Hurricane Season: Still Not Over
Tallahassee, Fla. – With Invest 90L currently brewing in the tropics and the potential for it to make landfall, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) is urging property owners to take basic precautions to protect themselves and their belongings in advance of the storm.
“With this year being a fairly active hurricane season for the Southeast, PCI encourages Floridians to plan ahead and take time now to get prepared,” said Logan McFaddin, PCI Florida regional manager.
“While we still don’t know the path of storm, it’s never too early to be prepared for a system that could result in flooding and property damage for the Sunshine State.”
PCI urges residents and business owners to take precautionary measures to prevent damage to vulnerable property, and make sure they have emergency kits and plans ready in the event the weather disturbance in the tropics continues to develop. Coastal residents should plan for the possibility of evacuation orders. Flooding from storm surge during hurricanes and tropical storms can be especially dangerous for residents along the coast and further inland.
“Floridians should check whether they have flood insurance, as flood damage is not covered by the standard homeowners policy,” continued McFaddin. “Additional coverage is available for purchase through the National Insurance Program, and it is best to do it sooner rather than later, as there is typically a 30-day waiting period between the date of purchase and when flood coverage will go into effect.”
PCI and other industry groups work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, assisting Florida homeowners and business owners before and after any disaster. “Should the weather disturbance develop into a larger storm and cause damage, PCI urges you to report claims to your insurer as soon as possible to begin the recovery process,” said McFaddin. “It is also important to avoid unscrupulous companies or individuals looking to capitalize on Floridians during a time of need.”
PCI Hurricane Precautions:
• Review your property insurance policy, especially the “declarations” page, and check whether your policy pays replacement costs, or actual cash value for a covered loss.
• Inventory your household items, and photograph or videotape them for further documentation. Keep this information and your insurance policies in a safe place.
• Keep the name, address and claims-reporting telephone number of your insurer and agent in a safe and easily accessible place.
• Protect your property by covering all windows with plywood or shutters, moving vehicles into the garage when possible and placing grills and patio furniture indoors.
• Keep all receipts for any repairs so your insurance company can reimburse you.
• Check with your insurance adjuster for referrals to professional restoration, cleaning and salvage companies if additional assistance is needed.
Make sure watercraft are stored in a secure area, like a garage or covered boat dock. A typical homeowners policy will cover property damage in limited instances for small watercraft, and separate boat policies will provide broader, more extensive property and liability protection for larger, faster boats, yachts, jet skis and wave runners. Additional information can be found on PCI’s Hurricane Headquarters Page.
PCI Resources:
Online Magazine:
Infographics:
PCI 2016 Have A Plan Insurance Checklist: http://bit.ly/PCIHurricaneChecklist16
2016 Hurricane Fact Sheet: http://bit.ly/PCIHurricaneStats
Tags:
