Tropical Weather Resources
Sep 5, 2008 12:09 pm US/Eastern
Get Your Hurricane Insurance Ready Now
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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Rick Gershon/Getty Images
Hurricane Ike has its eye set on South Florida. Before it hits, it's very important to make sure your homeowner's insurance is in order! Most insurance offices close for the weekend at 5:00 p.m., so you'll want to contact your agent and double-check your policies by the end of the day.
According to Florida law, once the National Hurricane Center announces an official warning or watch anywhere in the state, all insurance policies are automatically frozen. That means you can't add to or change your coverage. With "Ike" headed toward South Florida, there's a possibility coverage could be frozen before insurance offices open Monday.
So what do you need to do right now?
-Find your policy and double-check it.
-Contact your insurance agent to see if your policy will adequately cover your potential losses. This includes your home and all your personal belongings.
-Make copies of important insurance papers and other documents. Store them in a safe location, one you'll be able to get to easily after a storm.
-Document the condition of your property both before and after the storm hits. In the next few days, take pictures around your home or condo, both inside and out.
If you live in a condo, remember that the Association's insurance coverage is usually limited to common elements like buildings and offices. You still need homeowners insurance for your contents and any possible structural damage inside your unit.
Finally, most residential windstorm policies do not cover flooding or damage from rising water. Most homeowners are required by their lenders to have additional coverage with a national flood insurance policy.
If you're having trouble contacting your agent, or still have coverage questions, you can contact the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation at (877) 693-5236. If you have Citizens Property Insurance, their hotline number is (866) 411-2742.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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