Boarding up windows Archives

Being Hurricane Preparedness Week and with hurricane season quickly approaching, it is important you and your family are prepared by planning ahead. To prepare before the storm, we suggest focusing on four areas: Hurricane information & evacuation plan, strengthening your home & business, updating & reviewing your insurance policy, and stocking your supplies.

Hurricane Information & Evacuation Plan

If you live in a hurricane prone area, it is critical that you have a list of ways you can get trusted hurricane information readily available. We suggest bookmarking National Weather Service, Ready and national news outlets on your mobile devices for immediate access to information. In addition, social media can be a great source of real time updates — Join the latest Facebook group for the named Hurricane to receive multiple updates from various sources.

For your safety, planning a general evacuation plan and knowing alternative routes can save you time and stress when a hurricane strikes. When a hurricane is approaching, make sure you communicate your evacuation plan with someone else outside of the storm’s path.

Corner business with windows boarded up

Strengthen Your Home & Business

Take a walk around your home and your business and look at areas that may be vulnerable in the event of a hurricane. Trimming trees regularly can help prevent excessive broken branches that can cause damage. Minimizing the number of outside loose items, such as patio furniture & recreational equipment, will reduce the amount of time you need to properly secure the items prior to the storm hitting. In advance, we recommend having the necessary materials to board up any windows to protect them from flying debris.

If you have not had your roof or property inspected in the past 12 months, we recommend having a contractor or public adjuster confirm the structural integrity of your roof and home. The inspection will include photos and documentation of the current condition of your home. Should your home experience damage during a hurricane, the inspection documentation will be crucial evidence in getting your home back to its prior condition. We offer free home inspections — Give us a call today to schedule!

Update & Review Your Insurance Policy

We recommend having your insurance policy reviewed by a third party for a detailed review of coverage. Flooding is the leading cause of damage from hurricanes and many policyholders in hurricane prone areas are not required to have this coverage. In addition, your insurance policy may outline specific preparation steps that are required in order to ensure damages are covered. Our team of legal experts provide free policy reviews and will outline any gaps in your current coverage, and what steps must be taken prior to the storm hitting per your policy. If you’d like to have your policy reviewed — Contact us or send your policy to info@premier-claims.com.

Prepare before the storm Hurricane Preparation Checklist

Stock Your Supplies

Waiting until the hurricane is announced to stock your supplies could put you at risk of being unable to obtain the emergency supplies you need. According to Chuck Duncan, a Florida Ace Hardware employee in a local interview with CBS 4 News, says it is normal for residents to wait until the announcement before they head to the stores for supplies: “Usually within a few days after it comes out that it [the hurricane] is coming this way, they start coming in.”

During and after a hurricane, you may need supplies to keep your family safe and healthy. However, once a hurricane is announced, there is a mass surge of people going to stores and supplies are limited. We recommend gathering supplies early in the season in May or June prior to a potential hurricane hitting land. You can be prepared by including the following:

Emergency supply of food & water
Emergency first aid kit & medicine supply
Emergency power sources, such as flashlights, batteries, charges, etc.
Safety & personal items
Important documents, such as medical documents, passports, policy documents, etc.
Tools & equipment for safety, such as fire extinguisher, pocket knife, etc.

For a full list of items you may need, you can find a checklist here: Download Checklist

Hurricanes are costly and can cause damage hundreds of miles from the shore. Being prepared ahead of time can be critical for your safety and recovery after the hurricane. Continue to follow us this week for more information and resources to prepare for this upcoming hurricane season!

Additional Resources

Florida Disaster
CDC Preparing for a Hurricane
National Weather Service Hurricane Plan

Dealing with the aftermath of a large storm is stressful but strategic planning will make things easier. What can you do to prepare a storm?

1. Inspect Your Property

Take photos of your property including siding, the roof, and soft metals, like vents and gutters. This will create a record of the state of the property prior to the storm, which makes it easier afterward in the event of sustained damage.

2. Obtain a Copy of Your Insurance Policy

A full copy of your insurance policy is one of the most important documents you should always have on-hand. Many policyholders are unaware of their coverages, deductibles, or exclusions. Oftentimes, a feature that saves you $$$ on your premium, just might impact your wallet even harder in the event of a claim.

3. Have A Working Back-Up Generator

Don’t get caught in the last-minute mania that invariably occurs every storm season – Generators are in high demand immediately prior and after a storm. If you have a generator— excellent! Double-check and make sure it’s in working order. If you don’t have one, avoid procrastination pitfalls and get one ASAP.

4. Add An Extra Layer of Protection

Anything is vulnerable to damage when storms throw their weight around, and that is especially true for windows. Boarding up windows with plywood will give them that extra layer of protection to avoid wind-driven rain from damaging the interior, which could be damage excluded in your policy.

5. Create An Inventory Of Your Property

When it comes to your personal property, documentation is key. Ensuring that documentation is retrievable post storm is crucial. Make sure you have digital copies of your documentation including photos of your property, receipts, or any other evidence related to your property.

6. Have An Emergency Bag

Have supplies ready incase of evacuation or if you get stranded on your property.

Include in your Emergency Bag:

Water
Phone with Portable Charger (or Power bank)
Flashlights or Lanterns
Non-Perishable Food
Ice, Coolers, Dry Ice, Gel Packs to keep perishables cold
First Aid Kit

Similar to generators, necessities like water will fly off the shelves in severe weather situations. Ensuring you are equipped with the essentials ahead of time will reduce the inevitable stress of the current circumstances.

**For additional tips to prepare for a storm check out Consumer Reports

7. Make A Evacuation Plan

Hopefully, you won’t need to execute it, but it’s important to have an evacuation plan in place. Having a plan prepared will enable you to get you and your loved ones to safety quickly.

Property damaged in the storm? Need a policy review?

You may want to consider hiring a Public Adjuster. Premier Claims is a Public Adjusting Firm, and we work for you, the insured. Your insurance agent may sell you insurance, but at the end of the day, they work for the insurance company. We work for YOU.

Prepare Before the Storm