The 2018 Atlantic hurricane season is over, and as we await the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) first predictions for the 2019 season – which will be released on May 1 – it is worth taking a look back at what we learned last year. With a total of 15 named storms, including a record seven storms eventually classified as subtropical, 2018’s total storm activity, “fell within NOAA’s predicted ranges in [its] pre-season outlook issued in late May [but] was more active than predicted in the updated outlook issued in early August.”
But, while the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season is over, many homeowners in Florida and other states are still feeling major effects. Hurricane Michael caused widespread devastation, and the recovery process isn’t going to be over any time soon.
Although there was very little homeowners could have done to prepare for Hurricane Michael’s Category 4 winds, as a general rule, there are several steps homeowners can take to prepare in advance for hurricane season. The start of the year is a good time to make sure you are ready (or as ready as you can be), and to make sure your insurance coverage will be adequate in the event of a damaging storm.
Hurricane Preparedness Tips From the NOAA
The NOAA (among other agencies and organizations) provides a number of hurricane safety and preparedness tips and resources on its website. These include:
- Recommendations for a basic emergency kit
- Where to find the latest storm watches and warnings
- Where to find information about storm evacuations in your area
- Tips for preparing your home
- Tips for understanding storm risks and protecting yourself during a storm
Ultimately, the most important thing is to make sure that you and your family are as safe as possible. Protecting your property is important, too; but, if it means putting your safety at risk, it simply isn’t worth it.
Re-Evaluating Your Insurance Coverage
The off-season is also a good time to re-evaluate your insurance coverage. How much thought did you put into your coverage limits and endorsements when you purchased your policy? What has changed since then? Unfortunately, in the wake of Hurricane Michael, many homeowners are finding out that the coverage they bought either (i) isn’t what they thought, or (ii) isn’t enough to cover the total cost of the damage to their homes.
These issues can be avoided; and, for homeowners in Florida, it is especially important to make sure your coverage is adequate. Hopefully you won’t run into issues with your insurance company; but, if you do, you want to make sure that the terms of your policy are on your side.
Contact the Fort Lauderdale Hurricane Damage Attorneys at Saavedra | Goodwin
At Saavedra | Goodwin, we represent South Florida homeowners in claims and disputes with their insurance companies. If you are struggling to collect payment from your homeowner’s insurance or flood insurance provider and would like information about the options you have available, you can call (954) 928-9568 or contact us online for a confidential initial consultation.
