In this article, we will discuss how to survive a hurricane. Most of the time here in Florida, we are grateful to experience the warm, tropical weather that Florida is famous for. There is a reason that this state is a top vacation spot for those loving golf and sandy beaches. Every so often, though, this peaceful state is affected by hurricanes and other natural disasters. In these events, you want to have a few things sorted out.
Five Ways To Prepare For Hurricanes
While you wish you could do many things when the storm is coming, you should consider adding a few critical tasks to your hurricane prep checklist. Here are the five hurricane prep MUST dos:
1. Plan your evacuation route. Should the alarm sound, ensure you think as little as possible to reach a safe area.
2. Have an emergency kit on hand. If your area loses power, you must ensure you have what you need to keep your family warm, fed, and hydrated. It’s also valuable to add first aid items to this kit; you can never be too prepared.
3. Secure the exterior of your home. Hurricane prep for your home may include flood and damage prevention, such as boarding the windows and pilings sandbags around your home.
4. Protect valuable items. If you can store your most prized keepsakes in a waterproof container, you may thank yourself later!
5. Protect your home with insurance. Should your house, unfortunately, flood or worse, you will be glad if you have a premium insurance policy to help you rebuild your home.
What Shouldn’t You Do During A Hurricane?
While hurricane prep includes many things you SHOULD be doing, we feel there should also be some information on what you should NOT do during a hurricane. Because we have grown somewhat accustomed to these storms in Florida, you may not take the proper care needed for hurricane prep and safety. These powerful storms can cause grave injuries to people and property damage.
If you find yourself in a hurricane, the main thing you should not do is watch the storm through a window. While the majesty of high winds may be mesmerizing, those winds can bust through the window pane in seconds, and you should stay clear of the area. Another thing that should go without saying is that you should not go outside to feel the wind. The force of the wind could pick you up and deliver you down the street.
A few things that many may not know are that you should not operate electronic appliances or leave them plugged in. Power surges can cause damage to these items and can potentially cause a fire. Additionally, due to the intermittent lightning, showering or washing dishes can cause electrocution if your house were to be struck at the wrong time. We hope everyone prioritizes safety for themselves and their families during a natural disaster.
13 Tips for Storm Insurance
One thing you should have on your hurricane prep checklist is storm insurance. With this insurance, your home and possessions would be protected from any damage caused by a storm. What a relief! If you expect severe weather at any point in the future, here are 13 tips for storm insurance:
- Ask if your management company has storm policies and procedures in place. If they don’t have storm policies and procedures in place…run for the hills.
- Who is going to check your home after the storm has passed? If no one is scheduled to do this…run for the hills.
- Have you sent your property manager a copy of your current insurance policy? If not, there’s no time like the present. If your property manager asks you why you sent your insurance policy to them…run for the hills.
- Please take this opportunity to check your insurance policy and add your management company as additional insured. This shouldn’t cost you any extra. It will allow them to coordinate with your insurance company directly. If not, the insurance company may only want to deal with you. If your property manager says they don’t help process claims for owners…run for the hills.
- Will your management company rely on tenants to report any storm damage? Every home should be at least checked from the outside for storm damage by a maintenance supervisor or property manager. If not, run for the hills.
- If your home is in Florida, chances are you will have some blown-out screen panels, even if the storm didn’t come that close to your home. Most insurance policies don’t cover screen damage; please double-check yours.
- Will your management company send you a detailed storm damage report with photographs? Will they be able to send it to you and copy the insurance company within a few days of the damage….. If not, run for the hills.
- Do they have a maintenance team to provide temporary weatherproofing to your home, if needed? If not, run for the hills.
- Who will meet with your insurance claims assessor at your home? If your property manager suggests that the tenants can do this…run for the hills.
- If your tenants have had to move out as the home is uninhabitable, will your insurance cover you for loss of income?
- It’s best not to undertake major repairs until you’re certain that your insurance company has authorized the claim. Ensure your property manager knows this if not…. run for the hills.
- Check to see if your insurance company needs the repair work carried out by a licensed and insured building contractor.
- Ask your management company if they can handle the additional work needed to bring your home back to standard. If not…you know what…run for the hills.
If you’re not getting the responses you need from your management company and your home is located in Kissimmee, St Cloud, Davenport, or Orlando, why not give us a call and find out why our owners don’t run for the hills? Renter’s Choice Homes is dedicated to completing your hurricane prep checklist!
Phone USA: 407 933 2367
Phone UK: 0161 300 9595
hello@renterschoicehomes.com
