Hurricane Preparedness Checklist for Florida Homeowners
Hurricane Preparedness Starts Before the Storm
Living in Florida means enjoying beautiful weather for much of the year, but it also means preparing for hurricane season. Taking a few simple steps before a storm develops can help protect your family, your home and your finances.
Whether you’ve lived in Jupiter for decades or recently moved to Palm Beach County, having a hurricane preparedness plan can make a significant difference when severe weather threatens.
1. Review Your Insurance Coverage
Before hurricane season begins, take time to review your homeowners, flood and umbrella insurance policies. Make sure you understand:
- Your policy limits
- Your hurricane deductible
- What is covered after wind damage
- Whether flood damage is included (it usually requires a separate policy)
If you’ve recently remodeled your home, added a pool or purchased expensive personal property, your coverage may need updating.
2. Understand Your Hurricane Deductible
Unlike many insurance claims, hurricane claims often have a separate deductible that’s based on a percentage of your home’s insured value rather than a flat dollar amount.
Knowing how your deductible works before a storm arrives can help eliminate surprises during the claims process.
3. Create a Home Inventory
One of the best things you can do before hurricane season is document your belongings.
Consider:
- Taking photos of every room
- Recording a video walkthrough of your home
- Saving receipts for valuable purchases
- Keeping copies of important documents in secure cloud storage
A detailed inventory can make filing an insurance claim much easier if damage occurs.
4. Protect Your Home
Routine maintenance can reduce storm damage.
Before hurricane season:
- Trim trees and remove dead branches.
- Secure outdoor furniture and decorations.
- Clean gutters and drains.
- Inspect your roof for loose shingles or damaged flashing.
- Test your generator if you have one.
5. Build an Emergency Supply Kit
Have enough supplies for several days, including:
- Drinking water
- Nonperishable food
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- First aid supplies
- Prescription medications
- Phone chargers
- Pet supplies
6. Know Your Evacuation Zone
Don’t wait until a storm is approaching to learn your evacuation route.
Palm Beach County provides evacuation maps and emergency information to help residents prepare before an evacuation order is issued.
Stay Prepared Year-Round
The best time to prepare for hurricane season is before a storm is on the forecast. Reviewing your insurance coverage annually and taking simple preventive measures can provide peace of mind throughout the season.
If you have questions about your homeowners, flood or hurricane coverage, the team at Jupiter-Tequesta Insurance Services is happy to review your policies and help you understand your options.
Sources
- Florida Office of Insurance Regulation – Hurricane Season Resources
- Florida Division of Emergency Management
- National Hurricane Center