MIAMI – As the U.S. enters the most active part of hurricane season, insurers are encouraging consumers to prepare for peak season activity by taking steps to reduce the potential for damage to their home or business.
“Insurers understand that many homeowners are struggling right now amid rising housing costs, including insurance. Many insurers offer premium discounts for mitigation measures that help reduce the likelihood of a loss or the extent of damage,” says Michael Richmond-Crum, senior director of personal lines at APCIA. “Discounts vary by company, so policyholders should talk to their insurer or agent to see what discounts are available.”
The following steps are low-cost ways homeowners can strengthen their property before peak hurricane season:
- Start by checking around your home or business and trimming back any nearby branches or trees, especially ones that hang over or close to your home.
- Inspect the roof and repair any loose or damaged shingles.
- Secure loose gutters and seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors to prevent water intrusion.
- Installing a wind-rated garage door or hurricane shutters and upgrading the home to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s Fortified construction standard are additional measures to consider.
More frequent and severe natural disasters have caused record-breaking insured losses in recent years as more people are living and building in catastrophe-prone areas like the hurricane-exposed coastline and the wildland urban interface. Not only are more homes being built in areas that are at high-risk for natural disasters, but these homes are increasingly more expensive to repair and rebuild as inflation has driven up the cost of construction labor and materials.
“To help make insurance more affordable and available long-term, we must all work together to increase our resiliency and reduce losses from severe weather,” added Richmond-Crum.
Insurers are proactively engaged in efforts to address long-term weather losses and advocate for stronger mitigation and adaptation efforts and building codes. Insurers invest in building safety research through the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety to help develop real-world, actionable solutions for consumers and communities.
Additional ways to be better prepared for peak hurricane season:
- Review and update your homeowner’s insurance policy to ensure you have the right amount and right types of coverage, including flood insurance.
- Make a home inventory using your cell phone to take pictures and videos of your home and your home’s contents.
- Gather copies of your home, auto, and flood insurance policies and keep them in a safe, accessible place.
- Save your insurer’s contact info to your phone’s contacts so you can easily and quickly start the claims process if your home is damaged.
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