Home Improvement 2min Read

Are you relying on luck this hurricane season?

From Y2K panic to Chicken Little’s cries that the sky is falling, history is full of false alarms that left people feeling skeptical the next time around. In Florida, we see a similar pattern with hurricane forecasts. It’s called hurricane apathy—when past near-misses cause people to let their guard down, thinking “it probably won’t happen this time.”

But here’s the truth: Even with modern forecasting tools, predicting a storm’s exact path is still hit or miss. And if you live in Florida and delay your hurricane preparedness, you could be gambling with your safety—and your home.

Whether the storm veers off or heads straight for your neighborhood, being unprepared is a risk you can’t afford to take. Florida homeowners insurance can help after the storm, but it’s what you do before it hits that makes all the difference. From updating your insurance coverage to tackling small home improvement projects, now is the time to get ready.

Because in Florida, when it comes to hurricane preparedness, hoping for the best is never enough.

It’s not the size of the dog in the fight…

Hurricane category isn’t always the best predictor of the amount of damage a storm can do (Sandy was a “Superstorm” – not a hurricane – when it wreaked havoc across the northeast). Even “no-name” storms can inflict major destruction.

Horseshoes, rabbit’s feet, four-leaf clovers, oh my!

As residents of the state with the most people and property exposed to hurricane damage in the country, it’s important for every Floridian to be prepared in case this is the year Mother Nature decides to put an end to our lucky streak.

Fact: Since 1851, 125 hurricanes have hit Florida, according to data from the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. This is more than 41 percent of the total number of U.S. hurricane strikes.

An ounce of prevention…

Taking steps to make sure your home can withstand hurricane-force winds not only helps reduce the damage of a storm, it can also help reduce your insurance rates by way of wind mitigation discounts. Consider retrofitting your openings (all exterior windows, doors – including garage doors – and skylights) to include impact-resistant products.

Other helpful retrofits include:

Improving the strength of a roof deck attachment
Creating a secondary water barrier to prevent water intrusion
Improving the survivability of a roof covering
Bracing gable-end walls
Reinforcing roof-to-wall connections

Be sure to notify your agent about your upgrades to determine if they can assist you in qualifying for wind mitigation discounts. And don’t forget to take an inventory of your belongings. An online home inventory that you can access on the go is especially helpful if you must evacuate quickly due to a storm.

When it comes to home insurance, are you under cover(ed)?

Do you know your (hurricane) deductible? Standard home insurance policies don’t cover flood – a typical hurricane by-product. Do you have a separate flood insurance policy? Have you made any upgrades to your home or furniture since purchasing your policy? Have a conversation with your agent to ensure that your home and contents are adequately covered.

When it comes to hurricane season, we should all live by the Boy Scouts’ motto and “be prepared.” What steps are you taking to prepare?