Hurricane Insurance in St. Augustine, FL
Living in St. Augustine has many advantages. While the rest of the country is stuck shivering through snowstorms, we are usually snuggling up to the backyard BBQ. There might be plenty to do throughout the Sunshine State, but Florida is also known for the ferocity and high incidence of hurricane events that can greatly impact everyday life. The state is arguably the most prone to hurricane damage and as such, residents more often than not find it is generally a good idea to take a look at hurricane insurance and how it can benefit them.
Most people know the amount of damage a major hurricane can inflict on a neighborhood and/or city. Billions of dollars spent in repairing property damage is usually only the beginning. The individuals left to clean up, rebuild, and find a way to move on with life understandably find the aftermath to be the most challenging.
This is exactly why you need to be prepared.
Increasing your knowledge regarding options for hurricane insurance can only add to your future safety and sound peace of mind. A standard homeowner’s policy will give you coverage for limited wind damage to your home and property, but a policy from Harris Insurance, which includes hurricane coverage, can protect your home even further.
What is Hurricane Insurance?
Some homeowner’s insurance policies will cover you in the event of hurricane damage. If you have a hurricane or wind deductible listed on your home insurance policy, then you know you are covered. Those living in coastal areas, close to the water, and at a high risk of flooding should carry additional insurance for full property coverage. A combination of insurance policies geared towards wind and flood hurricane coverage is simply referred to as “hurricane insurance.”
Insurance can differ depending on the individual homeowner’s needs. You may find that you need additional coverage depending on your location or other risk factors explained here.
Different levels of hurricane insurance can protect both your home and other structures from wind damage. Not only can high winds damage walls and roofs, but they are also known to blow out gables, doors, and windows allowing for roof removal and water ingress and interior damage and can further contribute to the overall destruction of property.
Flooding is also a real threat from Hurricanes and the Tropical Storms affiliated with them. Not only is flooding a result of tidal surges or wind-driven water, a storm that saturates an area for hours or even days can bring flooding to areas that have never flooded before.
Are You Prepared for Hurricane Season?
We’ve developed The 2020 Harris Hurricane Handbook to tell you everything you need to think about in order to prepare for any level of storm that might turn your way. In this FREE Guide, you will find:
- Hurricane Preparation Checklist
- How to build an Emergency Kit
- Vital Insurance Information in regards to Hurricane Damage
- Tips for Evacuating or Staying in your Home
- What to do after the Storm
- And more!
Download your FREE Hurricane Resources Guide
This guide is AWESOME!!! Kuddos to you guys for creating such a valuable guide!
– Hannah F.
I wanted to thank you for sending the information about the potential for storms and how to be ready! We only moved here a few months ago from the midwest and need all the guidance we can get about local weather and readiness.
– Angie C.
This guide was well made. It helped me answer all my questions about the severity of storms from category 3 and up, and how to handle them.
- Johnathan T.
More companies should make these handbooks! It is so important for people to get prepared!
-Stephanie S.
The book is nice. I found it very thoughtful and will use it for this Hurricane Season.
-Allen D.
I was surprised by the quality of this handbook. My family and I will use this if another storm comes to Florida.
-Eric C.
This book will save your life. Best part is that it’s free!
-Thomas W.
What is Covered with Hurricane Insurance?
Insurances naturally vary state to state. Hurricane insurance costs will also vary, depending on your property size, storm resistance features, and risk to damage. It is worth noting that an increasing number of insurance carriers are reducing or removing ancillary hurricane coverages from their policies.
In a state like Florida, where hurricanes are a real threat every year, more and more people are purchasing supplemental extreme weather policies. For example, a homeowner’s policies do not typically cover flood damage, it is also a good idea to purchase flood insurance as well.
Additional living expenses or loss of use can be valuable coverage to be included in your policy. This can provide for paying rent and additional increased expenses if you are no longer able to live in your home after it is damaged, including the time it takes to repair your residence.
If you own an investment property, loss of rental income can also help you with the burden of continuing mortgage payments and other expenses while your rental income stream is interrupted due to the loss of your property being habitable due to storm damage.
If you live along the coast, it is even more important to keep yourself protected. Even if a hurricane does major damage to your home and property, you can keep that peace of mind that you are covered.
If your property is specifically at high risk from damage due to high winds, it makes sense to purchase additional hurricane house insurance to make sure you are fully covered.
Here at Harris Insurance, we have been helping people with their insurance needs since 1965 and can help answer all of your questions about hurricane insurance.
What to Do After the Storm
Again, tropical storms and hurricanes are an inevitable reality for those who live and work in Florida. Fortunately, you can take steps to protect your property before, during, and after these weather events. Here are some steps to follow after the storm is all over.
Locate your loved ones – Many families live out of state, and plan beforehand what type of message you will send and how quickly. Especially if the power is out, it might not be feasible at first. You will want to have a plan in place for contacting family members about your safety in a storm.
Stay informed– Know where the storm is, where it is heading, and a timeline for when it is forecasted to hit. Listen to weather reports, such as NOAA, and continue to stay informed via your local TV and radio stations.
Do not return home until it is okay to do so – If you have been told to evacuate, do so. It is not worth staying in your home and putting your life at risk. If you have been evacuated, do not drive on the roads again until you have been told it is safe. Continue to only drive on designated roads and stay away from flooded roads.
Document the damage – Start taking pictures and assess any damage to your property. You will also want to keep track of any cleanup efforts that go on as well.
Take any necessary steps to secure your property and prevent further damage - Document with photos and retain your receipts.
Call your insurance company or agent – Our team of experienced agents have been through numerous hurricanes and will know what to do for you when it comes to filing your hurricane insurance claims. With our help, you will quickly be on your way to rebuilding your home and hopefully in finding a level of normalcy.
Contact Harris Insurance for Hurricane House Insurance in St. Augustine, FL
At Harris Insurance, our hurricane insurance policy is only one of many options we have available for our customers. We offer over 150 companies to search through, so you can choose the coverages that are the right fit for you. We strive to always give you the best possible value prices and never add unnecessary fees or upsell you on items you really don’t need. Your satisfaction will always be our goal.
With this being said, do not let hurricanes stop you from living your life in beautiful St. Augustine, FL. Start with being prepared by having a plan and staying protected with the best insurance and support your money can buy. Contact us today!
