Storm season’s here: Advice from Kansas Insurance Commissioner Schmidt | Opinion

As Insurance Commissioner, the department staff and I have deployed to disasters all over the state.

In these situations, we see people on their worst days and encounter circumstances I hope most Kansans never have to experience.

One situation I will never forget was after the Andover tornado, when a man whose entire home had been destroyed was struggling to breathe.

Somewhere amidst the rubble, his oxygen tank was buried, and he did not have a backup. He had reached out to the medical supply company several times but was getting the runaround.

I picked up the phone and started making calls. While I received the same answers from the supplier, I was unwilling to accept that nothing could be done to help this man. I connected with a Red Cross volunteer who went to pick up the tank, and we were able to deliver this vital resource to help him begin breathing easier.

This situation taught me and our department staff to be ready for the unexpected, and that when severe weather turns lives upside down, sometimes the most meaningful help we can offer is to simply step up.

My hope is that by preparing ahead of time, each and every Kansan will be equipped to weather severe storms and the aftermath in better circumstances.

As we all know, Kansas weather can be unpredictable. This year alone, we have experienced blizzards, thunderstorms, wildfires, and tornadoes — some within the same month!

So if you have not already begun preparing for storm season, here are five things you can do right now to get ready:

— Review your insurance policy with your agent to make sure you understand your current coverage and have appropriate coverage.

— Consider if you need flood insurance, as standard homeowners’ insurance, renters’ insurance and dwelling policies do not cover damage from floods.

— Establish an emergency plan to stay safe and informed. Be sure to practice your plan, so everyone in your home knows what to do when storms come.

— Create a home inventory list, or update your existing list with any recent changes. Access a free digital list building tool on the Insurance Department website: www.insurance.kansas.gov.

— Protect your home from damage before storms arrive. Check your roof and gutters, clear tree limbs and debris away from your house, and put away loose items like lawn furniture that could cause damage to your home.

The devastation following storms is always heartbreaking, but even amid great loss, I am continually inspired by the Kansas communities that come together to help each other pick up the pieces.

It makes me fiercely proud to be a Kansan and honored to work for you.

If you have an issue with an insurance claim, I want to hear from you.

Contact the department’s Consumer Assistance Division at 785-296-3071, by email at kdoi.complaints@ks.gov or online at insurance.kansas.gov, for any claims-related questions or concerns.

We have real live people answering the phones, and we are here to assist.

Stay safe and be ready, Kansas.

— Vicki Schmidt is the Kansas State Insurance Commissioner.

This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 4:50 AM with the headline "Storm season’s here: Advice from Kansas Insurance Commissioner Schmidt | Opinion."