Before Hurricane Season: Review Your Coverage
Florida’s hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. The time to review your insurance is before the season starts — not when a storm is approaching. Once a named storm is in the forecast, most carriers freeze policy changes, new applications, and coverage increases in the affected area. You may be locked into whatever coverage you have when the storm hits.
Before June 1 each year, review these critical items with your agent:
Your Dwelling Coverage Limit
Is your Coverage A (dwelling) limit sufficient to rebuild your home at today’s construction costs? Building materials and labor costs have increased dramatically in recent years. If your dwelling limit hasn’t kept pace, you could face a significant gap between your insurance payout and the actual cost to rebuild after a major hurricane. Ask your agent about inflation guard endorsements that automatically increase your dwelling limit over time.
Your Hurricane Deductible
Florida homeowners policies have a separate hurricane deductible, expressed as a percentage of your dwelling coverage. Common options are 2%, 5%, and 10%. On a home insured for $400,000, the out-of-pocket amounts are $8,000 (2%), $20,000 (5%), and $40,000 (10%). Make sure you understand your deductible and have the financial ability to cover it if a hurricane damages your home.
Your Flood Insurance
Hurricanes cause flooding. Your homeowners policy does not cover flood damage. If you don’t have a separate flood policy, get one before hurricane season. Note that NFIP policies have a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect — don’t wait until a storm is in the forecast.
When a Storm Is Approaching
Once a hurricane is forecast to impact your area, focus on protecting your property and family — your insurance coverage is locked at this point.
Document your property before the storm arrives. Walk through your home and take video and photos of every room, closet, and exterior area. This visual record will be invaluable if you need to file a claim. Store the documentation in cloud storage (not on a phone that could be damaged) and keep copies of important documents in a waterproof container or off-site.
Prepare your home by activating hurricane shutters or installing plywood over unprotected openings, securing outdoor furniture and debris, and knowing where your main water shut-off valve is located in case pipes burst.
After the Storm: Filing a Claim
If your home sustains damage from a hurricane, take these steps in order:
1. Ensure Safety First
Don’t enter your home until it’s safe. Watch for downed power lines, structural damage, gas leaks, and standing water that could be contaminated or electrically charged.
2. Document All Damage
Before cleaning up or making repairs, document everything with photos and video. Take wide shots showing the scope of damage and close-ups showing specific damage to structures, belongings, and systems. Write notes about what happened and when. This documentation is the foundation of your claim.
3. Make Emergency Repairs Only
You are responsible for preventing further damage to your property (this is called “mitigation” and it’s required by your policy). Cover broken windows, tarp damaged roofs, and remove standing water. Save all receipts for emergency repairs and materials — these are reimbursable under your policy. Do not make permanent repairs until your adjuster has inspected the damage.
4. Contact Your Insurance Carrier
File your claim with your insurance carrier as soon as possible. The claims phone number is on your declarations page. You can also contact Nymble and we’ll help you initiate the claim and coordinate with the carrier on your behalf.
5. Meet with the Adjuster
Your carrier will send an adjuster to inspect the damage. Be present for this inspection if possible. Walk the adjuster through all damage — including damage that may not be immediately visible, like water intrusion in walls or ceiling cavities. Share your documentation (photos, videos, notes, receipts).
Understanding Your Hurricane Claim
Hurricane claims in Florida work differently than standard claims. Your hurricane deductible (2%, 5%, or 10%) applies to the first dollar of the claim. If your home has $50,000 in damage and your hurricane deductible is $20,000 (5% of a $400,000 dwelling limit), your carrier pays $30,000 and you pay the first $20,000 out of pocket.
If the hurricane triggers your hurricane deductible, that deductible applies to all covered hurricane damage from that specific storm — you don’t pay it multiple times for separate claims from the same event.
Flood damage from the hurricane is a separate claim filed under your flood policy with its own deductible. Wind damage and flood damage are settled independently.
Wind Mitigation: Protecting Your Home and Your Premium
The best time to protect your home from hurricanes is before they arrive. Wind mitigation features like hip roofs, hurricane straps, secondary water resistance, and impact-rated openings don’t just reduce your insurance premium — they reduce the actual damage a hurricane causes to your home. Learn more about wind mitigation inspections →
Need Help Reviewing Your Hurricane Coverage?
If you’re not confident that your current coverage will protect you through a hurricane, contact Nymble. We’ll review your policy, identify gaps, and shop the market for better options — all before the storms come. Review my coverage →