As Teddy nears, batten down the hatches and check your insurance policy

On Monday afternoon, Antigonish, N.S., resident Paula Romanow was busy doing the same thing as many others in the Maritimes as she cleared her deck in anticipation of Teddy's arrival.

The storm is expected to hit the area hard, so Romanow made sure anything that could be blown away in high winds was removed and stored.

"This isn't my first hurricane and it's not for many others, either,"Romanow said.

Putting away possible projectiles is a good way to reduce potential damage from high winds, according to Amanda Dean, Atlantic vice-president with the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

The organization represents insurance companies and Dean said they are geared up and prepared to deal with damage claims from the storm.

Hurricane Teddy is expected to become a post-tropical storm as it arrives in the region Tuesday, and should bring heavy rain, strong winds and pounding surf to much of the Maritimes and southern Newfoundland.

Wind damage is always a worry for homeownersbut Dean saidmost can rest easy on that account.

"Under a typical homeowner policy damage due to wind is covered,"Dean said.

That includes trees falling on home or shingles that have blown off, but Dean saidthere is a qualifier: if the roof is hasn't been properly maintained and is in poor repair the damage will not be covered.

"If a roof is properly shingled and in good standing prior to the storm, if it's ripped apart during the storm and water enters the home, that's typically covered," she said.

Each insurance policy is tailored to its owner, so homeowners should have their insurance agent and company's information nearby in the event of damage. That's especially true if there is flooding because that is not typically covered.

"If folks do experience water in their basements resulting from the storm, coverage will depend on how water entered your basement and whether you have coverage for it,"Dean said.

She saidsewer-backup coverage can be added to an insurance policy as well as extended water coverage.

Dean said people should contact their insurance company as soon as they discover damage. She said insurance companies generally have claims lines open 24/7 and while the industry is ready and staffed for this storm, if there is heavy damage people will have to be patient when trying to get through.

The insurance bureau'swebsite says damage to vehicles from wind and water is usually covered if comprehensive car insurance, which is not mandatory, has been purchased.