Hurricane season can be a devastating time, especially for those who live on the Atlantic coast. These residents are susceptible to the destructive winds and rains from tropical storms and hurricanes.

 

The season lasts from June 1st through November 30th. Even if a hurricane doesn’t reach the state of North Carolina, the residents here often experience severe weather such as floods and thunderstorms all throughout the season.

 

Helping Insure Your Home from Hurricane Damage Before, During and After the Storm

 

Although it can be difficult to prevent all types of damage caused by these powerful storms, there are a few things that you can do to maximize your chances of keeping your property safe as well as your family.

 

How to Help Protect Your Home and Stay Safe Before the Storm

 

• Close all your doors and windows as well as all hurricane shutters. You can use plywood to board up the windows and doors if your home doesn’t have hurricane shutters installed.
• Once you have your home secure, you should evacuate immediately, especially if you live in a flood zone or a mobile home.
• Make sure your car has a full tank of gas. Once the electricity goes out, many gas stations in the area will not be able to provide gasoline until the power is back on.
• Be sure to charge your cell phone and any power banks that you have before the power goes out.
• Create a storm emergency kit with your family that has 72 hours’ worth of water, food, medication and some other useful supplies you and your family may need.

 

How to Help Protect Your Home During a Hurricane

 

If you must stay at home during the storm, you should keep these important safety tips in mind.

 

• Always stay indoors and stay away from any windows, glass doors or skylights.
• If severe flooding is heading your way, turn off all the electricity in your home at the main breaker.
• Only use your phone for emergencies to conserve the battery life.
• Listen to a battery-operated radio for more information on the storm.
• Wait until officials have issued that it is safe to go back outside.

 

What to Do After the Storm

 

Following the storm, once it’s safe to go outside, it’s time to assess the damage.

• Always be aware of extensive flooding or rainfall that can occur long after the storm has passed.
• Stay away from damaged or dangling power lines. If possible, report the damage to your local electric company.
• If the power was out for several hours or days, be sure to throw out any spoiled food in your refrigerator or freezer.
• Be sure to take photos of all damage that has occurred to your property for your homeowner’s insurance coverage.

 

Will Homeowner’s Insurance Help Protect from Hurricane Damage?

 

Your homeowner’s insurance policy may or may not cover damage caused by a hurricane. Your location is one of the most significant factors. The closer that you live to the coast or flood zones, the less likely your homeowner’s insurance will cover the damage.

 

Other factors that will contribute to whether your insurance policy will cover the damage from the storm include the type of home that you have and how well it can sustain the damage, any limitations that your plan has in place, and the amount of coverage that you have purchased. You will also need to consider the type of damage that is caused by the storm.

 

Most standard homeowner’s plans usually cover Hurricane damage caused by wind. However, some policies will rule out any wind-related damage. Your homeowner’s insurance policy will not cover property damage that is caused by flooding during a hurricane in most cases. In North Carolina, you may be able to take out a separate policy for flood insurance that will help cover the cost of the damage.

 

There are a few exceptions to the rules. If hurricane winds cause damage to your roof, your policy may cover it even if it doesn’t cover standard wind damage. That is because the damage could cause rain to get inside your home and damage your belongings.

 

Learn More by Taking Out a Home Insurance Policy To Help Protect Your Home

 

If you are unsure about your current homeowner’s insurance policy and what it covers, you can get the facts and make any necessary changes to your plan by contacting your local insurance agency in North Carolina today.

 

To learn more about coverage for hurricane damage, contact our agents at ProtectiveAgency  or call (877) 739-9367. Our licensed insurance agents will be happy to answer any questions you have.