Every year, “how to prepare for hurricane season” is a big topic of discussion for Floridians. Most importantly what to do and what not to do! At Florida Best Quote we’re here to help you be as prepared and informed this hurricane season. Here we will be giving tips and advice on how to be prepared, and properly covered by your insurance.
1. Create, and Understand Your Evacuation Plan
First and foremost, the most important way to be prepared for Florida’s hurricane season is to have an evacuation plan. This should be a step by step process of what necessities you will need to grab quickly, and the various routes and backup routes you will need to take to leave the area. Necessities should include prescription medicines and important documents while your evacuation routes will be based on your area’s designated evacuation zones. You can Click Here for more information on your local Evacuation zones and their associated routes.
2. Prepare Your Home
Getting your home ready ahead of time can be one of the best ways to prepare for hurricane season in Florida. Here are just a few of the many ways you can prep your home for a storm:
- Trim weak branches or trees near your home
- Install Hurricane shutters to protect windows (Alternatively have plywood on hand to board up windows)
- Ensure exterior doors are hurricane-proof (at least 3 hinges with a one-inch deadbolt lock)
- Seal all outside openings (such as vents and exterior outlets)
- Replace old garage doors and tracks
- Stock up on bottled water & non-perishable food
Simple precautions like these can not only protect your home but can also lower your insurance bill with credits! For more information on what preparations can lower your insurance, Contact Us to speak with an agent.
3. Take Inventory Of Your Possesions
Creating a list of all your personal possessions is the best way to understand the amount of coverage you will need to be able to replace your belongings in the event of a loss. This is also a great way to speed up the process of receiving compensation from your insurer, determine what is most important for you to take in the event of an evacuation, and applying for disaster aid. This list should be considered an important document and taken with you if evacuation is necessary.
4. Double-Check Your Insurance Coverages
This can be one of the most overlooked, and most important steps in the preparation process. Understanding exactly what types of coverages you have, and the extent to which they cover you is an invaluable asset to a homeowner. Standard Homeowners Insurance covers the structure of your home against hurricanes and windstorms, however, coverages and deductibles can vary!
Speaking with an insurance agent to understand your current coverage can allow you to increase coverage to the entire cost to rebuild your home along with protecting your valuables inside. Your agent can also outline important exclusions in your current policy such as flooding that may need to be addressed with added coverage. To be connected with an experienced local agent in Florida, Click Here.
5. Continue Making Your Insurance Payments
This may seem like an obvious point, but we can’t emphasize its significance enough! Failing to make a payment can result in loss of coverage. Even if the loss of coverage is temporary, losing coverage during hurricane season can be dangerous, and leave you vulnerable to paying for the damage out of pocket.
More Information
At Florida Best Quote, we take pride in serving as a local resource to you and your family on all things insurance in Florida. For more information on insurance coverages and other ways to be prepared for hurricane season, don’t hesitate to Contact Us or click below for a free quote!
