Preparing for the Next Hurricane

While there are many things that Floridians can do to prepare for the next hurricane, such as creating an emergency kit, stocking up on batteries and creating a family-wide preparedness plan, it is also important to take stock of all of the important items throughout the home. There are several ways in which this can be done.

When to Make Changes

First and foremost, it is important to remember that homeowners cannot make any changes to their insurance policies while the state of Florida is under a hurricane watch or warning. This means that any necessary changes will need to be made prior to the start of the season in order to be safe. As such, Floridians should ensure that all of their important assets (namely, those that are pricey and expensive to replace) are covered by their policies. During the off-season, all homeowners should take the time to compare the value of such assets with the amount that their insurance policies will cover in the event of a loss.

Use a Digital Camera

The absolute best way to record the number of assets in the home is with a digital camera. Homeowners should first ensure that the date stamp feature is turned on so that each photo is marked with the date it was taken; this will help in the event that a claim needs to be made. It is also important to make sure that brand names and important aspects of the items are captured in the photos as this can make a huge difference when it comes time for the insurance company to fulfill your claim. Finally, consumers should always be sure to make a copy of the photos on some form of removable media and store it in a disaster-proof location or even online. 

Make a Physical List

Now that the record has been captured digitally, consumers can make a physical list of this property by hand or on a computer. This way, it is easy to estimate the value of such items, write the values down, and total them up at the end. This is the figure that homeowners should consider when they are purchasing coverage for their personal effects like computers, smartphones, televisions, home entertainment systems, furniture and more.

Make Changes Accordingly

While everyone should update their insurance policies at least once a year – and preferably not during hurricane season – it is also necessary to contact the insurance provider if a significant purchase is made. For instance, if a consumer invests $15,000 in new furniture throughout the home, then it is important to contact the provider and make changes to the policy, if necessary, to ensure that there is enough coverage there to take care of the purchase in the event of a loss. Even a slight change can make a huge difference when the next big storm comes along.

If you have questions about your insurance policy such as the amount that is covered in the event of a loss, please do not hesitate to contact your agent right away. These individuals can help you make changes to your policy that will help you and your family weather any storm.