Some hurricane damage can be avoided: Advice to pass on to homeowners

Hurricane season, which runs from June through November, is just around the corner. With it comes the need for agents, brokers, insurers and claims experts to educate homeowners on how to better prepare for the storms that can change their lives.

Helping homeowners understand that some of the destruction and discomfort caused by hurricanes can be avoided is important. Some of the most common mistakes stem from misperceptions homeowners have about how to protect their homes. For example:

• “If I put tape on the windows, it will stop them from being damaged.” Reality: Only shutters or thick plywood can prevent debris from breaking windows.
• “The hurricane is making landfall far from here and won’t hurt my property.” Reality: Hurricanes can generate flooding hundreds of miles from the center of the storm, impacting homes both inland or along the coast. Hurricane wind fields can also span hundreds of miles.
• “I only need to board up windows and/or doors facing the storm.” Reality: Hurricane winds will change directions as the storm passes over homes. Debris can be whipped around in odd ways, so the only way to reduce risk is to ensure all windows and doors are covered – regardless of which direction they face.

Related: NOAA predicts 5 to 9 hurricanes in 2018

Overlooked areas

While windows are often the focus of hurricane preparation, there are other important parts and areas of homes that are unfortunately often overlooked. These include trees, roofs, garages, gutters and spouts, all of which can be significant weak spots for homeowners in a hurricane. Consequently, advise homeowners to think about the following:

• Pruning trees and dead branches around the property to reduce the likelihood they will fall during high winds.
• Installing wind straps, which will increase roof-to-wall connections and reduce the chance of a roof detaching during a storm. These cost relatively little to install and may even qualify the homeowner for a discount on their insurance policy.
• Securing loose shingles with a tube of roofing cement, which costs around $5, can reduce the risk of losing shingles in the wind.
• Securing garage doors with vertical braces. Garage doors can often be weak links during storms, and braces will boost their wind resistance.
• Ensuring gutters and downspouts are clear. If torrential rains can’t drain down a house, they’ll drain into the house.

It’s all about the basics

Some homeowners may be familiar with preparations, but there are many residents new to hurricane-prone areas since the last time a hurricane made landfall nearby. Encourage them to:

• Make a list of financial documents (i.e. insurance policies, mortgage information, etc.) and put them in one easy-to-find place should evacuation be necessary.
• Photograph valuables including entertainment systems, appliances, jewelry and furniture to help adjusters ensure full reimbursement on damaged items. Upload these photos to the cloud as a backup precaution in case electronic devices are lost or damaged.
• Pack an emergency supplies kit including non-perishable food, water, medications, flashlights, cash, a whistle, and backup batteries for any necessary electronics.

One of the most helpful pieces of advice we can give homeowners is helping them understand that the cost of being prepared for a hurricane is significantly less than the cost of repairs for unprepared homes and replacement of their belongings.

As hurricane season approaches, insurance experts can be helpful in educating homeowners about how to protect their property. One key to this is helping to remove the false sense of security that often occurs when dealing with storms (i.e. “It won’t be that bad” or “I’ll be OK”) and reminding them that it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Related: Hurricane season ahead: Keys to disaster preparedness & recovery for businesses

Bryan Wood is a meteorologist working for Assurant’s Loss Drafts Claims Processing Department based in Springfield, Ohio. His primary responsibility is to manage all of Assurant’s clients’ weather risk to their mortgage portfolios. Connect with Wood on LinkedIn.