August 15, 2024 Homeowner
6 Things you should do to prepare your home and family for hurricane season
As hurricane season approaches, preparing your home is crucial to minimize damage and ensure safety. Here are some essential tips to protect your property.
1. Secure your windows and doors
Installing storm shutters or plywood over windows can prevent them from shattering during high winds. Reinforce doors with heavy-duty deadbolts and secure any garage doors, which are often vulnerable to wind pressure.
2. Clear your yard
Remove loose objects like patio furniture, potted plants, and garden tools, as these can become dangerous projectiles in strong winds. Trim trees and shrubs to reduce the risk of branches breaking off and damaging your home.
3. Check your roof and gutters
Inspect your roof for loose shingles or tiles and repair them to prevent leaks. Clear gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage, reducing the risk of water damage.
Bonus tip: Even if you’re not in a high-risk zone, you should still consider emerging flood risks in your region. Depending on where you live, and your risk profile, a flood insurance policy could make financial sense for you and your family. (treat like pull-quote, but do not use quotation marks)
4. Reinforce your home’s structure
If you live in a high-risk area, consider reinforcing your home's structure with hurricane straps or clips, which can help secure the roof to the walls and the walls to the foundation. This added stability can make a significant difference during a storm.
5. Prepare an emergency kit
Keep an emergency kit stocked with essentials like water, non-perishable food, batteries, flashlights, a first-aid kit and important documents. Make sure everyone in your household knows where it is and how to use the items.
6. Review your insurance policy
Before hurricane season starts, review your homeowner's insurance policy to ensure it covers wind and flood damage. If necessary, update your policy to include these coverages.
By taking these steps, you can help protect your home and family during hurricane season, giving you peace of mind when storms approach.
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Learn more:
Build an emergency kit – Ready.gov
Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Guide
National Flood Insurance Program: Who’s Required to Have Flood Insurance?
Why cheaper is not better for home insurance:
- Cheaper policies often come with limited coverage and lower limits for certain coverage types.
- Cheaper policies might not provide adequate protection against common hazards faced by military families.
- The quality of customer service trends lower with cheaper policies.
- Military families often have unique needs when it comes to home insurance, and cheaper policies might not provide adequate coverage for these specific needs.
- Cheaper policies might not provide adequate financial protection in the event of a loss.