STORM & HURRICANE PREP
The Florida homeowner's storm checklist.
Insurance is the part of hurricane prep most people get wrong — usually by finding gaps after the storm. Here's the checklist we give our own clients.
Before the season (June 1 – November 30)
- Review your policy NOW — hurricane deductibles, coverage limits, and flood coverage cannot be added once a storm is named. Carriers freeze new business and changes when a system approaches Florida.
- Confirm you have flood coverage — homeowners policies never cover rising water. If you skipped it, get a quote before the season peaks.
- Photograph or video every room, the exterior, and big-ticket items. Store it in the cloud — this is the single most valuable 15 minutes for a future claim.
- Save your policy documents, agent contact, and carrier claim numbers somewhere reachable without power. Our line: (407) 891-2886.
- Document your wind-mitigation features (shutters, straps, impact glass) — they earn premium credits and speed up claims.
When a storm is named
- Install shutters or board openings; brace garage doors — the most common failure point in hurricane wind damage.
- Clear the yard: furniture, potted plants, and debris become projectiles.
- Charge devices, fill vehicles, and screenshot your insurance documents in case networks go down.
- If you evacuate, take your insurance documents and inventory photos with you.
After the storm
- Document damage with photos and video BEFORE any cleanup or temporary repairs.
- Make reasonable temporary repairs to prevent further damage (tarps, board-ups) and keep every receipt — they are reimbursable under most policies.
- Report your claim promptly — to your carrier directly or call us and we will walk you through it: (407) 891-2886.
- Be cautious with door-knocking contractors and "assignment of benefits" paperwork — never sign over your claim rights without talking to your agent.
- Keep a log of every call, adjuster visit, and email about your claim.
The one rule that matters most: coverage cannot be bought or changed once a storm is named. If anything on this page made you unsure about your policy, check it today.