Orangeburg Hurricane Insurance

(Everything you need to know - and more)

Written by Meg Stefanac
Written by Meg Stefanac

Financial blogger and business owner, Meg Stefanac, has more than 15 years experience working in the financial services industry and enjoys helping individuals make solid financial decisions. Meg has extensive experience writing about insurance and finances and is a key contributor to TrustedChoice.com.

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Hurricane Insurance

Though it's about 75 miles from the coast, the city of Orangeburg, SC is susceptible to damage caused by hurricanes and tropical storms. These powerful storms can bring high winds, torrential downpours, floods and even tornadoes. It is therefore important that your property be fully covered by the right kinds of hurricane insurance.

Local independent insurance agents are familiar with the hurricane risks Orangeburg. They can help you review your current policies to check whether you have sufficient coverage against these storms. If you don't, these agents can work with several different insurance companies to help you find the best and most affordable coverage. Find an insurance agent near you to get started.

What Is Orangeburg Hurricane Insurance?

Hurricane insurance is not a stand-alone policy. Most Orangeburg residents can get coverage against hurricane damage through the policies they already have. Sometimes obtaining all the coverage you need requires you to purchase special riders or endorsements, so it is important that you understand what your current policies do and do not cover. Read on to learn more about what to look for in your various insurance policies, or talk to a local independent agent for assistance.

Make Sure You Have Hurricane Insurance for Your Orangeburg Home

The first thing most people think about when they hear a hurricane is headed toward them is keeping their family safe. The second thing they think about is protecting their personal property. Since most of your property is in your home, you will want to be sure that whatever type of home insurance policy you have, it includes sufficient coverage against hurricane damage.

Homeowners Insurance

If you have a homeowners insurance policy in Orangeburg, hurricane damage may or may not be included as part of your policy’s standard coverage. Some insurers offer lower prices by excluding this coverage unless an additional rider is purchased. Hurricane damage can prove expensive. It is therefore essential that you make sure that your policy includes this coverage.

Your homeowners hurricane insurance can cover:

  • Structural damage: If high winds damage your roof, siding, windows, or exterior structures like sheds and detached garages, your homeowners insurance dwelling coverage can provide reimbursement for repair costs.
  • Property damage: If your personal belongings are damaged as a result of a hurricane, your homeowners insurance contents coverage can cover the cost to repair or replace them.
  • Temporary housing: If your home is rendered uninhabitable after a storm passes through, your policy can cover the cost of temporary housing and miscellaneous expenses until you can complete repairs and return home.

It is important for you to be aware that flood damage is not covered by homeowners insurance, even if the flood is the direct result of a covered hurricane. It is therefore important that you also carry a flood insurance policy. Flood insurance enables homeowners to purchase up to $250,000 in structural coverage and $100,000 in contents coverage at an affordable price. Flood insurance takes 30 days to go into effect, so don't wait until a hurricane is slated to make landfall to purchase a policy.

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Condo Insurance

If you live in a condominium or townhouse, part of the money you pay toward your HOA fees goes toward your condo association’s master insurance policy. This policy covers damage to the structure of your building as well as to common areas. Your condo insurance only needs to provide walls-in coverage for your unit.

Your condo insurance can protect you against losses related to hurricane damage by covering:

  • Property damage: If a window inyour unit blows in and rain damages your property, your condo insurance can cover the damage.
  • Temporary housing: If your condo is uninhabitable after a storm passes through, your policy can cover the cost of temporary housing and miscellaneous expenses until your unit has been repaired.

Hurricanes often cause widespread flooding, but flood damage is not covered by condo insurance. If your condominium is on a low floor or is otherwise at risk for flood damage, be sure to talk to your insurance agent about flood insurance. Your agent can help you obtain up to $100,000 in contents-only flood insurance.

Renters Insurance

As a renter, you don't need to worry about covering the structure of your home. Your landlord has that responsibility. However, if the roof is blown off or a window breaks and rainwater destroys your personal belongings, your renters insurance will cover the cost to repair or replace it. Renters insurance will also cover the cost of temporary housing if a hurricane renders your apartment uninhabitable.

As with home and condo insurance, renters insurance will not cover flood damage caused by rising waters. Therefore, if your apartment is on a low floor or is otherwise at risk for flood damage, talk to your insurance agent about supplementing your renters insurance with up to $100,000 in contents-only flood insurance.

Cover Your Vehicle against Hurricane Damage with the Right Insurance

Vehicles aren’t cheap. If you own a car or truck in Orangeburg, you will want to be sure it is covered against hurricane damage. From falling trees to flood waters, there are many ways that these storms can significantly damage or even destroy area vehicles. The only way you can be compensated for hurricane damage to your vehicle is if your car insurance includes comprehensive coverage. This coverage is optional by law but is often required by lenders if you have financed the purchase of your vehicle. It is designed to cover non-collision damage, including hurricanes and floods.

If your vehicle is newer and you are still making payments on it, you may also want to consider gap insurance. This insurance is designed to bridge the gap between what you currently owe on your vehicle and what it is worth. That way, if your new car is totaled by a hurricane, you won't have to worry about still owning money on it even after your insurance has paid out for your loss.

Protect Your Orangeburg Business with Hurricane Insurance

If you own a business in Orangeburg, you probably have business insurance. Business insurance can protect your company from losses related to hurricane damage by covering:

  • Property damage:  Your business policy will include commercial property insurance, which can cover your business assets. Your local insurance agent can help you ensure that windstorms and hurricanes are not excluded from your coverage. Adding inland marine insurance can cover your business property if it is damaged by a hurricane while in transit or at a job site.
  • Temporary closure: If a hurricane forces your business to remain closed for an extended period, business interruption insurance can ensure that your company has a continuation of income. That way, you can easily afford to continue to pay normal expenses like bills and salaries until you are able to resume normal business operations.

Although business insurance will cover hurricane damage, it will not cover flood damage. Fortunately, your local independent insurance agent can help you add a commercial flood insurance policy to your business insurance portfolio. Commercial flood insurance allows business owners to purchase up to $500,000 in structural coverage and $500,000 in contents coverage at an affordable price.

Let a local independent insurance agent review your current business insurance coverage with you. That way, you can be sure that your policy package doesn't include any unintentional coverage gaps, particularly when it comes to hurricane damage. Your agent may even be able to find you better coverage at a more competitive price.

Why Work with an Independent Agent in Orangeburg, SC?

Independent insurance agents make it easy to be certain that all of your insurance policies provide you with sufficient coverage against hurricane damage. These agents can answer your insurance-related questions and can provide trustworthy advice while reviewing your current policies.

Because they can work with several different insurance companies, independent agents may even be able to find you more comprehensive coverage at a lower price. If you would like to learn more about covering your property with appropriate hurricane insurance policies, contact an insurance agent with an office in or near Orangeburg.

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