Hurricane season officially kicks off on June 1 and it’s important for Central Floridians to be prepared before a storm hits. Whether you’re fresh to the Sunshine State or a long-term resident, McCoy cares about providing you with the resources and information you need to feel confident throughout the season. Check out our preparation tips now to avoid being swept up in a storm of frustration if a hurricane approaches.
Before Hurricane Season Starts: An Insurance Checklist
Do you own expensive electronics or a special personal collection? Do you live on the bottom floor of an apartment complex or own your home? Whether you answered yes or no to these questions, it’s important to ensure you’re covered when an act of God occurs.
Insurance needs vary based on a variety of personal factors. Doing your research and putting the proper policies in place can ease the financial burden later in the case of loss or damage.
Review your homeowners insurance policy. Make sure you have adequate coverage for your home and your belongings. Call your insurance company if you need help understanding your policy’s coverage, deductibles, or exclusions.
Decide on flood insurance. Flooding is a common homeowners insurance exclusion and requires a separate policy. There is a required 30-day waiting period for flood insurance to take effect, so act quickly.
Secure a renters insurance policy if you rent. Your landlord’s homeowners insurance policy does not cover your belongings. Make sure you have a renters policy in place before a storm approaches to protect against loss or damage to your belongings.
Take an inventory of your home and possessions. Creating a home inventory now may save you some stress later. The Insurance Information Institute recommends the following.
- List recent purchases to start your inventory then start adding older possessions, stating estimated value when possible.
- Count clothing by general category (3 pairs of jeans, 2 pairs of sneakers, etc.).
- Record the make, model, and serial number for major appliances and electronic equipment.
- Document everything. Take photos of entire rooms, closets, and drawers or walk through your home while taking video and describing items. Do the same for the outside to show the condition of your home’s exterior before the storm.
As Hurricane Season Progresses: Prepare Your Home and Family
There is a lot to do to ensure the safety of your home and family during a storm. Doing the heavy lifting before a storm is on the radar can help avoid stress and long lines at the grocery store or
ATM.
Develop an evacuation plan. If told to evacuate, where would you go? How would you get there? Deciding where to take shelter in a storm depends on your proximity to the coast and if your residence can withstand the strong winds and rain. Decide now where to evacuate and the best route to get there. If you have pets, locate pet-friendly hotels at your destination or local shelters that accept pets.
Create a communication plan. While most of us have our contacts saved on our phone, what happens when the phone dies? Take some time to write down all necessary contacts, such as family members or roommates, critical service providers, utility companies, and insurance company contacts should you need to file a claim. Keep this list with your important paperwork. Determine a meeting place so you and your loved ones can find each other safely, if separated.
Create an emergency kit. It’s important to have enough essential supplies to get you through the storm and its aftermath. It is recommended to include non-perishable food, water, and medicine for each person in your household. The American Red Cross recommends the following for a minimum of 3 days for evacuation and 2 weeks for home.
- One gallon of water per person, per day
- Non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food items
- Manual can opener
- Flashlights
- Battery-powered radio
- Extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Medications and medical items
- Multi-purpose tool
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items
- Copies of important personal documents
- Cell phone chargers
- Baby supplies, if applicable
- Pet supplies, if applicable
Get cash. Power outages could temporarily delay access to electronic payments at businesses and stores. If functioning, ATMs come with limits and will deplete in cash in a time of crisis. Keep some cash on hand and store it in a safe place at home until you need it.
When a Storm Approaches: Don’t Panic, You’re Ready
Don’t wait for the weather to get bad before you make a plan this hurricane season. Preparing little by little now will save you valuable time later.
McCoy is here to help before, during, and after the storm – whenever you need us. Stay safe this hurricane season.
