It’s that time of year again: June and the start of the Hurricane Season in Florida.
And as we tell ourselves every year, “This time we’ll be ready!”
Would you like to see something pretty cool? (Or scary, depending on your outlook.)
Check out this site from NOAA which shows all the major hurricanes that crossed Florida since the 1800’s.
Pick out your favorite (or your scariest) and see its track.
I remember the worst one for our home in West Boca was Wilma in 2005.
I think the reason it caused so much damage is that it came from the West across the Everglades.
We are used to Hurricanes coming east from the Atlantic, so it was able to hit our homes at their most vulnerable points.
And because the eye tracked right over us, we got hit with winds in both directions: clockwise and counter clockwise.
But that’s the unpredictability of Hurricanes.
Yes, there will be Hurricanes this season and they will make landfall.
And they can track in any direction.
Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate their impact on our homes and our families.
We strongly urge everyone to get ready now by going to Ready.gov and implementing the advice you will find there.
At Ready.gov, you’ll find all the tips and plans you’ll need to get your family and your home ready for Hurricane season.
Besides making a plan, they advise making a Hurricane Disaster Kit.
Here’s a tongue-in-cheek video about making a disaster kit.
Its’s time to locate and read your Home Insurance policy.
Pay special attention to the coverage and deductible.
Most Home Insurance policies have a higher deductible for Wind and Hurricane losses.
Many policies have a Hurricane deductible that’s equal to 2% of Dwelling coverage.
So for a house with $400,000 of Dwelling coverage, you will be expected to pay the first $8,000 of the claim.
They call that, “Skin in the Game”, and believe me, it hurts. So prepare ahead of time.
The idea is to keep any damage to an absolute minimum, because let’s face it, you are the one who will be paying for it.
If you have any questions about your Home Insurance coverage for Hurricane season, do not hesitate to contact Cronin Insurance.
And if you can’t find the Claims number for your Insurance Company, you can check out this page.
Home Policies DO NOT cover Flooding from Hurricanes.
Home Insurance policies will cover flooding where Wind Driven rain forces its way into cracks in windows and roofs.
These claims will be subject to that higher deductible, so now is the time to check for any cracks or say bye bye to thousands of dollars.
Home policies do not cover flooding that comes under your door and causes a giant “lake” between you and your neighbors.
Only a Flood policy will cover this kind of loss. And the National Flood Insurance Program has a 30 day wait before effective date.
So don’t delay – buy your Flood Policy sooner than later.
The Best Insurance is Being Prepared.
Go to Ready.gov.
Make a Hurricane Plan.
Make a Hurricane Disaster Kit and keep it handy and waterproof.
Share it with your Family.
And stay safe, hunkered down with your family until after the Hurricane passes.
And we’ll get through Hurricane Season 2021 just fine, thank you.
If you have any questions about your insurance, contact Cronin Insurance.
Low rates, choice of companies, and personal advice.
Cronin Insurance is the Wise Choice.
