How Can I Get My House Prepared for Hurricane Season

How Can I Get My House Prepared for Hurricane Season—In Case I Have to File an Insurance Claim?

Hurricane season can bring more than just wind and rain—it brings risk to your property, disruption to your routine, and potentially, the need to file a homeowners insurance claim. While no one likes to think about the worst-case scenario, being prepared before a storm hits can protect your home and make the insurance process smoother if you need to file aclaim.

Here’s how to prepare your house and your paperwork ahead of hurricane season so you’re ready, just in case.

1. Document Your Property

One of the most powerful tools in a successful insurance claim is thorough documentation. Before the season begins:

• Take photos and videos of the exterior and interior of your home. Capture every room, valuable item, appliance, and any upgrades you’ve made.
• Keep receipts and appraisals for high-value items like electronics, jewelry, or art.
• Store copies digitally (on the cloud or email them to yourself) so you can access them even if you evacuate or lose access to your home.

This step doesn’t just help prove what was lost or damaged—it also speeds up the claims process.

2. Review and Understand Your Insurance Coverage

Don’t wait until a storm is bearing down to realize you’re underinsured.

• ‍Check your dwelling coverage limits to make sure they reflect current rebuild costs.
• Understand your hurricane deductible—this is often a percentage of your home’s value and can be higher than you expect.
• Consider flood insurance if you don’t have it. Standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage.

If anything is unclear, call your insurance agent well before hurricane season starts.

3. Fortify Your Home

Strengthening your home can both reduce damage and demonstrate to your insurer that you took reasonable precautions.

• Trim trees and secure outdoor furniture. Flying debris is one of the top causes of damage during storms.
• Install storm shutters or impact-resistant windows.
• Reinforce garage doors so that your house remains secure in the face of major wind.
• Inspect your roof to be sure you aren’t immediately susceptible to major leaks.
• Seal openings—check for gaps where water could enter, including around windows, doors, vents, and cable entries.

Some insurers even offer discounts for protective upgrades. Be sure to let your insurance company know if you’ve made any improvements.

4. Create an Emergency Kit and Evacuation Plan

Being personally safe is your top priority—but having a plan also helps with claims later.

• Pack essential documents, including a copy of your insurance policy, ID, and inventory list.
• Have cash, medication, chargers, and flashlights ready.
• Know your evacuation route and keep your gas tank full.

If you do evacuate, keep receipts for hotels, meals, and other necessary expenses—these may be reimbursable under your policy’s “loss of use” coverage.

5. After the Storm: Act Quickly and Document Damage

If you do need to file a claim:

‍

Final Thoughts

Hurricane season is stressful enough—don’t let insurance uncertainty make it worse. By preparing your home now, keeping strong documentation, and understanding your policy, you can face the season with more confidence. And if a storm does force you to file a claim, you’ll be in a much better position to recover quickly and completely. If you feel like the insurance company is giving you the run-around – You can always call Averill& Reaney at (985) 378-8001. We’ll protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.