Tips For Homeowners During Hurricane Season

Property Casualty Insurers Association of America has these tips for homeowners facing getting ready for Hurricane Season and making sure their coverage is the best they can afford:

PCI wants to help residents in hurricane-prone states make preparations for the threat of devastating storms.

It is easy to underestimate the risk, but the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting a very active storm season with three to seven major hurricanes, which means homeowners, businesses and public policymakers should take the necessary steps to ensure that everyone is prepared.

The following tips and brochures will help consumers reduce exposure to losses and make certain homeowners have adequate insurance coverage to recover from the economic damage after a catastrophic event. Click 'Read More' for these tips.

1. Review your property insurance policy, especially the declarations page, which summarizes the coverage you have purchased.
2. Talk with your agent/insurer to make sure you have the right policies with adequate limits. Your agent or insurance company can assist you in determining the type of policies you should have and the correct limits of coverage.
3. Get flood insurance. Inland flooding can occur as far as 500 miles from the site of a hurricane. Flooding is not covered in standard homeowner insurance policies. However, it may be purchased through insurance agents from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA).
4. Make sure you know the amount of your deductible. The deductible is the amount of loss that the homeowner must pay. It may be based on the value of your home or a fixed dollar amount.
5. Purchase insurance well in advance of a storm. Most insurers will not offer insurance after a hurricane watch or warning has been issued. THE NFIP also has a 30-day waiting period before the policy is effective. 
6. Inventory household items now to speed up claims processing after the storm.
7. Store important documents where they will stay safe and dry.
8. Develop an emergency plan before the emergency. Determine escape routes, establish a meeting place, stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a disaster supply kit with enough food and water for three to seven days. When severe weather is approaching your area, listen carefully to local authorities and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself, your family, and your property.
9. Perform routine home maintenance now to avoid major repairs later. Mitigation is a critical component in reducing the amount of damage that may occur when a hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall.
10. Don’t make your house a target for debris. Protect your property by covering all windows with plywood or shutters, moving vehicles into the garage when possible and placing grills and patio furniture indoors.