How to Prepare for Severe Spring Weather with Home Insurance

Severe weather is nothing to mess with, and we never know when the next big storm or weather event will hit where we live. Different parts of the United States have various weather events that affect them more often than others, which is why weather proofing your home is so important.
We won’t always know what kind of weather we’ll have to deal with, but we can prepare our homes for severe spring weather this year. Here are a few ways to prepare your home for severe spring weather, and make sure your home insurance supports you and your home.
Weatherproof your home
Weatherproofing your home doesn’t have to be incredibly expensive, nor do you have to sacrifice your interior or exterior design to make your home safer. Here are a few ways you can make your home safer in case of severe spring weather.
Check your windows- make sure the seals aren’t broken, and that no air is leaking in our out around the frames. Windows can be broken in high winds, where debris may be tossed in the air. Windows can also be damaged by hailstorms. Investing in storm shutters can bolster your windows and, in some cases, could help reduce your home insurance payments.
Check your doors- make sure they are tight in their frames when shut to keep out wind and water. Doors should be framed correctly and steady on their hinges, not loose or wobbly.
Check your roof- check your roof for loose shingles or tiles, weak spots, or places where structural integrity has been lost. If you have trees around your home, a severe storm could knock one over into your home. Having a strong roof can minimize the amount of damage a tree and other debris could do to your home. Additionally, routine maintenance of your roof can keep you from having to make major extensive repairs in the future.
Check your foundations- if your area experiences heavy rainfall, you may be at risk for flood damage. Floods and fluctuations in the land below your home can cause your foundation to shift, resulting in cracks that could destabilize your home.
Home insurance coverage
If you do live in a location that experiences natural disasters like hurricanes, tornados, or earthquakes, make sure that your home insurance policy covers these events. If your home is damaged by a natural disaster or severe weather event, you want to make sure that you have the ability to financially recover and rebuild your home.
Having the right insurance coverage can ensure your ability to repair your home after a storm, or make preparations for severe spring weather before it’s too late. If you are able to weatherproof your home in advance of severe weather, your home is more likely to stay intact throughout the year.
Make sure to check your home insurance policy for gaps in coverage that may leave you vulnerable to severe weather. You may also qualify for discounts depending on the changes you make to your home.