5 Insurance Tips for Homeowners During Hurricane Season

Do you have the right insurance for hurricane season? Many homeowners in Texas find themselves in a difficult situation after a natural disaster. Most insurance policies offer general coverage, but may not offer complete coverage for storm damage. At Daic Law, we want you to be prepared for hurricane season. That’s why we’ve compiled these 5 insurance tips to help homeowners get the most out of their insurance coverage.

Do I Need Insurance for Hurricane Season?

For the more than nine million homeowners living in coastal areas of Texas, insuring your property against natural disasters can offer peace of mind and provide coverage for repairing or replacing property. Hurricane Rita (2005) and Hurricane Ike (2008) were two of the costliest hurricanes in U.S. history. Both hurricanes made landfall in Texas resulting in almost $11 billion in property damage or losses. Since then, a number of tropical storms and hurricanes have caused damage to homes and businesses along the Texas coastline. With increasingly active tropical storm seasons, it is more important than ever for homeowners to have the right insurance for hurricane season.

5 Insurance Tips for Homeowners

Running from June until November, we are in the heart of hurricane season. Make sure that your property is adequately covered by considering the following insurance tips:

1. Review Policy and Coverage Limits: Whether home or business, review your policy and coverage limits to identify gaps or adjust coverage accordingly. Home values, improvements to property, and other factors may affect your insurance coverage and limits.
2. Explore Windstorm Insurance: In Texas, homeowners in the 14 coastal counties have the option of purchasing specialized windstorm insurance. Most homeowners (and renters) insurance policies in these areas do not include windstorm coverage in their base policies. If you want to add windstorm coverage, make sure you do it before hurricane season, as you will not be able to purchase insurance coverage once a storm has developed in the Gulf of Mexico.
3. Explore Flood Insurance: Like wind coverage, flood insurance is not included in most standard homeowners or business insurance policies. Purchasing flood insurance is important, especially in coastal or low-lying areas. Rising water causes billions of dollars of damage every year, and it is important that your property is protected.
4. Inventory Your Home: The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) recommends making a full inventory of your home and property in the event of a natural disaster. Keep this inventory in a safe place and use it when filing insurance claims.
5. Review Auto Insurance Coverage: Per Texas state law, all drivers are required to have liability insurance on their vehicle at all times. This insurance does not offer coverage if your vehicle is damaged by a natural disaster, flood, fire, theft, or hail. For this protection, you need what is called “comprehensive” insurance coverage, which covers damage or loss other than from a collision.

Get Advice about Insurance for Hurricane Season

If you have questions about insurance coverage, filing a claim, resolving a dispute, or understanding your legal rights as a policyholder, contact Daic Law to get answers and advice. Our consumer protection and insurance recovery attorney can help you understand your insurance and your options when your property is damaged or destroyed. We can also help ensure that your claim is processed and resolved appropriately, legally, and in your best interests.

To get started, call us at 877-893-6040, or email us at info@daiclaw.com. We help clients throughout Texas find resolution for matters involving insurance, business disputes, debt defense, and personal injury.

Sources:

• http://www.iii.org/article/texas-hurricane-insurance-fact-file
• http://www.tdi.texas.gov/news/2015/ho5222015.html