Security First Insurance

There's no better time than now to review your policy and to make sure you have all the coverage you need and that your insurance company has the financial stability to be there for you after the storm.

Review Your Policy

Take 30 minutes and talk to your agent about what is and isn't covered under your current policy. Ask questions. Make sure the coverage you have will provide you and your family with everything you need if a hurricane were to damage your home. 

• Find out the amount of your hurricane deductible. Make sure you have the funds set aside to cover the deductible so you can get back to normal as quickly as possible.
• Your personal property may not be valued what you think it should be valued on your insurance policy. Carefully review and consider purchasing the additional coverage, Personal Property Replacement Cost, to replace your property with items that are new. Without this additional coverage, personal property is covered at its depreciated value.
• Make sure your home has the right coverage to replace/repair your home. This is shown as Coverage A on your homeowner's policy. Will that amount cover the cost to completely rebuild your home?
• Consider flood insurance. Your base policy does not include flood insurance. Even if you don’t live in a special Flood Hazard Area you may want to consider purchasing Flood insurance. Tropical Storm Fay left many homes devasted by floods throughout the state of Florida.

Research Your Insurance Company's Financial Stability

You can determine your insurance company’s financial stability by evaluating how much reinsurance they purchase. Florida regulators require homeowner insurance companies to purchase reinsurance for one 100 year event and two 20 year events. A 100 year event is a catastrophic event so big that it has only a 1% (1/100) chance of occurring in a single year. Hurricane Andrew was a 33 year event. Think of reinsurance as insurance for insurance companies.

Many private insurers purchase only the minimum required. Security First Insurance purchases reinsurance up to the 100 year event and for four 20 year events. We go above and beyond to provide you with the “peace of mind” you deserve.

Protect Your Home and Your Family

There are several things you can do during a hurricane season to protect your home and your family.

1. If you don't already have shutters for your windows and doors, purchase them. This could save you a lot of money and aggravation. If you don’t have the funds to purchase shutters make sure you properly board your windows with plywood.
2. Does your roof need to be repaired? You may want to contact a licensed and insured roofer to come and provide you with an inspection.
3. Bring all loose items inside, even items that seem heavy to you. If you have anything that is not permanently affixed to your foundation or home take it inside.
4. Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed.
5. Make sure your gutters are clean to prevent flooding.
6. Deadbolt your doors. The throw on a deadbolt is much longer than a standard door knob and requires more pressure to open.
7. Go to your local store and purchase a first aid kit, water, canned goods, manual can opener, protective clothing, battery powered radio, extra batteries, flashlights, and sealed plastic containers to keep your valuables.
8. Know your evacuation plan. Contact your local emergency management office for information about the safest evacuation routes and locations of shelters that are close to where you live.

Don’t forget about Fido

Make sure your hurricane disaster plan includes the family pet because in the event of a catastrophe, they are unlikely to survive on their own. Not planning in advance could mean that you and your family are scrambling at the last minute to find shelters that accept pets or you may find that you’ve left an important necessity behind. Please take a moment to read these helpful tips on creating a disaster plan for your pet to ensure every family member is protected.

Have a Disaster Plan

• Plan in advance where you will go and how you will get there.
• Map out your primary route and a backup route in case roads are blocked or impassable.
• Specialized pet shelters, animal control shelters, veterinary clinics and friends and relatives living in areas located out of harm’s way are ALL potential refuges for your pet during a disaster. Many emergency shelters do not accept household pets for public health reasons, so it is important to do the research and identify pet-friendly shelters in advance. Your county’s Emergency Management Web page will provide you with a list of shelters, and in most cases, will identify those shelters that accept pets.
• Talk to your vet, the humane society or the local emergency management agency for information regarding community evacuation plans that include pets.
• Animals brought to a pet shelter are required to have: Proper identification collar and rabies tag, proper identification on all belongings, a carrier or cage, a leash, an ample supply of food, water and food bowls, any necessary medications, specific care instructions and news papers or trash bags for clean-up.
• Make advance arrangements to have a friend or neighbor pick up your pets in the event you are not at home when a disaster strikes. And, plan where you will meet or how you will reach each other.

Make a Grab-Bag Disaster Kit for Your Pets

• Medication and medical records (including proof of rabies vaccination) in a waterproof container, pet shelters may require proof of vaccines.
• Pet first aid kit.
• Leashes, harnesses, crates and carriers for transporting pets - carriers should be large enough for the animal to stand and turn around.
• A muzzle, if your pet requires one.
• Food and water for at least three days; a manual can opener.
• Cat litter and litter box.
• Toys.
• Recent photo of you and your pet in case you become separated.
• Name and phone number of your veterinarian.
• If you have pet insurance, the insurance company contact information and policy number.

If You Must Evacuate, Take Your Pets

• Be prepared to leave early; do not wait for an official evacuation as you might be ordered to leave your pets behind.
• Keep pets on leashes or in carriers at all times. Birds should be transported in a secure travel cage or carrier.
• Make sure your pet is wearing up-to-date identification. Include the phone number of a friend or relative outside your area in case your pet gets lost and you cannot be reached. And, mark the crate or carrier with similar information.

After the Disaster

• Once you return to your home, do not allow your pets to roam loose right away. While you assess the damage, keep dogs on a leash and other animals in their carriers.
• Familiar landmarks and smells might be gone, and your pet may become disoriented. Pets can easily get lost in such situations, so give them some time to get used to their surroundings.
• After a disaster animals can become aggressive or defensive - monitor their behavior.

If you have any questions please contact Security First Insurance Company at (877) 333-9992.