Submitted by:
Edward “Skip” Strohm
A natural disaster can leave you reeling financially as well as emotionally. You can minimize a storm’s impact on your home or business with the proper insurance coverage.
June 1 marked the official start of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. The season will run through Nov. 30, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says it is expected to produce “above average” activity — which would make this the seventh above-average season in a row.
The Strohm Agency wants to make sure you and our policy holders are prepared should a storm hit. We want to share a few of our best insurances tips for hurricane season. Knowing and putting into practice these insurance tips, on how to prepare for a storm before it arrives, may help accelerate the recovery process should it be required.
Review Your Insurance Policy. Policy holders should thoroughly review their policy to better understand the coverages they have purchased. Make sure you have all the proper coverage you need, and, as a reminder, flood insurance is not included in your homeowner policy. Should you wish to be covered in case of a flood, call your agent.
Check your homeowner’s policy limit and make sure the amount is enough to rebuild or repair your home. Standard homeowners’ insurance covers the structure of your home for disasters such as hurricanes and windstorms, along with a host of other disasters. It’s important to understand the elements that might affect your insurance payout after a hurricane and adjust your policies accordingly.
Understand your hurricane/windstorm deductible. Insurers in every coastal state from Maine to Texas include separate deductibles for hurricanes and/or windstorms in their homeowner’s policies. A hurricane deductible is applied only to hurricanes, whereas windstorm deductible applies to any type of wind. If your policy has a hurricane deductible, it will clearly state the specific “trigger” that would cause the deductible to go into effect.
Complete a Home Inventory. Homeowners should make an inventory list, taking note of the model, date of purchase, and price of their home’s items. By using a camera or smartphone, homeowners can easily take pictures or videos to document the contents in the home. It is recommended to send the inventory list via email, making them accessible from another location in the case of being unable to return to the home.
Safely Store Important Documents. Important documents such as passports, certificates and insurance papers should all be safely stored prior to a storm. Homeowners should make sure their policy number is included in these documents. Make sure you know the proper channels to report a claim should your home experience damage.
The Strohm Agency covers insurance for a variety of needs, whether it’s a new house or rental, auto insurance for the family car, commercial coverage for that new business or life insurance to protect your family – they want to make sure their clients and their most valuable assets and family are well taken care of. They have access to a group of insurers providing insurance for automobiles, homes and small businesses and a wide range of other insurance and financial services and products.
The Strohm Agency office is conveniently located two buildings south of the Apopka Post Office, right above Rita’s Ice Cream, at 515 N Park Ave, Ste. 204. To reach him, you can call (407) 605-0415. Both English and Spanish are spoken and welcomed.
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