How to Prepare for Hurricane Season

6/17/2019 (Permalink)

The hurricane season is now upon us and that means it is time to prepare for it. With any storm it is good to have a plan and a list of things that need to happen when a storm is arriving. In today blog post we want to talk about 6 easy steps to help you prepare ahead of time.

1. Have an evacuation route planned ahead of time

Living in a mobile home or within close proximity to the beach buts you at a greater risk for damage as well as a quick evacuation. It is important to know where you will be directly to, where your animals and loved ones will go, and what important documentation you need to take with you.

2. Keep supplies on hand in case of emergencies

Supplies should be nonperishable and changed out depending on the situation. Some of these would include:
- Extra Batteries
- Candles or lanterns
- Prescriptions
- Non- perishable foods
- First aid supplies
- Portable weather radio

3. Inventory all personal belongings

It is important to inventory all personal belongings for insurance and tax purposes. If you have to evacuate your home it is important to know what was lost if a catastrophe does happen to your home. Having pictures of your valuable belongings before the storm and after will make the claim easier for your insurance company.

4. Know your Insurance Policies

Review your homeowners insurance to see if they cover temporary housing, what your deductible is, and what exactly is covered for your home. Read the fine print to know if there are exclusions in your policies.

5. Protect your home

- Use shredded bark instead of gravel or rock in your landscape because it will cause less damage
- Trim trees appropriately
- Install storm shutters or board up before leaving
- Secure your mobile home before leaving
- Anchor your boat or trailer securely to the ground

6. Protect your business

- Put an emergency response plan into place so both employees and the insurance company knows what to expect and take care of.
- Keep all contacts up to date so there is always someone available to talk to.

- Review and understand your insurance policies to know what is covered and what would fall on your the owner to take care of.