Safety, Insurance and Preparedness Tips for Hurricane Season
Safety, Insurance and Preparedness Tips for Hurricane Season
June through November is the hurricane season for most areas, and it usually comes with a peak at some point. In most cases, this is in August or September. While people who live in coastal areas face the greatest risks, it is important to remember that tropical storms can travel inland and cause a great deal of destruction with wind and flooding. Planning ahead and preparing is the key to avoiding huge expenses and dangers.
Review Insurance Coverage
Pay attention to policy limitations, and be sure any commercial or homeowners property insurance is still in effect. Verify that it will cover the complete replacement cost of the property in the event of a disaster. If there are limitations, be aware of them. Some people may want to consider purchasing additional riders or an umbrella policy. When any improvements are made to a home or other property structures, be sure to notify an agent to update values. Updating is always important, and remember that property values often increase over time regardless of improvements.
Verify that the policy covers windstorms.
Policies for people residing in certain areas may not include this type of coverage. There are separate policies that can be purchased to fill this gap. Also, consider buying flood insurance. This is available from the National Flood Insurance Program. It is not available anywhere else, and a homeowners policy does not cover flooding. While they do cover water damage, there is a great difference between the two. Water damage is due to problems inside or around the home such as burst pipes or leaks. Flood damage occurs when there are storms with flash floods or rising water around rivers and lakes. Keep in mind there is a month-long waiting period in effect after purchasing a policy from the NFIP, so buy it as soon as possible.
Make an inventory of all items in the home.
Email it to a personal email address for safe keeping, keep a copy on the computer and on a flash drive or removable storage. Also, be sure an agent receives a copy. It also helps to take photos or a video of the home's rooms and exterior to show the items that are there. Keep this file with the inventory in each storage place.
For auto insurance, be sure liability coverage meets state minimums. This will cover damage or injuries caused to other vehicles and individuals. It will not cover damage to the policyholder's vehicle. To obtain this form of coverage, ask an agent about comprehensive insurance. There are also other forms of coverage for hail damage, fires, flooding and theft.
Develop A Safety Plan
If a hurricane or tropical storm is threatening the area, a person will have to decide whether to evacuate or stay. Always evacuate when local authorities recommend it. Their advice should be taken seriously, because it is based on the storm's potential for destruction and its current strength. Also, follow these steps:
- Create a map of routes inland or to safe areas, and be aware of water crossing points.
- Locate and map local shelters.
- Have survival supplies such as food, water, batteries and radios available.
- Make sure there is an emergency communication system for family members.
- Designate meeting places for friends, neighbors or family ahead of time.
- Make sure doors and windows that are made of glass have shutters or plywood over them.
- Trim dead branches that hang over trees or touch the property's structures.
- Put vehicles in a garage or other covered and safe place.
- Keep valuables away from windows and doors.
- Keep pets indoors.
- Lock and secure the home if leaving.
- When evacuating, take valuables and important documents along.
Hurricanes and tropical storms can leave families devastated and belongings destroyed if people are not prepared. The three main things to remember are to secure the property to make it safe, review coverage before every hurricane season and plan ahead. To learn more about insurance and additional coverage options that a homeowners or commercial policy excludes, discuss concerns with an agent.