Most property insurance policies provide coverage for losses resulting from hurricanes, except for flood loss associated with the hurricane. However, some policies only provide limited coverage for hurricanes, or require that a higher deductible be purchased specifically for the hurricane peril. Most states with risk of loss from hurricanes have government mandated insurance plans that provide hurricane coverage to property owners who are unable to obtain insurance through the voluntary market.

 

Hurricane Insurance Coverage

• Homeowner’s insurance typically covers the cost to repair common hurricane damage—including damage to roofs and walls, cars and your inventory or belongings
  
•  Review your insurance policy once a year to make sure you have enough coverage to rebuild based on current construction costs
  
• Flood Damage from Hurricanes Isn’t Covered by Property Insurance

 Hurricane Claims

If you own a house that is located along the ocean, bay or within a coastal county, your home may be vulnerable to wind damage caused by a hurricane. It is important to take preventative measures to help protect your family, home and possessions. Here are some things you could do.

Protect Personal Belongings and Important Documents

• Jewelry and collectibles. Valuables should be inventoried and stored in a secure location (such as an inland bank safety deposit box). If off-site storage is not possible, then place these items in a waterproof container and store in an interior closet
  
• Personal documents. Keep all important papers such as legal papers, birth certificates, marriage certificate, financial papers, and insurance policy information in a bank safe deposit box or other off-site storage, or in waterproof secured containers
  

Damage Prevention Steps

Clear loose objects. Bring outside patio and lawn furniture, potted plants, and outdoor bicycles and toys indoors. Help your neighbor bring in their backyard items as well so these items do not become flying objects that impact your home. Be sure all awnings are closed and secured. Tie down any other loose items that may become projectiles in a high wind

• Reinforce windows & doors. Be sure it is strongly secured
•  Reinforce your garage door
  
• Move furniture and household fixtures. Move them away from exterior door and window openings. If possible, elevate these items and cover them with plastic
  
• Secure household appliances. Appliances, including personal computers, should be unplugged and stored away in cabinets or interior closets
• Test and refuel your backup generator. If you’ve installed a gas-powered generator as a backup power supply in your home, regularly test it to ensure that it is operational at the time you need it
  

 What is covered in your basement?

Under Building Coverage

• Foundation walls, anchorage systems, and staircases attached to the building
  
• Central air conditioners
•  Cisterns and the water in them
•  Drywall for walls and ceilings (in basements only)
  
• Nonflammable insulation (in basements only)
  
• Electrical outlets, switches, and circuit breaker boxes
  
• Fuel tanks and the fuel in them, solar energy equipment, well water tanks and pumps
  
• Furnaces, hot water heaters, heat pumps, and sump pumps

 Under Personal Property coverage

• Washers and dryers
•  Food freezers and the food in them (but not refrigerators)
  

What is NOT covered in your basement?

• Paneling, bookcases, and window treatments such as curtains and blinds
•  Carpeting, area carpets,& other floor coverings such as tile
•  Drywall for walls and ceilings (below lowest elevated floor)
  
• Walls and ceilings not made of drywall
•  Most personal property such as clothing, electronic equipment, kitchen supplies, and furniture
  

What is NOT covered at all with the NFIP?

• Damage caused by moisture, mildew, or mold that could have been avoided by the property owner
  
• Currency, precious metals, and valuable papers such as stock certificates
  
• Property and belongings outside of a building such as trees, plants, wells, septic systems, walks, decks, patios, fences, seawalls, hot tubs, and swimming pools
  
• Living expenses such as temporary housing
•  Financial losses caused by business interruption or loss of use of insured property
  
•  Most self-propelled vehicles such as cars, including their parts
  

Coverage under Building Property coverage

• The insured building and its foundation
  
• The electrical and plumbing systems
  
• Central air conditioning equipment, furnaces, and water heaters
  
• Refrigerators, cooking stoves, and built-in appliances such as dishwashers
•  Permanently installed carpeting over an unfinished floor
  
• Permanently installed paneling, wallboard, bookcases, and cabinets Window blinds
•  Detached garages (up to 10 percent of Building Property coverage).
•  Detached buildings (other than garages) require a separate Building Property policy
  
• Debris removal
  

Non-coverage by either Building Property coverage or Personal Property coverage

• Damage caused by moisture, mildew, or mold that could have been avoided by the property owner
  
•  Currency, precious metals, and valuable papers such as stock certificates
•  Property and belongings outside of a building such as trees, plants, wells, septic systems, walks, decks, patios, fences, seawalls, hot tubs, and swimming pools
  
• Living expenses such as temporary housing
•  Financial losses caused by business interruption or loss of use of insured property
  
•  Most self-propelled vehicles such as cars, including their parts
  

Tips for Filing Your Insurance Claim

• Contact your agent or insurance company
  
•  Call your agent or insurance company as soon as possible to begin the claims process. If possible, have the following information with you when you place your call: (1) the name of your insurance company; (2) your policy number; and (3) a telephone number/e-mail address where you can be reached.
  
• If you can’t locate your policy information or need help contacting your insurance company, call 1-800-427-4661 to talk to a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) insurance specialist. They can help you locate your insurance company and connect you directly to your insurance company claims specialist.
•  When you file your claim, ask for an approximate time frame for when an adjuster will be assigned. If you live in an area where catastrophic damages occurred please be patient, as some of these areas are inaccessible.
  

Companies providing Hurricane Insurance

The Allstate Corporation

2775 Sanders Road

Northbrook, IL 60062

847-402-5000

Phone: 1-800-ALLSTATE (1-800-255-7828)

Chubb Group of Insurance Cos

15 Mountain View Road

Warren, NJ 07059

Telephone: (908) 903-2000

Fax: (908) 903-2027

Phone: 800-CLAIMS-0 (800-252-4670)

The Hartford

One Hartford Plaza

Hartford, CT 06155

Phone: 800-243-5860

Mapfre/Commerce Insurance

211 Main Street Webster,

MA 01570-2249

Phone: Massachusetts 1-800-221-1605

Phone: New Hampshire 1-800-513-4813

 

FEMA Contact

• www.fema.gov
  
• www.floodsmart.gov
  
• FEMA Phone: 1-800-427-2419
  

Leading Hurricane Insurance Broker – www.foundersgrp.com