How to Prepare Your Home for Hurricane Season: An Insurance Perspective

Check Your Insurance BEFORE Hurricane Season

Once a named storm is approaching, most insurers freeze new policies and changes in the affected area. You can't buy flood insurance, increase coverage, or switch carriers with a hurricane in the forecast. Everything needs to be done before June 1 — or ideally, right now.

Your Insurance Pre-Season Checklist

1. Review Your Homeowners Policy

Pull out your declarations page and verify:

• Dwelling coverage: Is it enough to rebuild at today's construction costs?
• Wind/hurricane deductible: What percentage? Do the math on what you'd actually owe.
• Other structures: Is your fence, shed, or detached garage adequately covered?
• Personal property: Have you added significant items since last review?
• Loss of use: Enough to cover months of temporary housing?

2. Understand Your Hurricane Deductible

Most coastal and near-coastal policies have a separate hurricane deductible:

• Typically 2-5% of dwelling coverage
• A $400,000 home with 2% = $8,000 deductible
• With 5% = $20,000 deductible

This is separate from your standard deductible. Know the trigger — when does the hurricane deductible apply vs. your standard deductible? Most policies trigger the hurricane deductible when the National Weather Service declares a hurricane watch or warning.

3. Get Flood Insurance NOW

Standard home insurance does NOT cover flooding. Storm surge, rising water, and heavy rainfall flooding require a separate flood policy.

• NFIP waiting period: 30 days from purchase
• Some private flood insurers: 10-14 day waiting periods
• If you wait until June: You may not be covered until July
• If you wait for a named storm: Too late

4. Review Your Auto Insurance

Your car's flood damage is covered by comprehensive coverage:

• If you've dropped comprehensive, reinstate it before hurricane season
• If you have a car loan, your lender requires it anyway
• If you park outside (no garage), comprehensive is especially important

5. Document Your Property

Create or update a complete home inventory:

• Video walkthrough: Every room, every closet, every drawer
• Photos of high-value items: Electronics, appliances, furniture, art
• Store off-site: Cloud storage, email to yourself, or a safe deposit box
• Keep receipts: For major purchases

Physical Preparation That Lowers Your Insurance Risk

Roof Inspection and Maintenance

Your roof is your first line of defense:

• Have a professional inspect for loose shingles, damaged flashing, and weak points
• Repair any issues before storm season
• Consider impact-resistant shingles at your next replacement (insurance discount of 5-15%)

Window and Door Protection

• Hurricane shutters or impact windows: 10-15% insurance discount in many areas
• Plywood cut to fit: If you can't afford shutters, have plywood pre-cut for every window and stored in your garage
• Reinforce garage door: The most common failure point in a hurricane

Yard Maintenance

• Trim trees: Dead branches become missiles in high winds
• Secure outdoor furniture: Bring in or tie down anything that can become airborne
• Clear gutters and drains: Prevent water backup during heavy rainfall

Emergency Supplies

• Generator (don't run it indoors)
• 7-day water supply
• Non-perishable food
• Medications (30-day supply)
• Important documents in waterproof container
• Cash (ATMs may not work)

What to Do When a Storm Is Coming

48-72 Hours Before

• Verify your insurance policies are current
• Locate your policy documents and insurance company contact numbers
• Charge all devices
• Fill car with gas
• Implement your window/door protection plan

During the Storm

• Stay inside, away from windows
• Document any damage as it occurs (if safe to do so)
• Don't attempt repairs during the storm

After the Storm

• Document ALL damage before cleanup (photos, video)
• Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage (tarp roof, board windows)
• Keep all receipts for emergency expenses
• File your insurance claim immediately
• Don't sign contracts with storm-chasing contractors without verifying credentials

The 30-Day Flood Insurance Rule

This bears repeating because it catches people every year:

• NFIP flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period
• If you buy a policy on May 1, coverage starts June 1
• If you buy on June 15, coverage doesn't start until July 15
• A named storm in June with a July policy start = no coverage
• Buy NOW. Not next month. Now.

The Bottom Line

Hurricane preparation from an insurance perspective is about three things: adequate coverage, proper documentation, and timing. Review your policies, buy flood insurance, understand your deductibles, and document your property — all before June 1. The time to prepare is when the forecast is calm, not when a storm is spinning in the Gulf.