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.