday 1 p.m.

You can listen to this audio podcast from the National Hurricane Center, saying the weather is “going to deteriorate very rapidly through this afternoon to mid-this evening.”

Hurricane Sandy is moving toward the New Jersey coast and landfall is expected for the southern coast there. However, effects of “this very large landfall,” will be felt in several states sometime early-to-mid this evening. Gusts will max out at 90 miles per hour.

The winds will be hurricane-force and rainfall will reach 6 to 12 inches. “It’s not just a coastal event and inland flooding is a concern as well,” said James Franklin with the National Hurricane Center.

According to computer-model simulations it will lose power Tuesday, still with huricane-force winds topping off around 55 miles per hour. It is a large system that will impact many people for multiple days with widespread power outages, coastal storm surges and flooding.

A 20-mile-wide eye has developed since this morning. Wind and storm surge warnings remain in effect. The National Weather Service says the exact location of the landfall is of little importance because of the storm’s size. For example, up to two feet of snow are expected in West Virginia; up to 22-foot waves are expected on Lake Ontario.

For a storm explainer: What Is This “Frankenstorm” Heading Our Way?

Cancellations and closures

• The Mount Kisco Medical Group is closing all offices and emergency care centers at 1 p.m. Monday; all patients should call 244Mkmg to check on their appointment status rest of week, and should call 911 for emergencies.
• Local libraries (in Bedford and in Lewisboro) will be closed on Monday, Oct. 29. Stay tuned for information regarding this week’s Halloween events.
• Bedford Central and Katonah Lewisboro schools have cancelled school for Monday and Tuesday Oct. 29-30.
• The Katonah Art Center is closed Monday and Tuesday.
• The Katonah Museum is closed Monday but may open Tuesday.
• The town of Bedford has cancelled all activities and closed all parks beginning Monday morning at 7 a.m. due to concerns about falling trees and flooding. Officials request all residents stay off the trails during the storm. High winds may result in trees coming down and large tree limbs breaking off.
• The Town of Lewisboro has cancelled its Monday night board meeting. The next Town Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 8 at the Lewisboro Library. 
• The League of Women Voters Oct. 29 candidate forum at John Jay High School is cancelled.
• All Bedford Community Theater activities scheduled for Monday and Tuesday have been cancelled.
• Westchester County: The regular meeting and planned Italian heritage celebration by the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) scheduled for Oct. 29 has been changed from 7 PM to 11 AM. 
• Westchester County: The veterans town hall scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 30 is cancelled. It will be rescheduled for a later date.  

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Patch’s full coverage

• Bedford Declares State of Emergency
• Lewisboro Declares State of Emergency
• Flights Expected to Cease, PATH to Shut Down
• MTA Suspending Metro North, Subways, Buses as of 7 PM
• Red Cross Launches Multi-State Response
• AG Warns Against Price Gouging
• School Closings in the Hudson Valley

• Bedford Officials Preparing for Storm

• Residents Prepare for Sandy’s Onslaught [PHOTOS]

• How You Can Prep For Hurricane Sandy [VIDEO]

• Cuomo Declares State of Emergency for New York

• NYS Thruway Preps for Hurricane Sandy

• Video: MTA Prepping for Storm

• Storm Preparation: Do You Have A Checklist?

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