Preparing for Hurricane Season 2024: Tips for Florida Residents

Hurricane Preparation 2024  is upon us. Living in Florida, we are all too versed with the unpredictable behavior and potentially devastating impact of hurricanes. With the hurricane season fast approaching, now is the crucial time to take preventive measures to protect your property while ensuring the safety of your family and friends. In this article, we discuss important steps to ready your property against hurricane-induced water damage, secure your property before and after a storm, and the importance of hiring licensed adjusters to process your property damage claims.

Preparing for Water Damage

One of the main concerns during a hurricane is water damage. Heavy rain, storm surges, and flooding represent real threats to homes in coastal areas. Homeowners need to consider the following preparation measures in order to de-risk the hurricane:

• Clear Gutters and Drains: Clean gutters and drains for a clear path that helps in draining water away from your property. Clogged gutters can cause the water to accumulate and potential leaks and structural damage.
• Reinforce Doors and Windows: Use storm shutters or plywood to protect doors and windows that are specifically prone to flying debris. Reinforcing these openings can help avoid water infiltration.
• Seal Cracks and Gaps: Check areas for cracks and gaps along the foundation, walls, and windows. You need to seal them with waterproof caulk in order to prevent the water from entering your home.
• Elevate Valuable Items: Move valuables to higher ground or to an upper floor in the event of water damage. Protect important documents in waterproof boxes and even backup with digital copies to further protect them.

Why is it important to have a Public Adjuster on your side after a hurricane strike?

Checking Locks and Keys

Amid the hustle and bustle of Hurricane Preparation 2024, don’t forget to take efforts to secure your home. A few easy steps can help safeguard your property:

• Check and Replace Old Locks: Ensure that all doors and windows are fitted with good-quality locks. If the lock is old or broken, replace it to secure your home better. Are locked out after the Hurricane? Get in touch with a professional locksmith in your neighborhood to gain access to the property and take a look at all your belongings inside.
• Reinforce Entry Points: Consider installing deadbolts and strike plates on doors to add an extra layer of security. Strengthening entry points can deter potential burglars from trying to breach easily exploitable entry points.
• Duplicate Keys: Make a duplicate set of your house keys or rekey for other family members or trusted neighbors in case of an emergency. Keep the duplicate keys in a safe area, not in obvious or easily accessible locations.

Home Security After the Hurricane

Once the hurricane has come to pass and it is safe to return home, security should be the first thing on your mind amidst all the confusion and potential vulnerability:

• Evaluate Damage: Check your property carefully for any visible signs of damage such as broken windows, damaged roofs, or structural damage. Take pictures and document all damage for insurance purposes.
• Secure Openings: If any broken windows or damaged doors have been found, cover them with temporary barriers such as boards or tarps until proper repairs can be made. This will help prevent access by unauthorized personnel as well as keep your property from suffering further damage.
• Activate Security Systems: If you have a home security system, make sure that it is reactivated. Contact your provider to turn the monitoring service back on and run required tests to ensure that everything is functioning properly.

Role of Using Licensed Adjusters

If you experience serious property damage, you should use licensed adjusters to ensure proper and fair assessment of the losses. Following are some of the grounds on which their services are unrivaled:

• Knowledge and Experience: Only Licensed adjusters have an extensive knowledge of insurance policies, claim procedures, and property damage assessment details. Their experience ensures that you receive the best financial compensation that you deserve.
• Accurate Assessment: Public Adjusters do a detailed assessment of property damage, considering all the factors that can affect the value of your claim. They give you detailed documentation and support your case during negotiations with insurance companies. Preventing water damage can prevent future mold damage to the property.

At the end of the Hurricane Preparation 2024, it is important to ensure that the house is in good shape. Always check for damage to the house that might be hidden from your sights during the season but you can only see after.