The most important thing that Florida homeowners can do is to be prepared. Hurricanes and tropical storms are simply part of life in Florida, so knowing what to do before and after a storm is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your home.

What To Do Before, During, and After a Hurricane

From an insurance perspective, there are several actions you should take to make sure you are ready for Florida hurricane season. Start by preparing a detailed home inventory and being familiar with your Florida Home Insurance coverage now, so if a storm hits, you will have plenty of time to take care of other preparations and evacuate if necessary. 

Here are some additional steps you can take before and after the storm in order to prepare your family and stay safe. 

• Prepare a disaster supply kit. 
• Develop a family hurricane preparedness plan well before an actual storm threatens your area. 
• Comply with all evacuations orders, and do not delay your departure. If possible, leave well before the evacuation deadline to avoid traffic jams and gas shortages. 
• If you can’t make arrangements to stay with a friend or relative and must stay in a hotel, be sure to make reservations in advance. 
• If you can’t find an available motel, go to a public shelter as a last resort. Bring your disaster/emergency supply kit with you to the shelter. 
• Make sure that you fill up your car with gas before you leave.

After the storm subsides, you may be allowed back into your residence only to find significant damage to your home. Here are a few things you can do to get started on your recovery. 

• After the water recedes, clean and repair damage as much as possible to reduce mold. 
• Be sure to wear protective equipment when cleaning mold and other contaminants.
• Throw out any spoiled or contaminated food.
• Turn on your utilities after it is safe to do so. 
• Take photos of any damage before doing any cleanup or repairs. 
• Perform temporary repairs that are necessary to prevent further damage (e.g., pump and dry the water out of your basement or any area that is flooded). 
• Call a professional cleaning service for help with cleaning water and mold damage. 

You’ll need to contact your insurance company as soon as possible. You’ll work with a claim representative on getting repairs made, as well as coordinating any other coverage that you have (e.g., temporary housing). Most insurance policies will cover the damage after you've paid your deductible. 

Remember that flood damage is not covered by your regular insurance policy. If you have Florida flood insurance, contact your flood insurance company, as well. 

You may also need to contact FEMA. FEMA provides assistance to individuals and families who have lost their homes as a result of a presidentially declared disaster. By law, FEMA assistance cannot duplicate the assistance you receive from your insurance company, but you may receive assistance for items not covered by insurance.  

While some housing assistance funds (grants that don’t have to be paid back) are available, most disaster assistance from the Federal government is in the form of low interest disaster loans administered by the Small Business Administration. 

How to Prepare for a Hurricane in Florida

Whether you’re evacuating or you’re riding out the storm in your home, it’s very important for you to secure your home and your belongings in order to prevent or minimize damage. 

These tips can help you protect your home from damaging winds, storm surge, and flooding:

• Cover all of your windows with hurricane shutters or wood. Tape may help but may not be sufficient to prevent the window from breaking. 
• If possible, use straps or clips to securely fasten your roof to the structure of your home.
• Trim all trees and shrubs and clear your rain gutters.
• Reinforce your garage doors.
• Bring in all outdoor furniture, garbage cans, decorations, and anything else that is not tied down.

How to Stay Safe at All Times During a Hurricane in Florida

If you can’t evacuate before the storm or stay in a public shelter, there are a number of steps you can take to stay safe while you shelter in your home. 

• Remain indoors in a small interior bedroom, bathroom, closet, or hallway on the lowest level of your home
• Stay away from windows and glass doors
• Close all interior doors, and brace external doors
• Keep your curtains and window blinds closed
• Lie under a table, mattress, or another sturdy object
• If your home is in danger of flooding, do not ride out the storm in a storm cellar or a basement
• Minimize hazards by turning off propane tanks and unplugging small appliances

It’s also important to listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical information from the National Weather Service. Monitor local TV and radio announcements for instructions, and be sure to have a battery-operated radio. 

How Can I Keep My Valuables Safe During a Hurricane in Florida?

You’re likely very worried about keeping your valuables safe during a hurricane. Whether you own jewelry, electronics, antiques, or artwork, you can take steps to protect them from the storm. And in the worst-case scenario where some of your valuables are lost or destroyed, you’ll be covered if you’ve kept your Florida homeowners insurance up to date. 

First, how can you physically protect your valuables during the storm? 

• Smaller items like jewelry, family heirlooms and photographs, flash drives, and small electronics, can easily be placed in a portable, weather-proof safe inside of your home. If you evacuate, you can take the safe with you. 
• Store certain valuables in a safe deposit box at a bank. 
• Move larger valuables to higher ground. Take electronics, artwork, or antiques to the highest level of your home or even to the attic. 

If you do lose any valuables, it’s likely that your Florida homeowners insurance will cover them. But before the storm hits, be sure to review your valuables coverage to make sure it is sufficient. 

While your Florida home insurance policy does provide jewelry coverage, for example, it is likely quite limited. Most insurance companies limit jewelry coverage to $1,000 to $5,000 after your deductible. Fortunately, you can increase the coverage limits on your valuable jewelry in two ways. You can increase the “special limits of liability” for the jewelry category of your homeowners insurance policy. This increase in your jewelry “blanket coverage” will provide a higher overall coverage limit for all of your jewelry. 

If increasing your blanket jewelry coverage is not the right option for you, you can add a scheduled personal property rider to your home insurance policy. This will increase the individual coverage limit on the specified items.

These tactics can be used to increase your coverage limits for other valuables, as well, including artwork, electronics, antiques, and more. In order to be sure you’ve got enough coverage, prepare a detailed inventory of your valuables. Include the date you purchased each item, how much you paid for it and where it was purchased. Keep any other pertinent information as well, such as receipts and a photo. Store your inventory in a safe place away from home. 

Be sure to get appraisals of your valuable items. Only a proper professional appraisal can provide you with the true value of your items and how much insurance coverage you need.

How Can an Agent Help Me Stay Safe During a Hurricane in Florida?

Your Florida independent insurance agent can help you recover from a hurricane by helping you make sure you have sufficient homeowners insurance. 

Your agent can help you review your homeowners insurance every year. If you live in a hurricane zone, it is even more important to know what is covered, what is not, and what you need to do to ensure your claims are handled properly. An independent insurance agent can help you with all areas of your Florida homeowners insurance. 

• Invest in guaranteed replacement cost coverage: A guaranteed replacement cost policy pays to rebuild your home regardless of the cost. You should have enough coverage to rebuild your home and replace its contents. 
• Find out if your Florida homeowners policy provides coverage for additional living expenses: This coverage pays for hotels and meals if you cannot live in your home because of damage caused by a hurricane. 
• Consider flood insurance: Standard homeowners or renters insurance does not cover flood and/or storm-surge damage. Flood insurance is available through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program and by some private insurance companies. 
• Be sure to understand your deductible: Many homeowners insurance policies issued in coastal states include separate hurricane deductibles. Know whether a hurricane deductible applies to your policy and how it will affect your claim.