Recent studies have shown that securing openings in your home, especially your garage, can help protect your home from serious damage caused by hurricanes. (iStock)
A recent survey shows that while homeowners can take steps to prepare for hurricane damage, many still need to do so.
According to the Federal Alliance for Safe Housing (FLASH), 47% of respondents said they have no plan to harden their homes against hurricanes in 2023. investigationAdditionally, 59% of respondents said they are not preparing for what is expected to be a very active hurricane season this year.
Colorado State University hurricane researcher Predicted The 2024 season will run from June 1 to November 30 and will see 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes and five major hurricanes. Typical The Atlantic hurricane season produces 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.
While the majority of respondents said they did not prepare because they did not think the hurricane would affect their home, inland communities are still at risk for storm damage. Hurricanes can travel up to 100-200 miles inland, posing a flooding threat to these communities, so preparing for residual damage from a storm could save homeowners money if they suffer weather-related damage.
Other reasons respondents cited for choosing not to prepare their home included affordability, cost and lack of knowledge on how to prepare.
“These findings suggest that targeting messages about potential wind and flood risks (especially inland), affordable preparedness options, and how to prepare can increase the number of people who take action,” the study said.
Homeowners should prepare for what is likely to be an active hurricane season, and if you want to ensure you have adequate insurance and the right coverage for your needs, visit Credible to learn about plans, providers, and costs.
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Time to review the policy
The first step for homeowners is to make sure they have adequate coverage. report According to the Insurance Information Institute.
Rising inflation is increasing the cost of repairing and replacing damage to homes. Some homeowners find themselves surprised by the rising costs and are underinsured. Being underinsured often means having an insurance policy that only covers a portion of the claims due to deductible clauses and coverage limits. Research shows that policyholders may face higher out-of-pocket costs if their coverage is increased and replacement values are not increased.
“With the cost of rebuilding your home increasing by more than 55% since 2019 due to rising costs of construction materials and labor, you should ask your insurance professional if you have the right amount of coverage to rebuild or repair your home, replace your belongings, and cover temporary living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable,” said Shawn Keverigan, CEO of Triple I. “You should also ask about flood insurance, which can be added to your standard homeowners, condo, renters, and small business insurance policies. Nearly 90% of natural disasters in the U.S. involve flooding, making most areas of the country flood-prone.”
If you have a mortgage, you’re usually required to have homeowners insurance, but you don’t have to be tied to a particular insurance company. If you want to save money on your home insurance, shop around for the best rates. Credible helps you compare home insurance rates from major insurance companies in one place.
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How to prepare your home for a hurricane
Other measures to ensure your home is adequately protected from damage include making it more durable. Homeowners should take simple measures such as trimming trees around their property and securing furniture and other items in the yard to minimise the chances of damage.
A FLASH survey found that more homeowners are willing to spend more than $1,000 to prepare for hurricane damage compared to last year’s storm season. One key factor homeowners should consider is protecting all openings in their home, including doors, windows and garages. Reinforcing garage doors, in particular, provides the most protection against high winds and is one of the most important ways to mitigate devastating and costly hurricane damage.
“Garage doors are the largest and most vulnerable opening in a home, and post-hurricane studies have shown that when hurricane winds and debris impact a home, garage doors are more than 90% likely to fail first, causing extensive damage or being completely destroyed,” FLASH president and CEO Leslie Chapman Henderson said in a statement. “Homeowners need to understand that with an investment of less than $750, they can protect their home from the most extensive and costly damage.”
Whether you’re concerned about hurricane damage, tornado damage, wind damage, flood damage, or any other type of damage, it’s best to get multiple quotes from multiple insurance companies to compare prices and coverage. To find the best rates for your situation, visit Credible to compare multiple insurance companies at once and choose the best option for you.
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