6 Steps to Prep for a Hurricane and Protect Your Home

Hurricanes are a serious threat along the eastern and southern coasts of the U.S., and even several hundred miles inland.

Each year, an average of 10 tropical storms develop over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. While many of these won't strengthen, an average of six of these storms become hurricanes. About five hurricanes strike the U.S. Coastline every three years, on average. 

Hurricanes and tropical storms frequently produce widespread torrential rains, leading to deadly and destructive floods. Meanwhile, hurricane-force winds can destroy buildings and devastate mobile homes. Winds from hurricanes often create projectiles out of outdoor items and debris, creating significant property damage and grave danger for anyone caught outside. What’s more, hurricanes and tropical storms can spawn dangerous tornadoes that pose additional dangers. 

Preparing your property for these dangers is of utmost importance for every homeowner in the path of hurricanes. What's more, you need proper homeowners insurance coverage to make sure you can recover from any damage that occurs. 

An independent insurance agent can help you get the coverage you need to prepare for and recover from hurricanes.

Step 1: Review Your Insurance Coverage

All the planning in the world won't prevent the hurricane from happening. That's why, in addition to all of the recommended disaster preparation tactics, you need to have sufficient insurance coverage to help you recover when the worst happens. 

Long before a hurricane is forecasted, all homeowners and renters should talk with an independent insurance agent and review their existing coverage. Since there can often be a waiting period for new or updated coverage to take effect, you'll need to get your insurance ducks in a row well before hurricane season. In most cases, homeowners in hurricane-prone areas need to make sure they have enough homeowners insurance and flood insurance to be sufficiently covered for hurricane damage.

What insurance policies cover hurricane damage? 

You'll need a combination of policies to cover both wind and water damage. 

• Homeowners insurance: Standard home insurance includes coverage for wind damage to your property, including winds caused by hurricanes.
• Flood insurance: Home insurance does not provide coverage for natural sources of flooding, such as the heavy rainfall that accompanies hurricanes. To protect your home against flood damage caused by a hurricane, you'll need to add a separate flood insurance policy.

When working with your agent, make sure to discuss your policy limits, deductibles, and the effective date of your policies. 

• Your policy limits: Ask your agent to help you review your homeowners insurance and flood insurance coverage limits, making sure your coverage is sufficient to reimburse you as fully as possible.
• Your deductibles: Your agent can help you review your deductibles. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, your homeowners insurance may include a hurricane deductible or a wind deductible. A hurricane deductible is separate from your primary home insurance deductible, and is a percentage of your home’s insured value, rather than a pre-determined flat dollar figure. Hurricane or windstorm deductibles apply only when your home has been damaged by a designated event. 
• Your policy's effective date: It can take 30-90 days for a new homeowners insurance policy's coverage to go into effect. Flood insurance policies often take 30 days to be effective. That's why it's helpful to look into your coverage long before a hurricane shows up in the forecast.

Having strong coverage in place to protect your property should always be the first step in hurricane and other natural disaster prep.

Step 2: Create a Home Inventory

Preparing a home inventory before a hurricane might seem like a huge undertaking, but it's the best thing to do to ensure you are properly reimbursed for your belongings if you have a loss. If you have a home inventory, you will be able to verify your losses for tax purposes, and your claim will likely be settled faster with less red tape. 

You can put together your inventory on your own, or you can hire a professional or use specialty software. You can also create a handwritten list or a spreadsheet on your computer. Many insurance companies offer software or apps that help with inventory preparation. 

As you prepare your inventory, think of the information you will need if you have to file a claim with your insurance company. The goal is to speed up the claims process and provide complete information so that you can be properly reimbursed. 

When your inventory is completed, make several copies and be sure to keep at least one set away from your home in a secure location. Remember to update your inventory every year before hurricane season. 

Step 3: Secure Your Belongings

Hurricanes can cause a variety of different types of damage to your home. The most common damages to your home from a hurricane or tropical storm are caused by:

• Wind 
• Heavy rainfall
• Flooding
• Storm surge
• Tornadoes
• Sewer backup 

To prevent or minimize the damage, secure your belongings by:

• Bringing outdoor furniture and loose objects indoors
• Securing windows, shutters, and doors
• Clearing outdoor drains and gutters
• Trimming trees and shrubs away from the home
• Setting your fridge and freezer to their coldest settings
• Grabbing a stash of extra batteries to keep nearby

Following these tips can help you minimize possible property damage during the hurricane. 

Step 4: Gather Vital Documents

Your important paperwork should be kept in a waterproof and fireproof safe that's kept in a secure location in your home, no matter what season it is. That way, you'll never have to worry about losing critical documents like birth certificates, Social Security cards, etc. 

Other documents that you should keep safe include: 

• Pet and family medical and dental records
• Passports
• Marriage certificates
• Insurance documents
• Home and property deeds

If you must evacuate for a storm, be sure to take these important documents with you. Be aware of all of your home insurance details, such as coverage limits and deductibles, and whether you have replacement cost or actual cash value coverage. It is a good idea to know if your home insurance provides coverage for “additional living expenses” in case you are forced to live somewhere other than your home if it is damaged in a storm. 

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Step 5: Have a Plan

Your family needs to have a plan in place in case a hurricane does strike your area. This includes informing all members of where the emergency kit is located and two possible methods to evacuate the home and city. Make sure everyone agrees on a course of action if you get separated, too.

You may want to designate one family member to get in touch with an emergency contact, such as another family member who lives out of town. Make arrangements to contact them to let them know when you're all safe. Set a designated spot for your family to meet up if you get separated during an evacuation.

Step 6: Make an Emergency Kit

Prepare an emergency kit with essential supplies, including a 10-day supply of food, water, and medicine for every member of the family. Store the emergency items in airtight plastic bags and put the entire kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.

According to ready.gov, you can include the following items in your emergency kit:

• Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)
• Food (at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Whistle (to signal for help)
• Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
• Plastic sheeting, scissors, and duct tape (to shelter in place)
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
• Manual can opener (for food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Consider including soap, hand sanitizer, or disinfecting wipes; prescription and non-prescription medications; eyeglasses and contact lenses; diapers and infant formula; pet food; cash; blankets; change of clothing; feminine supplies; matches; and paper or plastic plates and cutlery.

How Can an Independent Insurance Agent Help You Prepare Your Home For a Hurricane?

Reviewing your homeowners insurance is something you should do every year with the help of an independent insurance agent. If you live in a hurricane zone, it is even more important to know what is covered, what is not, and what you need to do to ensure your claims are handled properly. An agent can help you with all areas of your home insurance and flood insurance. 

Independent insurance agents simplify the process by shopping and comparing insurance quotes for you. Not only that, but they’ll also cut through the jargon and clarify the fine print so you'll know exactly what you’re getting.

Independent insurance agents also have access to multiple insurance companies, ultimately finding you the best insurance coverage, accessibility, and competitive pricing while working for you.