Is Your Home Insurance Ready For Hurricane Season?

The hurricane season is from early June to late November, with most hurricanes landing in August and September. And while storms do form in the Pacific, they have never impacted the West Coast of the United States. The same cannot be said for the Atlantic Coast. States such as Florida, Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina, and North Carolina are among the most prone to hurricanes, with Florida experiencing nearly twice as many landfalls as its neighbors.

It would help if you did not wait until a hurricane is imminent before ensuring that your home is adequately protected. If a storm watch is in effect, insurers will not permit policyholders to add the necessary supplemental coverage to their policies.

It is essential to assess your home's risk of exposure to hurricanes and tropical storms and examine your home's insurance policy for gaps. If you require additional insurance, you should purchase it well in advance of Hurricane Season and before the first hurricane warning.

Examine Your Policy

The great news is that most homeowners' insurance plans automatically cover a portion of the losses caused by a hurricane or tropical storm, but this is not always the case. It is, therefore, essential to evaluate your coverage with as little bias as possible. If you reside in a high-risk area with hurricanes and tropical storms, you may wish to add wind damage coverage to your existing policy. Even with additional wind damage coverage, you may not be fully protected from a hurricane's potentially devastating effects.

Your homeowner's insurance coverage should never be "set it and forget it," and your insurer should always encourage you to be proactive in protecting your house.

Consider Your Protection

Determine the sorts of coverages you may need to add to your policy to be fully protected in the case of a storm after thoroughly examining your current policy.

Replacement Cost - pays to restore or replace your home and valuables if certain risks damage them.

Flood Insurance - provides financial protection for your home's structure and personal belongings if floodwaters destroy them.

Windstorm Insurance – covers your home, possessions, and extra structures from excessive wind damage.

Water Backup Coverage – covers property and structures damaged by water backup.

Loss of Use Coverage – gives monetary aid if your house becomes uninhabitable.

Service Lines Coverage - shields you from having to pay for damage to your utility lines.

Hurricane Deductibles - a different deductible indicated as an additional proportion of your home's insured value and property risk.

Again, preparing ahead and having protection in place before the wind begins to blow are crucial. You should carry the necessary insurance coverage in a region prone to natural disasters. You may need to shop around and check how other insurance covers severe storm damage in your area.