Six Ways to Prepare for a Hurricane: HOMEE’s Guide to Minimizing Property Damage
Hurricane season is fast approaching, and HOMEE wants you to be prepared. Between high winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surge, wind and flood damage are real dangers to your property during a hurricane. Here’s your guide to weathering the storm:
1. Check your insurance policy.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), not all plans cover weather-related damage. For instance, your policy might protect you against damage from wind, but not from flooding. Review your policy carefully at the start of every hurricane season and be sure to fill any gaps in coverage.
2. Take photos for insurance claims.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recommends that you walk through your property and take photos and videos of its pre-storm condition, along with any of your valuables. This will serve as proof for your insurer of your home’s previous state, which may prevent claims denials or delays. All photographs and videos should be backed up to the cloud in the event that the device you store them on is damaged during the hurricane.
3. Hurricane-proof your roof (and windows).
The most important step in safeguarding your property is getting a professional to inspect your roof and windows. Vulnerabilities like weak seals or frames and loose shingles or backed-up gutters can lead to hazards like flooding, broken glass, and more.
When you hire a professional to inspect your property, they’ll have the expertise to look out for common weaknesses and make recommendations to reinforce its structural integrity. They may also suggest additional protection, like storm shutters and hurricane straps, to minimize damage. This step is critical to ensure your home stays secure during the storm.
4. Prepare your yard.
Before a storm, clear your yard of anything that isn’t secured or tied down. Yard signs, lawn ornaments, seasonal decor, debris, and more can all become projectiles when the powerful winds of a hurricane come to call. Additionally, consider having a professional inspect your trees to ensure their integrity—particularly if they’re close enough to your property to cause damage when they fall. FEMA recommends that you trim any weak branches or trees for this reason. Surveying your yard in this way will help mitigate the chance of further damage.
5. Move any costly assets to higher ground.
The closer you are to sea level, the greater the risk of flooding during a hurricane. If you have any important, sentimental, or costly assets, moving them to higher ground is vital for minimizing the cost of destruction.
6. Test your backup generator.
Routinely test your backup generator to confirm it’s functioning properly. The City of Miami strongly advises that you familiarize yourself with your equipment, so you can operate it safely when you need it most. We also recommend getting regular maintenance done so you can catch any problems as they arise—and not when you’re in the middle of an emergency.
Get Reliable Help When Disaster Strikes
HOMEE’s Pro Marketplace ensures you always have access to vetted and experienced service providers in your area. We manage property claims from start to finish, getting repairs done 25% faster than the competition and ensuring a swift and easy return to normalcy for all policyholders. The icing on the cake? Our industry-leading, 5-year workmanship warranty is here to give you peace of mind.
Get in touch with us today at claims@homee.com or give us a call to learn more about how HOMEE is here for you.
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