Hurricane season runs from June through November, and the season’s peak is typically in September. Now is the best time to review your homeowner’s insurance to ensure you are adequately covered if a hurricane hits. Keep reading this article to find out how to make sure you’re prepared for a hurricane.
Don’t wait until a hurricane is announced before reviewing your insurance coverage. If there is a hurricane watch, insurance companies will not allow homeowners or business owners to make changes to the current policy. Instead, have a professional review your policy now to ensure you have the right protection. Most homeowner’s insurance covers hurricane damage; however, some policies don’t cover flooding. An additional insurance policy is needed for flood coverage. The insurance policy may exclude or limit hurricane coverage if you live in an area that is more susceptible to hurricanes, like the Gulf Coast. We recommend asking your current insurer if adding windstorm or hurricane coverage to your policy is an option.
What does hurricane insurance cover?
Although there is no type of coverage called hurricane insurance, most standard policies will cover damages due to a hurricane, though not including flood damage. If you live along the East Coast or Gulf Coast, additional windstorm and flood coverage may need to be purchased. A constant misunderstanding is that a homeowner’s policy covers flood damage.
Does renters insurance cover hurricane damage?
If you are renting your home, renters insurance will cover damage to your belongings. Your landlord’s insurance will cover the physical damage to the property. Renters insurance pays for damages, theft, and personal liability coverage. It can include additional living expenses if you can’t live in the home due to damages.
Unlike homeowners insurance, there is no hurricane deductible for renters. If you need to file a claim, you would need to pay your deductible, usually $250 or $500, before your insurance company pays their portion.
Since the hurricane season is here, we have prepared a hurricane preparation guide for homes and businesses. We suggest reviewing these guides, sharing them with friends, and preparing if a hurricane damages your property. Download the Hurricane Preparedness Checklist Here.
If you or someone you know needs to speak with an insurance expert, we offer consultation for homeowners and business owners. Brandon Lewis founded Strategic Claim Consultants, a team of experts who can assess your insurance policy to make sure the coverage is in your best interest. As public adjusters, we work on behalf of the policyholder. Read more about the differences between an insurance adjuster and public adjuster here.