Insurance Online : Flood Insurance Claim Filed in State Court Properly Dismissed

   The insureds' claim for flood coverage filed in state court was properly dismissed by the trial court. Rodriguez-Roble v. Am. Nat'l Prop. & Cas. Co., 2015 La. App LEXIS 1810 (La. Ct. App. Sept. 23, 2015).    The insureds' home was damaged by wind, rain and flood water during Hurricane Isac. The insureds provided to American National what they contended was satisfactory proof of their claim. American National failed to make any offers to resolve the claim.    The insureds sued in state court, seeking damages under the policy and penalties for American National's alleged bad faith in failing to settle or pay the claim. American National moved to dismiss, arguing that the state court did not have subject matter jurisdiction. American National further argued that under the National Flood Insurance Program, the federal courts had exclusive jurisdiction over the denial and adjustment of flood insurance claims. The trial court agreed that the flood insurance policy was governed by federal law.     The appellate court affirmed. Because a flood insurance policy was codified under federal law, an insured was charged with knowledge of a flood insurance policy's contents even if the insured never received a copy of the policy. Federal courts had exclusive jurisdiction over disputes regarding the denial and adjustment of flood claims. Here, the insureds could not avoid the federal courts' original exclusive jurisdiction over their claims based upon their alleged lack of understanding that their policy was part of a "federal program."

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Insurance Online : The Cyber Risk Insurance Market

There has been significant commentary on the market for Cyber Risk insurance (see our prior post here), some positive and some commentary not so much. We provide Cyber Risk insurance to a wide range of small to medium sized organizations utilizing a range of insurance markets, and we see a very robust market for coverage. It does take some effort and expertise to navigate the market, and as a wholesale broker we support our retail insurance agency clients in providing cyber risk insurance. Our key points on the current market: Many insurers provide Cyber Risk Insurance Coverage is reasonably priced Cyber Risk Insurance can be comprehensive, but not all forms are Forms vary considerably and can be tailored to a...

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Insurance Online : The Night of Fright is Upon Us

Grocery store aisles are full of princess dress and superhero suits, fun-size candy, and frightful orange and black decorations. Kids, adults, friends, couples, and families have spent the last month or more carefully choosing terrifying or out-of-the box costumes that will get them, like, the most likes ever on Facebook and Instagram.

Halloween is clawing its way out of the grave and into our lives, and it’s time to make sure a lack of home insurance won’t bury you in the event of an incident. Following are a few sinister scenarios to watch out for:

Perilous Pumpkins

As soon as the temperatures dipped down just far enough to warrant – maybe we should say allow – indulging in boot season, pumpkin patches began to become some of the most crowded public venues. Nothing says fall like pumpkins, and the age-old tradition of carving them gets children and adults alike excited for the upcoming holiday.

Even for the most careful carvers, accidents can happen and serious gashes can send you, friends, or family members to the ER. Always supervise when children are using sharp knives to carve faces into pumpkins. Or nix the knives and opt for paintbrushes this year instead.

But carving isn’t the only threat looming over the pumpkins on the porch. The flames bringing a terrorizing touch to the carved faces are a reason to be concerned as well.

What if a child clad in a Grim Reaper costume comes sprinting up to your doorstep in pursuit of candy, trips on the top step, and knocks over a pumpkin? If you have candle flickering in said pumpkin, the trick-or-treater’s loose costume fabric along with decorations or other things on your porch could become engulfed in flames.

In fact, between 2009 and 2011 during the three-day stint around Halloween, 33,900 fires were reported, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Those fires resulted in $96 million in property damage per year during the three-year span, the report said. In lieu of candles this year, opt for battery powered lights – tea lights work great – to make your home safer for the local kiddos.

Decorations to Die For

As the unofficial beginning for the holiday season with Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, New Years, Valentine’s Day, and St. Patrick’s Day all queued up behind it, homeowners can get a little carried away with decorating for Halloween.

Corn stalks, hay bales, pumpkins, spider webs, skeletons, fake blood, inflatable ghosts, orange lights, spooky sound effects. Each and every neighborhood collectively pulls out all the stops to make Halloween spectacular for trick-or-treaters. But before you get so in-depth with the décor, keep your eyes peeled for potential dangers.

For example, fake blood pooled around your entryway could cause visitors to slip and fall and hurt themselves. Different decorations present various threats, and if you don’t have adequate liability coverage included in your home insurance policy, you may be paying for medical costs for your guests out-of-pocket.

If You’ve Got It, Haunt It

Some homeowners enjoy transforming their suburban abodes into horrifying haunted houses. Just remember that in doing so, you’re yet again relying on your liability coverage.

When kids get scared, they may take off running. They may even run smack dab into a wall and suffer an injury. In this instance, you likely would be liable since the incident occurred on your property. If you skimped on liability coverage, you could wind up paying a pretty penny for medical expenses, depending on the extent of the injury.

Also worth mentioning is that if you charge an entry fee for your haunted house and an injury results, your insurance may view it as a business. And if you don’t have a business policy, you may not receive any liability coverage. Know the ins and outs of your policy and the situations in which you are and aren’t protected so that you can make adjustments.

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

Well, actually we’re talking about domesticated animals, but you get the point. Some pets don’t react well to strangers. If you know your pet might get defensive with trick-or-treaters ringing the doorbell all night long, put it in a gated room so that fright night doesn’t become bite night. Dog bites alone cost insurance providers about $530 million in 2014, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Confine your pets because it’s better to be safe than sorry about this potential peril.

Dance, Dance, Dance Until You Die!

If you’re engaging in a little Hocus Pocus – you see what we did here – this Halloween and plan on hosting a party that features alcoholic beverages on the menu, there are steps you should take to reduce the risk that your guests will drunkenly drive home.

This year, Halloween is on a Saturday, which is great news for kids and adults alike. The last time the holiday fell on a weekend was in 2008 and the III reported that more than half – 58%, to be exact – of highway fatalities on Halloween night involved drivers with blood-alcohol contents that either met or exceeded the legal limit.

If you’re not aware, in the instance that an impaired party guest leaves your killer soiree and causes a wreck that injures or kills someone, the blame may fall on you.

Be a responsible host and collect your guests’ car keys as they walk in the door and be cognizant of their alcohol intake so that you’re able to cut them off when necessary. If that seems like a job you don’t want to do, hire a bartender to shoulder the burden. Lastly, insure that all guests either have a designated driver or are spending the night if they choose to imbibe.

Creep It Real

Home insurance is in place to protect you from life’s unforeseen moments, but you still should do your part to reduce the risk of incidents occurring on your property.

Enjoy the holiday and Trick or Treat Yo’self!

Photo credit for preview image: Flickr user/Torley

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Insurance Online : The Night of Fright is Upon Us

Grocery store aisles are full of princess dress and superhero suits, fun-size candy, and frightful orange and black decorations. Kids, adults, friends, couples, and families have spent the last month or more carefully choosing terrifying or out-of-the box costumes that will get them, like, the most likes ever on Facebook and Instagram.

Halloween is clawing its way out of the grave and into our lives, and it’s time to make sure a lack of home insurance won’t bury you in the event of an incident. Following are a few sinister scenarios to watch out for:

Perilous Pumpkins

As soon as the temperatures dipped down just far enough to warrant – maybe we should say allow – indulging in boot season, pumpkin patches began to become some of the most crowded public venues. Nothing says fall like pumpkins, and the age-old tradition of carving them gets children and adults alike excited for the upcoming holiday.

Even for the most careful carvers, accidents can happen and serious gashes can send you, friends, or family members to the ER. Always supervise when children are using sharp knives to carve faces into pumpkins. Or nix the knives and opt for paintbrushes this year instead.

But carving isn’t the only threat looming over the pumpkins on the porch. The flames bringing a terrorizing touch to the carved faces are a reason to be concerned as well.

What if a child clad in a Grim Reaper costume comes sprinting up to your doorstep in pursuit of candy, trips on the top step, and knocks over a pumpkin? If you have candle flickering in said pumpkin, the trick-or-treater’s loose costume fabric along with decorations or other things on your porch could become engulfed in flames.

In fact, between 2009 and 2011 during the three-day stint around Halloween, 33,900 fires were reported, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Those fires resulted in $96 million in property damage per year during the three-year span, the report said. In lieu of candles this year, opt for battery powered lights – tea lights work great – to make your home safer for the local kiddos.

Decorations to Die For

As the unofficial beginning for the holiday season with Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, New Years, Valentine’s Day, and St. Patrick’s Day all queued up behind it, homeowners can get a little carried away with decorating for Halloween.

Corn stalks, hay bales, pumpkins, spider webs, skeletons, fake blood, inflatable ghosts, orange lights, spooky sound effects. Each and every neighborhood collectively pulls out all the stops to make Halloween spectacular for trick-or-treaters. But before you get so in-depth with the décor, keep your eyes peeled for potential dangers.

For example, fake blood pooled around your entryway could cause visitors to slip and fall and hurt themselves. Different decorations present various threats, and if you don’t have adequate liability coverage included in your home insurance policy, you may be paying for medical costs for your guests out-of-pocket.

If You’ve Got It, Haunt It

Some homeowners enjoy transforming their suburban abodes into horrifying haunted houses. Just remember that in doing so, you’re yet again relying on your liability coverage.

When kids get scared, they may take off running. They may even run smack dab into a wall and suffer an injury. In this instance, you likely would be liable since the incident occurred on your property. If you skimped on liability coverage, you could wind up paying a pretty penny for medical expenses, depending on the extent of the injury.

Also worth mentioning is that if you charge an entry fee for your haunted house and an injury results, your insurance may view it as a business. And if you don’t have a business policy, you may not receive any liability coverage. Know the ins and outs of your policy and the situations in which you are and aren’t protected so that you can make adjustments.

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

Well, actually we’re talking about domesticated animals, but you get the point. Some pets don’t react well to strangers. If you know your pet might get defensive with trick-or-treaters ringing the doorbell all night long, put it in a gated room so that fright night doesn’t become bite night. Dog bites alone cost insurance providers about $530 million in 2014, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Confine your pets because it’s better to be safe than sorry about this potential peril.

Dance, Dance, Dance Until You Die!

If you’re engaging in a little Hocus Pocus – you see what we did here – this Halloween and plan on hosting a party that features alcoholic beverages on the menu, there are steps you should take to reduce the risk that your guests will drunkenly drive home.

This year, Halloween is on a Saturday, which is great news for kids and adults alike. The last time the holiday fell on a weekend was in 2008 and the III reported that more than half – 58%, to be exact – of highway fatalities on Halloween night involved drivers with blood-alcohol contents that either met or exceeded the legal limit.

If you’re not aware, in the instance that an impaired party guest leaves your killer soiree and causes a wreck that injures or kills someone, the blame may fall on you.

Be a responsible host and collect your guests’ car keys as they walk in the door and be cognizant of their alcohol intake so that you’re able to cut them off when necessary. If that seems like a job you don’t want to do, hire a bartender to shoulder the burden. Lastly, insure that all guests either have a designated driver or are spending the night if they choose to imbibe.

Creep It Real

Home insurance is in place to protect you from life’s unforeseen moments, but you still should do your part to reduce the risk of incidents occurring on your property.

Enjoy the holiday and Trick or Treat Yo’self!

Photo credit for preview image: Flickr user/Torley

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Insurance Online : Pennsylvania’s Most Dangerous Cities for Severe Weather

Pennsylvania’s only F5 tornado was recorded in May 1985 during what is now referred to as the Barrie tornado outbreak, which swept three states and Ontario, Canada. The outbreak killed 65 Pennsylvanians, and throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, the outbreak caused $600 million worth of damage.

With the intensity of such a tornado outbreak in mind, HomeInsurance.com decided to investigate which cities in Pennsylvania are the most dangerous in terms of severe weather such as wind, hail, lightning, and flooding. Here are the findings:

1.     Hempfield

Photo credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Topping the list of the most dangerous Pennsylvania cities is Hempfield – named for the hemp fields in the surrounding areas. The township is located among 76.8 square miles of Westmoreland County, and with more than 43,200 residents, it’s the largest Pittsburgh suburb. Because the township surrounds the city of Greensburg, Hempfield is home to the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg and the Greensburg campus of Carlow University.

2.     Tredyffrin

Photo credit: Tredyffrin Township

Tredyffrin is a township in Chester County – home to more than 29,300 Pennsylvanians. The city was originally a portion of the state set aside by William Penn for the Welsh to settle in, which is how the township got its name – ‘tref ‘meaning town, and ‘dyffryn’ meaning valley in Welsh. The township was incorporated in 1707 and is home to 14 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.

3.     Reading

Photo credit: Flickr user/Chris Favero

Reading, positioned halfway between Harrisburg and Philadelphia along a major transportation route, is home to the now inoperative Reading Railroad – one of four railroad properties featured in the board game Monopoly. The city also has popular attractions such as The Pagoda, the Reading Glove and Mitten Manufacturing Co., and the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower. Reading has a population of 88,082 and is situated in Berks County.

4.     Bensalem

Photo credit: Flickr user/Jack Boucher

Occupying 21 square miles of southern Bucks County, Bensalem was founded in 1682. The township is the location of the Parx Casino and Racetrack – a horse racing track that is one mile in length – which also was the filming site of portions of the movie Safe, starring Jason Statham. The township is home to 60,427 Pennsylvanians and is the largest municipality in the county.

5.     Lower Merion

Photo credit: Montgomery County Planning Commission

Rounding out the top five most dangerous cities in Pennsylvania for severe weather is Lower Merion. The township is nestled in Montgomery County and has more than 57,800 residents. Lower Merion was settled in 1682 and is a suburb of Philadelphia. The township is the home of three venues on the National Register of Historic Places – the Mill Creek Historic District, Seville Theatre, and Green Hill Farms – as well as NBA star Kobe Bryant, director M. Night Shyamalan, and singer Teddy Pendergrass.

6.     Pittsburgh

Photo credit: Flickr user/Jon Dawson

With a population of more than 305,700, Pittsburgh is the second-largest city on the list. Located in Allegheny County, Pittsburgh ranks as the sixth most dangerous city in Pennsylvania for severe weather due to having the highest flood, hail, and wind scores of all top 25 cities. Pittsburgh is referred to as the Steel City due to its more than 300 businesses that deal with steel and as the City of Bridges since there are more than 446 located within it. Pittsburgh is home to the Andy Warhol Museum; rapper Wiz Khalifa; and several higher education institutions, such as the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and Duquesne University.

7.     Lancaster

Photo credit: Flickr user/David Wilson

Lancaster is chock full of history and culture. The city is home to 11 venues on the National Register of Historic Places, including Wheatland, the estate of 15^th president, James Buchanan; Fulton Opera House, the oldest continuously run theater in the nation; and Hamilton Watch Complex, which sold the first  battery operated watch. Lancaster is located in Lancaster County and has a population of 59,322.

8.     York

Photo credit: Flickr user/WabbyTwaxx

Nestled among 5.26 square miles of York County, York is home to more than 43,700 residents. The city is often referred to as an architectural museum due to the fact that it has a plethora of well-maintained historic structures in the downtown area such as the Golden Plough Tavern (built in 1741) and the York Central Market (built 1888). York is home to the York Little Theatre and the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center, where performers such as B.B. King and Kenny G. have taken the stage, as well as the historic York Fair, which is believed to be the oldest in the U.S. It has featured artists such as Carrie Underwood and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

9.     Peters

Photo credit: Peters Township

Founded in 1781 as one of Washington County’s 13 original townships, Peters began as a farming community before shifting its focus to the coal industry. The township is home to the Enoch Wright House, a 12-room, two-kitchen home built in 1815 for two families and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. Peters has a population of more than 21,200 and occupies 19.8 square miles of the county.

10.    Bethlehem

Photo credit: Flickr user/Lehigh Valley PA

Bethlehem is situated in Northampton County and has more than 74,900 residents. Bethlehem is widely known for hosting an annual 10-day festival, Musikfest, which brings more than a million visitors to the city. Bethlehem recently opened a 10-acre portion of town called Steel Stacks which allows residents and visitors to see art, movies, music, and festivals year-round. Actors Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Jonathan Taylor Thomas hail from the area, and the city also is home to Lehigh University.

11.    Hopewell

Photo credit: Hopewell Township

With a population of 12,593, Hopewell is the second-smallest city on our list as well as a suburb of Pittsburgh. The Ohio River flows along the eastern border of the township. Hopewell is home to a 97.5-square mile industrial park called RIDC as well as NFL Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett. The township is situated among 17 square miles of Beaver County.

12.    Wilkes-Barre

Photo credit: Flickr user/Brad Clinesmith

Wilkes-Barre is in Luzerne County and has a population of 41,498. Founded in 1769, Wilkes-Barre is positioned between the Pocono Mountains, the Endless Mountains, the Lehigh Valley, and the Susquehanna River. The city is the site of a 1926 exhibition baseball game involving Hughestown and Larksville, during which it’s said that Babe Ruth mustered the strength to hit one of the longest home runs – approximately 650 feet – in baseball history.

13.    Allentown

Photo credit: City of Allentown

Allentown is a significant city in terms of U.S. history. The city was the hiding place of the Liberty Bell during the American Revolution. Allentown is located in Lehigh County along the Lehigh River and has a population of more than 118,000. The city also is significant in reference to the arts as the Allentown Art Museum is the home of one of three of Leonardo Da Vinci’s horse sculptures.

14.    Meadville

Photo credit: Flickr user/exithacan

Meadville – founded in 1788 – was the first permanent settlement in the northwest portion of the state. The city is home to eight venues on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Meadville Downtown Historic District, along with liberal arts school, Allegheny College. Meadville is in Crawford County at the confluence of French Creek and Cussewago Creek and is home to more than 13,300 Pennsylvanians.

15.    Oil City

Photo credit: Oil City

With 10,557 residents, Oil City is the smallest dangerous city for severe weather in Pennsylvania. The city is nestled in Venango County at the confluence of the Allegheny River and Oil Creek.  Oil City became a pivotal city in the 1850s when oil wells began being dug and aiding in the rising petroleum industry. The city became home to big motor oil corporations such as Wolf’s Head, Pennzoil, and Quaker State.

16.    Upper Darby

Photo credit: Flickr user/Ninian Reid

Upper Darby is a township that was founded in 1655 and functions as a suburb of Philadelphia. Widely known attractions of Upper Darby include the Lower Swedish Cabin – thought to be the oldest building in the state and one of the oldest log cabins in the country – and famous music venue, Tower Theater. The township is the hometown of several famous individuals such as Jim Croce, Jamie Kennedy, and Tina Fey. Upper Darby is located in Delaware County and has a population of 82,795.

17.    Coolbaugh

Photo credit: Flickr user/Nicholas Tonelli

 

Coolbaugh is home to more than 20,500 residents and is tucked away in Monroe County. Coolbaugh occupies 88 square miles and is the location of Tobyhanna State Park, where residents enjoy lying on the beach, fishing, canoeing, hiking, camping, and having picnics when weather permits.

18.    North Union

Photo credit: North Union

North Union is found in Fayette County and has a population of more than 12,700. The township was formed in 1851, and its northern portion is where the French and Indian War sparked nearly a century before its formation. The township is home to Penn State Fayette, which is a satellite campus of the Big Ten institution.

19.    Cranberry

Photo credit: Cranberry Township

Cranberry is a township that’s growing at one of the most rapid paces throughout the country in terms of population and business. Its location is largely attributed to the growth – it’s an intersection for Interstates 79 and 76, Pennsylvania Route 228, and U.S. Route 19, making the township reachable from just about every direction. Situated among 22.8 square miles of Butler County, Cranberry is home to more than 28,000 Pennsylvanians.

20.    Philadelphia

Photo credit: Flickr user/Kathryn Yengel

Closing out the top 20 most dangerous cities for severe weather in Pennsylvania is Philadelphia. With a population of more than 1.5 million, Philly is the largest city on the list. It’s nestled in Philadelphia County and was founded in 1682 at the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. Philadelphia is one of the most historically significant cities in the country as it was the meeting location for the Founding Fathers, as well as where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution came to fruition. Philadelphia is the home of the Liberty Bell; the homes of Betsy Ross and Edgar Allen Poe; and educational institutions including La Salle University, Thomas Jefferson University, and the University of Pennsylvania.

21.    Hermitage

Photo credit: Flickr user/Murat Tanyel

Hermitage is situated in Mercer County and has a population of more than 16,200. Hermitage was settled in 1796 and spans 29.6 square miles. The city was originally named Hickory, but by popular vote was changed to Hermitage effective January 1976. Hermitage was struck by the F5 tornado mentioned earlier as the strongest tornado to ever hit the state, which killed 18 residents of the city and injured another 310.

22.    Erie

Photo credit: Flickr user/uniquelycat Cathy Smith

Erie is named after the lake upon which it is located and the Native Americans that originally resided there. The city is the home of National Natural Landmark, Presque Isle State Park, which provides recreational activities year-round such as hiking, boating, and biking in the summer and ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and ice skating in the winter. Erie is located in the heart of Erie County and has more than 101,700 residents.

23.    Lebanon

Photo credit: Flickr user/Jon Dawson

Lebanon is positioned in Lebanon County with more than 25,400 residents. Lebanon – along with numerous other cities throughout the state – doesn’t buy into the normalcy of dropping a ball at New Year’s Eve festivities. Rather, the city drops a 150-pound hunk of Lebanon bologna and donates it to a local mission center after the event. This simple act allows Lebanon to keep its unique character and give back to its residents.

24.    Scranton

Photo credit: Flickr user/Peter Van den Bossche

Scranton – found in Lackawanna County – has a population of more than 76,000. Just hearing the city’s name may trigger the theme song of the show The Office playing in your head as Scranton is the location of the fictional paper company, Dunder Mifflin. Scranton is called the Electric City because the countrys first electric-powered streetcars began operating in the city in 1886.

25.    Hampden

Photo credit: Flickr user/Alison Lhommedieu

The final addition to our list of the most dangerous cities in Pennsylvania for severe weather is Hampden. Hampden is situated among 17.9 square miles of Cumberland County and provides a home for more than 28,000 residents. Hampden is the home of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections headquarters and the Johannes Eberly House, a historic home that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Whether you live in one of these 25 cities or not, it’s crucial to know the ins and outs of Pennsylvania home insurance in case your home is subjected to damage from severe weather.

For example, if a portion of your roof is torn off in a wind storm such as a tornado, your home insurance policy likely would cover the necessary repairs, up to your policy’s limits. However, if your home gets flooded during a severe thunderstorm, you likely won’t get any help correcting the damage unless you have a separate flood insurance policy.

Be aware of the threats that loom over your area of residence and know if you’d be covered by your home insurance in case disaster does strike. Discuss various situations with a licensed agent and adjust your policy to grant you peace of mind that your home, possessions, family, and finances will be protected no matter what situation may arise.

Following is a listing of the cities we studied, ranked from the most dangerous to the safest:

Methodology:

Flood, Wind, Lightning and Hail scores are out of a possible 50 points where 0 is the best and 50 is the worst score.  For the flood, wind, lightning and hail scores, HomeownersInsurance.com analysts reviewed all individual storm events identified by the NOAA Storm Events Database from 1965 to October 2014 and weighted scores as follows: # of storm event occurrences (30%), # of direct storm event related deaths (30%), # of direct storm event related injuries (25%) and # of direct storm related incidents of property damage (15%).

The flood score includes incidents of floods and flash floods. The wind score includes incidents of high wind, strong wind, thunderstorm wind and tornados. For data sources only available on a county level, cites were assigned points based on the information for the county in which the city is predominantly located. Analysts considered Pennsylvania cities (including townships, boroughs and other municipality types) with populations of 10,000.

Photo credit for preview image: Flickr user/Nicholas A. Tonelli

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Insurance Online : Pennsylvania’s Most Dangerous Cities for Severe Weather

Pennsylvania’s only F5 tornado was recorded in May 1985 during what is now referred to as the Barrie tornado outbreak, which swept three states and Ontario, Canada. The outbreak killed 65 Pennsylvanians, and throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, the outbreak caused $600 million worth of damage.

With the intensity of such a tornado outbreak in mind, HomeInsurance.com decided to investigate which cities in Pennsylvania are the most dangerous in terms of severe weather such as wind, hail, lightning, and flooding. Here are the findings:

1.     Hempfield

Photo credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Topping the list of the most dangerous Pennsylvania cities is Hempfield – named for the hemp fields in the surrounding areas. The township is located among 76.8 square miles of Westmoreland County, and with more than 43,200 residents, it’s the largest Pittsburgh suburb. Because the township surrounds the city of Greensburg, Hempfield is home to the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg and the Greensburg campus of Carlow University.

2.     Tredyffrin

Photo credit: Tredyffrin Township

Tredyffrin is a township in Chester County – home to more than 29,300 Pennsylvanians. The city was originally a portion of the state set aside by William Penn for the Welsh to settle in, which is how the township got its name – ‘tref ‘meaning town, and ‘dyffryn’ meaning valley in Welsh. The township was incorporated in 1707 and is home to 14 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.

3.     Reading

Photo credit: Flickr user/Chris Favero

Reading, positioned halfway between Harrisburg and Philadelphia along a major transportation route, is home to the now inoperative Reading Railroad – one of four railroad properties featured in the board game Monopoly. The city also has popular attractions such as The Pagoda, the Reading Glove and Mitten Manufacturing Co., and the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower. Reading has a population of 88,082 and is situated in Berks County.

4.     Bensalem

Photo credit: Flickr user/Jack Boucher

Occupying 21 square miles of southern Bucks County, Bensalem was founded in 1682. The township is the location of the Parx Casino and Racetrack – a horse racing track that is one mile in length – which also was the filming site of portions of the movie Safe, starring Jason Statham. The township is home to 60,427 Pennsylvanians and is the largest municipality in the county.

5.     Lower Merion

Photo credit: Montgomery County Planning Commission

Rounding out the top five most dangerous cities in Pennsylvania for severe weather is Lower Merion. The township is nestled in Montgomery County and has more than 57,800 residents. Lower Merion was settled in 1682 and is a suburb of Philadelphia. The township is the home of three venues on the National Register of Historic Places – the Mill Creek Historic District, Seville Theatre, and Green Hill Farms – as well as NBA star Kobe Bryant, director M. Night Shyamalan, and singer Teddy Pendergrass.

6.     Pittsburgh

Photo credit: Flickr user/Jon Dawson

With a population of more than 305,700, Pittsburgh is the second-largest city on the list. Located in Allegheny County, Pittsburgh ranks as the sixth most dangerous city in Pennsylvania for severe weather due to having the highest flood, hail, and wind scores of all top 25 cities. Pittsburgh is referred to as the Steel City due to its more than 300 businesses that deal with steel and as the City of Bridges since there are more than 446 located within it. Pittsburgh is home to the Andy Warhol Museum; rapper Wiz Khalifa; and several higher education institutions, such as the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and Duquesne University.

7.     Lancaster

Photo credit: Flickr user/David Wilson

Lancaster is chock full of history and culture. The city is home to 11 venues on the National Register of Historic Places, including Wheatland, the estate of 15^th president, James Buchanan; Fulton Opera House, the oldest continuously run theater in the nation; and Hamilton Watch Complex, which sold the first  battery operated watch. Lancaster is located in Lancaster County and has a population of 59,322.

8.     York

Photo credit: Flickr user/WabbyTwaxx

Nestled among 5.26 square miles of York County, York is home to more than 43,700 residents. The city is often referred to as an architectural museum due to the fact that it has a plethora of well-maintained historic structures in the downtown area such as the Golden Plough Tavern (built in 1741) and the York Central Market (built 1888). York is home to the York Little Theatre and the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center, where performers such as B.B. King and Kenny G. have taken the stage, as well as the historic York Fair, which is believed to be the oldest in the U.S. It has featured artists such as Carrie Underwood and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

9.     Peters

Photo credit: Peters Township

Founded in 1781 as one of Washington County’s 13 original townships, Peters began as a farming community before shifting its focus to the coal industry. The township is home to the Enoch Wright House, a 12-room, two-kitchen home built in 1815 for two families and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. Peters has a population of more than 21,200 and occupies 19.8 square miles of the county.

10.    Bethlehem

Photo credit: Flickr user/Lehigh Valley PA

Bethlehem is situated in Northampton County and has more than 74,900 residents. Bethlehem is widely known for hosting an annual 10-day festival, Musikfest, which brings more than a million visitors to the city. Bethlehem recently opened a 10-acre portion of town called Steel Stacks which allows residents and visitors to see art, movies, music, and festivals year-round. Actors Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Jonathan Taylor Thomas hail from the area, and the city also is home to Lehigh University.

11.    Hopewell

Photo credit: Hopewell Township

With a population of 12,593, Hopewell is the second-smallest city on our list as well as a suburb of Pittsburgh. The Ohio River flows along the eastern border of the township. Hopewell is home to a 97.5-square mile industrial park called RIDC as well as NFL Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett. The township is situated among 17 square miles of Beaver County.

12.    Wilkes-Barre

Photo credit: Flickr user/Brad Clinesmith

Wilkes-Barre is in Luzerne County and has a population of 41,498. Founded in 1769, Wilkes-Barre is positioned between the Pocono Mountains, the Endless Mountains, the Lehigh Valley, and the Susquehanna River. The city is the site of a 1926 exhibition baseball game involving Hughestown and Larksville, during which it’s said that Babe Ruth mustered the strength to hit one of the longest home runs – approximately 650 feet – in baseball history.

13.    Allentown

Photo credit: City of Allentown

Allentown is a significant city in terms of U.S. history. The city was the hiding place of the Liberty Bell during the American Revolution. Allentown is located in Lehigh County along the Lehigh River and has a population of more than 118,000. The city also is significant in reference to the arts as the Allentown Art Museum is the home of one of three of Leonardo Da Vinci’s horse sculptures.

14.    Meadville

Photo credit: Flickr user/exithacan

Meadville – founded in 1788 – was the first permanent settlement in the northwest portion of the state. The city is home to eight venues on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Meadville Downtown Historic District, along with liberal arts school, Allegheny College. Meadville is in Crawford County at the confluence of French Creek and Cussewago Creek and is home to more than 13,300 Pennsylvanians.

15.    Oil City

Photo credit: Oil City

With 10,557 residents, Oil City is the smallest dangerous city for severe weather in Pennsylvania. The city is nestled in Venango County at the confluence of the Allegheny River and Oil Creek.  Oil City became a pivotal city in the 1850s when oil wells began being dug and aiding in the rising petroleum industry. The city became home to big motor oil corporations such as Wolf’s Head, Pennzoil, and Quaker State.

16.    Upper Darby

Photo credit: Flickr user/Ninian Reid

Upper Darby is a township that was founded in 1655 and functions as a suburb of Philadelphia. Widely known attractions of Upper Darby include the Lower Swedish Cabin – thought to be the oldest building in the state and one of the oldest log cabins in the country – and famous music venue, Tower Theater. The township is the hometown of several famous individuals such as Jim Croce, Jamie Kennedy, and Tina Fey. Upper Darby is located in Delaware County and has a population of 82,795.

17.    Coolbaugh

Photo credit: Flickr user/Nicholas Tonelli

 

Coolbaugh is home to more than 20,500 residents and is tucked away in Monroe County. Coolbaugh occupies 88 square miles and is the location of Tobyhanna State Park, where residents enjoy lying on the beach, fishing, canoeing, hiking, camping, and having picnics when weather permits.

18.    North Union

Photo credit: North Union

North Union is found in Fayette County and has a population of more than 12,700. The township was formed in 1851, and its northern portion is where the French and Indian War sparked nearly a century before its formation. The township is home to Penn State Fayette, which is a satellite campus of the Big Ten institution.

19.    Cranberry

Photo credit: Cranberry Township

Cranberry is a township that’s growing at one of the most rapid paces throughout the country in terms of population and business. Its location is largely attributed to the growth – it’s an intersection for Interstates 79 and 76, Pennsylvania Route 228, and U.S. Route 19, making the township reachable from just about every direction. Situated among 22.8 square miles of Butler County, Cranberry is home to more than 28,000 Pennsylvanians.

20.    Philadelphia

Photo credit: Flickr user/Kathryn Yengel

Closing out the top 20 most dangerous cities for severe weather in Pennsylvania is Philadelphia. With a population of more than 1.5 million, Philly is the largest city on the list. It’s nestled in Philadelphia County and was founded in 1682 at the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. Philadelphia is one of the most historically significant cities in the country as it was the meeting location for the Founding Fathers, as well as where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution came to fruition. Philadelphia is the home of the Liberty Bell; the homes of Betsy Ross and Edgar Allen Poe; and educational institutions including La Salle University, Thomas Jefferson University, and the University of Pennsylvania.

21.    Hermitage

Photo credit: Flickr user/Murat Tanyel

Hermitage is situated in Mercer County and has a population of more than 16,200. Hermitage was settled in 1796 and spans 29.6 square miles. The city was originally named Hickory, but by popular vote was changed to Hermitage effective January 1976. Hermitage was struck by the F5 tornado mentioned earlier as the strongest tornado to ever hit the state, which killed 18 residents of the city and injured another 310.

22.    Erie

Photo credit: Flickr user/uniquelycat Cathy Smith

Erie is named after the lake upon which it is located and the Native Americans that originally resided there. The city is the home of National Natural Landmark, Presque Isle State Park, which provides recreational activities year-round such as hiking, boating, and biking in the summer and ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and ice skating in the winter. Erie is located in the heart of Erie County and has more than 101,700 residents.

23.    Lebanon

Photo credit: Flickr user/Jon Dawson

Lebanon is positioned in Lebanon County with more than 25,400 residents. Lebanon – along with numerous other cities throughout the state – doesn’t buy into the normalcy of dropping a ball at New Year’s Eve festivities. Rather, the city drops a 150-pound hunk of Lebanon bologna and donates it to a local mission center after the event. This simple act allows Lebanon to keep its unique character and give back to its residents.

24.    Scranton

Photo credit: Flickr user/Peter Van den Bossche

Scranton – found in Lackawanna County – has a population of more than 76,000. Just hearing the city’s name may trigger the theme song of the show The Office playing in your head as Scranton is the location of the fictional paper company, Dunder Mifflin. Scranton is called the Electric City because the countrys first electric-powered streetcars began operating in the city in 1886.

25.    Hampden

Photo credit: Flickr user/Alison Lhommedieu

The final addition to our list of the most dangerous cities in Pennsylvania for severe weather is Hampden. Hampden is situated among 17.9 square miles of Cumberland County and provides a home for more than 28,000 residents. Hampden is the home of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections headquarters and the Johannes Eberly House, a historic home that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Whether you live in one of these 25 cities or not, it’s crucial to know the ins and outs of Pennsylvania home insurance in case your home is subjected to damage from severe weather.

For example, if a portion of your roof is torn off in a wind storm such as a tornado, your home insurance policy likely would cover the necessary repairs, up to your policy’s limits. However, if your home gets flooded during a severe thunderstorm, you likely won’t get any help correcting the damage unless you have a separate flood insurance policy.

Be aware of the threats that loom over your area of residence and know if you’d be covered by your home insurance in case disaster does strike. Discuss various situations with a licensed agent and adjust your policy to grant you peace of mind that your home, possessions, family, and finances will be protected no matter what situation may arise.

Following is a listing of the cities we studied, ranked from the most dangerous to the safest:

Methodology:

Flood, Wind, Lightning and Hail scores are out of a possible 50 points where 0 is the best and 50 is the worst score.  For the flood, wind, lightning and hail scores, HomeownersInsurance.com analysts reviewed all individual storm events identified by the NOAA Storm Events Database from 1965 to October 2014 and weighted scores as follows: # of storm event occurrences (30%), # of direct storm event related deaths (30%), # of direct storm event related injuries (25%) and # of direct storm related incidents of property damage (15%).

The flood score includes incidents of floods and flash floods. The wind score includes incidents of high wind, strong wind, thunderstorm wind and tornados. For data sources only available on a county level, cites were assigned points based on the information for the county in which the city is predominantly located. Analysts considered Pennsylvania cities (including townships, boroughs and other municipality types) with populations of 10,000.

Photo credit for preview image: Flickr user/Nicholas A. Tonelli

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