Storm’s Coming. Be Prepared.
South Florida is a well oiled ship when it comes to hurricane preparation and aftermath. And after so many sensationalized scares by the news and near-misses, the community is always prepped, yet skeptical. But how much do you really know about hurricane damage insurance policies? While most people know how to install a proper hurricane shutter and stock up on water and lighters, the intricacies of home insurance policies may be lost on them. Here are a few friendly tips on how to truly maximize your claim and get what you deserve, during the troubled times of hurricane aftermath.
One thing to understand is that not all damage is covered. If you live in an area that’s prone to hurricanes like say, Key West, it’s in your best interest to purchase additional hurricane insurance to cover the full damage. Those living in the southeast coast of the U.S. on the other hand, may not be covered for hurricane damage. Wind damage is one that is mostly covered, but flood damage is more difficult to find. Your coverage depends on a few factors:
- The type of damage
- How the damage was caused (flooding damage, wind damage, etc.)
- The type of homeowner coverage you purchased (ordinary home insurance or a specific hurricane insurance policy)
- Where you live
The truth is, there’s no individual policy labeled as “hurricane insurance.” There are windstorm, flooding and sewer backup insurance policies, which all should be acquired to cover the damage of a hurricane. Because when the big storm hits, the major problems you’ll be dealing with all pertain to wind damage, flooding and potentially a sewage problem. Sewer backup is extremely common and it may be covered if the backup is due to heavy rainfall. Sewer backup can be included as an add-on to your overall policy. The unfortunate thing is that if your backup was caused by rainfall and you lack rainfall coverage, then you’ll find yourself in a messy situation.
You can always dive into your insurance policy documents to make sure you have the right coverage. If you find yourself with extensive hurricane damage and need an ally, hire yourself an experienced and preferably referred licensed public adjuster. This person will aid you through a policy review process and evaluation.
Our government brought fourth the National FloorInsurance Program (NFIP) under FEMA. Because of this program, you can purchase flood insurance if you live in these hurricane hot spots. Approximately 7 million homes find themselves at risk for hurricane storm surge damage alone. And it’s not just coastal homes. Homes that are hundreds of miles inland also find themselves victim to these heavy storms.
Don’t be forced to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs out of pocket during an emotionally tumultuous time. Hire a licensed public adjuster to be, not only an emotional support, but the team member you need to acquire the coverage you deserve.