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Hurricane Preparedness More Crucial Than Ever
By:Ned Gonzalez
Despite the increase in force and numbers of hurricanes, the popularity of owning a second home near the waterfront is increasing. Properly protecting your home, whether it’s your primary residence or a vacation home, may be one of the most important precautions you take this hurricane season.
Most hurricane home damage comes from wind or water, but can be avoided by taking the time to adequately prepare your home. If you own a home in a hurricane zone, it is critical to reinforce the exterior, especially windows, doors and roofs of your home so wind and debris do not tear through it.
According to Chris Heidrick, vice president of Personal Insurance at Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, early preparation is the best way to defend yourself and your residence against the elements. “Advance preparation is vital in surviving hurricane season. Preparation means not just trying to mitigate damage, but also being prepared to deal with any damage that does occur. At Fireman’s Fund, we encourage our customers to rely on the expertise of their insurance agent and company.”
Whether you are protecting your primary residence or your home away from home, following are a few key tips to effectively reduce damage.
Act in advance:
* Have your home inspected and assess the potential risk before a hurricane strikes. For a reasonable fee you can hire a professional service to perform this service for you and tell you what you need to do to prepare for a hurricane.
* Shutters are a key defense against wind damage. Be sure that all glass openings are protected with approved shutters. Shutters come in a variety of styles and costs – work with a professional to determine the best shutter for your home, lifestyle and budget. Non-glass entry doors should also be protected with shutters.
* In addition to damage from wind, your residence may be subject to rain or flood damage. Having a back-up generator to run the air conditioner and dehumidifier is critical in order to avoid excess moisture that can lead to future problems with mold. In addition to walls, mold can grow on precious items such as oriental rugs and fine paintings. A back-up generator is also helpful if you need to live in your home after a storm, if you have electric roll-down shutters or an expensive wine collection that needs to be in a temperature controlled setting.
* Pipes may burst during a storm. To prevent further water damage, set up a water cut-off system, such as the WaterCop, which will automatically shut off the water if excess water is detected in the home.
* Secure all outdoor items or move them indoors. Unsecured outdoor furniture and other objects become dangerous projectiles in hurricanes.
* Because reliable contractors are in high demand and short supply after a major storm, it pays to identify local, dependable contractors well before a hurricane hits, in case repairs are needed afterwards. Don’t wait until a hurricane watch or warning to find a contractor – it is unlikely you’ll find a professional in time to get the work done.
If your vacation home is in a hurricane zone, and you aren't nearby during hurricane season:
* Have a trusted friend or reliable paid caretaker help in the event of a hurricane to secure your home by ensuring shutters are in place, doors are located and outdoor furniture is moved to a secure location.
* Make sure this person knows critical factors about your home – where gas and water shut-off valves are as well as how to put up your shutters. (Leaving a detailed schematic for shutter placement is helpful.) Also provide your caretakers with a complete inventory of your home’s contents, and emergency contact numbers for both you and your insurance agent.
* The caretaker should conduct an inspection of your home as soon as it is safe to do so – preferably within 24 hours after a hurricane so any water infiltration and other damage can be properly attended to.
Filing Your Claim:
If your home is damaged, you’ll want your insurance claim to be handled quickly and smoothly. Again, the best way to ensure this is with advance preparation:
* Work with your insurance agent to determine the best coverage for you and understand exactly what your insurance does cover – flood damage and storm surges are not usually covered by a standard homeowner’s insurance policy. Fortunately, insurance companies such as Fireman’s Fund now offer optional, private coverage solutions for floods.
* Videotape the exterior and interior of the residence and create an inventory documenting all general contents and valuable possessions. If this task seems too daunting, work with a professional. Fireman’s Fund offers a service called “Asset Archives” to help customers keep track of valuables.
* If your home has been damaged by a hurricane or other strong storm, conduct an inspection of the interior and exterior within 24 hours or as soon as it is safe.
* In addition to impacting coastal areas, tropical storms often drop a foot or more of rain well inland. Federal flood insurance leaves many gaps so homeowners who live outside of historical flood zones don’t carry it. Homeowners in this situation should speak to a Fireman’s Fund agent about this important coverage.
* Contact your insurance agent immediately if there has been any damage. If you can’t get through, contact the insurance company directly. Most have toll-free numbers for catastrophe situations, such as Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company’s toll-free line, 1-888-FIREHAT.
* Talk to your agent about what repairs need to be done immediately. Your agent can also be a good source for finding reliable contractors and advising you on what a fair price for repairs is.
Caution is key:
The nation's top weather monitor, National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration, predicts up to 10 hurricanes with as many as four to six of them capable of becoming Category 3 strength or higher. While vacation homes are meant to be a retreat from the daily grind, they can become more of an imprisonment if these basic hurricane season precautions are not taken. The best way to lessen damage and ensure speedy claims handling afterwards is to make the effort to prepare well before a hurricane strikes. - ARA
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