While Florida only experienced one hurricane making landfall last year, 2024 is predicted to be an above-average year for named storms and major hurricanes. While you might think you have plenty of time to prepare, hurricane season begins in less than a month. It's important to review your hurricane preparedness tasks and procedures before you find yourself looking into the eye of the storm.
Review Your Policy
Reviewing your insurance information can help you decide if you need to increase your coverage, make some changes, or add on additional policies. Is your policy enough to cover a rebuild of your home? What are your limits and deductibles? Does it specifically list if hurricanes are covered? What is the coverage on your policy? Reviewing your policy, particularly with your insurane agent, can help you find answers to these important questions.
Document Your Home and Personal Belongings
In the event you need to file a claim, having pre-storm pictures can help you when filing a claim and rebuilding or repairing your home. Be sure to upload your pictures to a cloud or save them on an external drive in case your computer or phone is damaged in the storm.
Consider Adding Flood Insurance
Typically, your base homeowners insurance policy is not going to include flood insurance. Depending on where you live and your proximity to a body of water, adding flood insurance can help you protect your valuables and home in the event of a flood.
Double-check Your Car Insurance
In the event that a tree limb falls on your car or is hit with debris during a hurricane, you'll want to make sure you have comprehensive coverage for the value of your vehicle. While it'll be helpful in the event of inclement weather, comprehensive coverage also provides coverage against theft or vandalism.
Protect Important Documents
Gather important documents such as insurance, financial, medical, legal, and personal documents and store them in a secure place. Keep a waterproof container handy in the event of a storm for safekeeping and to protect your important information from the elements.
Develop an Emergency Plan
The last thing you want is to be caught off-guard. Having conversations with your family members regarding what you'll do in the event of a hurricane is of vital importance, regardless of where you live in Florida. Knowing where to find the nearest shelters, your fastest evacuation route, and what items to bring with you will allow you to leave quicker and safer.
Gather "Hurricane Kit" Items
Before bread and bottled water start flying off the shelves, plan now to gather what you need for several days in the event of an emergency situation. Purchasing bottles of water, non-perishable food, flashlights, first aid items, and more can all help you prepare now before the stores are packed and items are scarce. Visit Ready.gov for a kit checklist.