Review These Four Insurance Coverages Before Seasonal Storms Begin

Hurricane season is here for coastal parts of the country. And while non-coastal areas may not directly be affected by hurricanes, everyone is susceptible to detrimental weather events, such as tornadoes, hail, severe thunderstorms and flooding. As a result, your home and belongings could suffer significant damage. Our team at Stewart Insurance wants to make sure you are properly insured before disaster strikes. Here are four insurance coverages to consider:

1. Home or Apartment

Storms cause immense damage to homes and personal property year after year. When you review your home or renters insurance, the first step is to evaluate your coverage limits, or the maximum dollar amount the insurance company will pay for losses. While there are several limits to consider, here are some main ones to start your evaluation with an insurance advisor:

The limit on your home should match the entire cost to rebuild. Similarly, your personal property limit should be enough to replace all personal belongings within the residence. The loss of use component on your home or renters policy is the limit for alternate living arrangements if your home or apartment becomes uninhabitable.

You should also confirm your policy includes replacement cost coverage, ensuring the value of your home and belongings will not be depreciated based on age and condition.

2. Flood

Thunderstorms, hurricanes and tropical storms bring massive amounts of rain and a strong likelihood of flooding. Coverage for loss or damage to your home or belongings due to flooding is excluded from almost all home insurance policies. Flood insurance provides separate coverage if your home or belongings are damaged due to rising water.

Every home has the potential to flood and is therefore in a flood zone. Your location determines if you are in a high, moderate, or low-risk flood zone. Even if you are not in a high-risk zone, moderate to low-risk zones still account for over a third of the disaster assistance for flooding.1

3. Wind and Hail

Wind and hail coverage is another area to review, as hurricanes and tornadoes make their way into the forecast. Wind and hail can be included or excluded from your policy depending on your location. If you have a separate policy, check your coverage limits, deductibles and replacement cost, just as you would for your home insurance. High-speed winds can damage your roof and siding. During a storm, damage to these areas could cause further damage within the home.

4. Auto and Recreational Vehicles

Don’t forget about the potential impact of weather on your vehicles. Your auto and recreational policies should include comprehensive coverage for damage or losses caused by rain, wind, hail or flooding. Make sure your deductibles accurately reflect the amount you are able to contribute to repair your vehicle after damage or loss.

Be sure to take extra precautions as we enter storm season and secure coverage before a storm threat. Remember: once a storm is named, you may not be able to secure or update these policies.

Learn more about Stewart Insurance. Visit stewartinsurance.com to learn more or discuss your coverage options with an advisor by emailing stewartinsurance@stewart.com or call (866) 798-2827.