Severe weather and natural disasters can wreak havoc on your property and threaten your way of life. Hurricanes represent a grave and consistent threat for many homeowners. If you are a resident of an area at high risk of hurricanes, you need to take this into consideration when establishing and maintaining your insurance portfolio. Even a single weather event could inflict devastating damages on your property, and without adequate hurricane insurance, you may lack the means to rebuild, repair and recover. 

What Does Hurricane Insurance Cover? 
Hurricane insurance may not always refer to a single specific policy. Rather, this term refers to a collection of coverages that, when combined, can cast a safety net across various hurricane-related risks and perils. In general, your hurricane insurance should consist of the following coverages: 

• Flood insurance—If a hurricane brings heavy rains or otherwise causes external flood water damages, this type of policy can protect the physical structure of your property (e.g., foundations, plumbing, electrical systems) and your belongings, including electronics, appliances and furniture. Standard homeowners insurance policies generally do not cover flood damages caused by water entering your home from outside.
• Windstorm insurance—This coverage can provide financial assistance if heavy winds damage your home and property. In addition to hurricanes, your policy may also cover losses from tornadoes, cyclones and other storms. Although many homeowners insurance policies may include this coverage, those living in areas at high risk of hurricanes may need to acquire it separately. 

You should also familiarize yourself with any additional deductibles applicable to hurricane and storm-related damages. In many cases, insurance companies may require those living in areas at high risk of severe storms to maintain separate deductibles for windstorms, named storms and hurricanes. 

How to Prepare for Hurricanes 
Although having adequate hurricane insurance is essential, it’s also possible for you to keep your family safe and limit your losses by being prepared for these storms. With that in mind, consider the following steps: 

• Plan evacuation—Hurricanes may be inevitable in certain areas. Take time in advance to arrange your evacuation route and ensure everyone in your household is familiar with it.
• Prepare supplies—Pack an emergency kit that includes the following:
  • Medical supplies (e.g., first-aid kit, prescription medications)
  • Drinking water
  • Nonperishable food
  • Flashlight
  • Extra batteries
  • Portable radio
  • Matches
  • Home repair tools and materials (e.g., heavy plastic sheeting, plywood, hammer, wrench, etc.)
• Maintain inventory—Document any belongings you would submit a claim for if a hurricane damaged or destroyed them.
• Fortify property—Protect your home in advance of a hurricane by taking the following actions:
• Remove weak trees and branches.
• Install storm shutters or attach plywood over windows.
• Seal outside wall openings (e.g., vents, outdoor electrical outlets).
• Replace gravel or rock landscaping materials with lighter materials, such as shredded bark.
• Review insurance—It’s essential to understand your coverage fully. If you discover that you lack adequate coverage after a hurricane, you may lack the financial means to recover. 

Get the Right Coverage 
At Choice One Network, our agents have the knowledge, experience and dedication to help residents and families in Miami, Homestead and Coral Gables be prepared for hurricanes. We will work with you to ensure that you are adequately insured and can financially recover after one of these disasters. Contact us today to get started.