Homeowners Insurance Quote | We are approaching the heart of Hurricane season. From flood water intrusion to wind damage, your home could be exposed if a storm makes landfall in your area. How well you maintain and prep your home can mean a significant difference in how it fares if Mother Nature chooses to be unkind this hurricane season.
The following are ways to prep your home for hurricane season:
Take an Inventory of Your Personal Property
It’s hard to know how much insurance you truly need if you don’t know what you have. Creating an itemized list, complete with pictures of your belongings, will give you a solid estimate of the cost to replace damaged items in your home. If you already have an inventory, you may want to take note of anything you’ve purchased since you made your last list.
A detailed inventory can also help to speed up the claims process should you have to file a flood insurance claim or homeowners insurance claim. The more documentation you have, especially as it pertains to serial numbers and receipts, the easier it will be to report damage and faster it will be to get your claim resolved.
Review Your Insurance Policies
What will it cost to repair or rebuild your home? Now that you have completed a home inventory, you should review your homeowners and flood insurance policies to make sure you have enough coverage if your home needs to be rebuilt from the ground up. Be sure you understand your policy’s limitations for flood and wind damage.
It’s important to note that your homeowners policy does not cover flood. You will need a separate flood insurance policy to protect your home from flood damage. You may want to consider adding additional coverage for any high dollar valuables, or additional dwellings, like a pool house.
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Make Your Yard Safe
Your yard can be one of the most dangerous places to be during a hurricane or high wind event. You should regularly check your property for loose branches that could become projectiles during a hurricane. Have a professional tree service inspect the trees on your property for dead or hanging limbs and branches. If a storm is forecast, make sure to secure potential projectiles in your yard (garden gnomes, chairs, lawn ornaments and more) to avoid damage to your home – or your neighbors’ homes.
Secure All Doors and Windows
The most obvious line of defense is to tighten up any areas where wind and rain can penetrate your home. Doors should have three hinges and a deadbolt. Sliding glass doors should be made of tempered glass. Cover these with storm shutters during a storm as they are far more vulnerable than other doors in your home. Secure your garage with impact resistant and wind pressure approved doors.
Related Post: Fixing Seals on Windows and Doors
Inspect Your Roof
Leaks and vulnerability often start at the roof. It is likely the most exposed part of your home. Before a storm is imminent, check for any loose, broken or missing shingles or tiles. Hire a professional roofing company to do any needed work. If you are reroofing, spend a little extra to seal the roof deck with waterproof tape. Make sure that your roofing contractor is licensed and does not ask you to fill out paperwork that includes Assignment of Benefits language.
By being prepared now you can save yourself, your home and your family a great deal of stress in the event of a hurricane in your area.
To keep yourself prepared for whatever may come this season, register to receive notifications from AlertFlorida, Florida Division of Emergency Management’s free emergency and public safety alert system. Also, federal, state and local governments put out a great deal of information.
Get a new home insurance quote today. It is free and easy and can help you make a more informed decision. Visit American Integrity Insurance at for a free, no obligation homeowner’s insurance quote in Florida.
American Integrity Insurance is committed to providing Florida homeowners with sound, comprehensive insurance coverage and an extraordinary customer experience. We strive to be a valued partner to our policyholders, agents, and community.
We offer traditional and high valued homeowners insurance, condo insurance, renters insurance, and the special coverage required for vacant homes, manufactured homes, and policies designed for those who need less coverage or are renting out their home. We also offer extra protection, including flood insurance, umbrella insurance, golf cart insurance, boat insurance, cyber coverage and identity theft protection as well as equipment breakdown coverage, to help address a broad range of needs facing Florida homeowners today