Are You Properly Insured for Hurricane Season? || GWK || GWK Insurance

Are You Properly Insured for Hurricane Season?.

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Floridians know there is an additional season (other than winter, spring, summer, and fall) to prepare for annually -- hurricane season, which begins June 1st and lasts through November 30th. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, then you likely understand the importance of having the right insurance policies in place before a catastrophic storm makes its way to shore. While there is no such thing as hurricane insurance, there are various policies available to create the best comprehensive coverage for your home and belongings.

5 Steps to Ensure You Are Properly Covered

Most homeowner’s insurance policies cover your home’s structure in the event of a natural disaster such as a hurricane. However, there are several variables that can affect your insurance payout. The following are five steps you can take to ensure you are properly covered for hurricane season.

#1: Check that your policy limit will sufficiently cover the rebuild your home

Homeowner’s insurance policies have plenty of technical jargon to read through, but double-checking the amount your insurance will pay you in order to rebuild or make extensive repairs is important. Be sure to consider that your home’s value is not equivalent to the cost of rebuilding it. Determine the actual cost of rebuilding your home and ensure your policy covers that amount.

#2: Understand your hurricane deductible

When you are reviewing your homeowner’s insurance policy, pay close attention to the Declarations page, which will likely have a separate deductible for hurricanes. This part of your policy is expressed as a percentage (anywhere between one and five percent) and details what would put it into effect.

#3: Determine what natural disasters your insurance policy does and does not cover

Not only will your policy list and detail what is covered, it will also state what the policy does not cover, such as flooding. This is when having separate flood insurance is beneficial. Hurricanes often lead to flooding, so if your home is in a flood zone, you may want to consider additional coverage.

#4: Document the value of your possessions with a home inventory

Prior to each hurricane season, you should conduct a home inventory to ensure that your belongings are sufficiently insured should they need to be replaced. This also helps create a smoother insurance claim process.

#5: Review your policy to ensure you're properly covered

Take some time to review your insurance policies before a hurricane makes landfall this year. You may learn that you have too much or too little coverage for your home and belongings. It is also important to note that sometimes, before a hurricane, a moratorium (temporary pause on issuing or updating insurance policies prior to a natural disaster) may be in effect by your insurance company, making it challenging to find the right coverage for you. So, make sure you make any changes as soon as possible to avoid being in a moratorium. At GWK Insurance, we have been helping individuals and families find the best insurance coverage and providing them with peace of mind since 1979. Contact us today to help you get the best possible coverage for your home, lifestyle, and budget.