Hurricanes are an incredibly destructive force of nature, and, depending on where you are located, you may be particularly vulnerable to the financial and physical devastation that they can cause. Last year alone there were 20 separate hurricanes that each resulted in over $1 billion in total damages. While it may be impossible to avoid all damages caused by hurricanes, it is possible to prepare for them. Taking steps to prepare for a hurricane can ensure that even if disaster strikes, you will be safe and have the resources that you need to recover.
Making a Hurricane Plan
Because tropical storm paths and patterns can be hard to predict exactly, it is important to take hurricane warnings seriously, and to be prepared to evacuate before you could be in potential danger. A comprehensive hurricane plan will allow you to prepare for an evacuation quickly in the event that a storm is approaching. Your plan should include having a hurricane kit ready to go, with essentials such as non-perishable foods, first-aid supplies, water, flashlights, and other essentials.
You should also have a plan in place for securing your home and the materials required to do so. This may include take and plywood (or hurricane shutters) for your windows, secure straps for your roof, and reinforcement for garage doors. It is helpful to have a checklist for these tasks, as well as others, such as bringing in all outdoor furniture and cleaning out the gutters, so that you can tackle it quickly. It is also good to have a plan for where you will evacuate to in the event of a hurricane (for instance, a relative’s house further inland or in another state), although this may have to be adjusted depending on the path and breadth of the storm.
Make Sure You Have the Right Insurance
Due to the extreme damage that can be caused to your home and belongings by hurricanes, it is important to make sure that it will be covered. The good news is that you do not need to buy a separate hurricane insurance policy. In fact, “hurricane insurance” can be a misleading term because it doesn’t really exist as a standalone policy.
In fact, damage caused by windstorms such as hurricanes is covered by your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy provided the windstorm was classified as a hurricane. However, it is important to understand that these policies often do not cover damage caused by flooding, which is often a large component of hurricanes.
What is more, heavy rains can also cause dams to fail, which can lead to further property damage. In cases like this, dam failure lawsuits can be a viable alternative for recovery. For all these reasons, you should strongly consider purchasing a separate or additional insurance policy for flooding.
Contact Ged Lawyers, LLP in Boca Raton for a Free Case Review
If you have suffered serious property damage or other damages as a result of a hurricane or natural disaster in Florida, it is not always easy to get the insurance coverage that you have been paying for and to which you are entitled. Contact the experienced disaster recovery attorneys at Ged Lawyers, LLP today to schedule a free case review, and get the support you need to receive the coverage that you deserve.
