Protecting what is likely your most valuable financial possession, your home, is key during a tropical storm or hurricane.
The National Hurricane Center offers these tips on how to keep your home safe during a storm and some suggestions to follow in regard to your home and auto insurance.
Your Home
- Keep trees around your home trimmed well before a storm to prevent damage from broken branches.
- Have the proper materials in advance to protect windows from flying debris. Plywood or aluminum hurricane shutters are among the most popular ways to “board up” before a storm.
- Bring loose outdoor items such as patio furniture inside. Think about items that could blow around and cause damage to your home.
- Secure all doors on your property. Remember the garage door is usually the most vulnerable. You can brace it inside with plywood and 2×4 lumber.
- Move your car inside a garage or to another secure location.
Your Insurance
- Check you insurance polices well ahead of the storm to see what is and is not covered by your policy.
- Make sure you have flood insurance. “Flooding is the leading cause of damage from tropical systems,” the NHC said.
- Visit www.floodsmart.gov to learn about your home’s flood risk and flood insurance options available to you.
- Prepare your vehicles according to your specific insurance policies to ensure that any possible damage will be covered.
- Know where your insurance documents and contract information are located. “Take them with you if you evacuate,” the hurricane center said.
Based in New York, Stephen Freeman is a Senior Editor at Trending Insurance News. Previously he has worked for Forbes and The Huffington Post. Steven is a graduate of Risk Management at the University of New York.