By Tyler Smith | Brightway Insurance, the Smith & Mitchell Agency
Every year, Southwest Florida homeowners begin preparing for hurricane season long before the first storm is on the radar. They fill gas cans, check flashlights, extra batteries and make sure patio furniture, grills and loose outdoor items will not become flying projectiles in the next windstorm.
But some of the most expensive mistakes homeowners make before a hurricane do not involve shutters, plywood or generators. They often begin months before a storm forms in the Gulf, with assumptions about insurance coverage, documentation and timing.
Here are five common mistakes homeowners can avoid before the weather forecast becomes concerning.
1. Assuming the policy covers everything
Many homeowners believe they are fully protected simply because they have a homeowners insurance policy. But policies can include important limitations and exclusions. Water damage, flood damage, sewer backup and wind-driven rain can all be treated differently depending on the policy.
The worst time to discover a coverage gap is after a claim has occurred. Reviewing your policy each year can help provide peace of mind before hurricane season becomes active.
2. Thinking flood insurance is only for waterfront homes
Many homeowners believe flood insurance is only needed near the beach, a river or a canal. But flooding can affect neighborhoods far from the water. Heavy rainfall, overwhelmed drainage systems and localized flooding can impact areas that have never flooded before.
Many homeowners do not realize they may need flood insurance until a storm is approaching. By then, it may be too late, because most flood policies have a waiting period before coverage takes effect.
3. Forgetting to document home improvements
A new roof, impact windows, hurricane shutters or a reinforced garage door can help protect a home. Those upgrades also may qualify a homeowner for insurance discounts.
Insurance companies often require documentation to verify improvements. Homeowners should keep copies of permits, receipts, contracts, inspection reports and wind mitigation documents. That paperwork can help make sure discounts are applied and may be useful if a claim is ever filed.
4. Waiting until a
storm is in the forecast
When a named storm enters the region, insurance companies frequently implement binding restrictions. That means certain policy changes may no longer be available until the storm threat has passed.
New policies, coverage increases and some flood insurance purchases can become difficult or impossible, to obtain once a storm is nearby. The best time to review insurance coverage is when the skies are blue and the weather is calm.
5. Not having a home inventory
After a major loss, remembering every item in a home can be difficult. One of the easiest steps homeowners can take is to create a video inventory with a smartphone.
Walk through each room, open closets and cabinets, and record valuable belongings. Store the video in the cloud or another safe location. The process can take less than 15 minutes and may make a major difference if a claim is ever filed.
A little preparation can go a long way. No one can control the weather, but homeowners can control how prepared they are before a storm arrives.
This article was submitted by
Tyler Smith of Brightway Insurance,
The Smith & Mitchell Agency, located at 9230 Daniels Parkway, Unit 2, Fort Myers, FL 33912.
For more information,
call (239) 603-8200.
