Hurricane Insurance Checklist: What to Review Before the Storm

When a hurricane is on the horizon, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your insurance coverage will hold up. Before storm season kicks into full gear, now’s the time to review your policies, understand your coverage, and make sure you’re truly protected.

Here’s a Hurricane Insurance Checklist to help you get ready—before the wind picks up.

Know What Your Home Insurance Covers.

If you’re new to Florida—or even just new to homeownership—it’s important to know that not all home insurance policies cover hurricane damage the same way. And once a storm starts spinning off the coast, many insurance carriers temporarily shut down. This means you won’t be able to make changes to your policy, start a new one, or buy flood insurance until the storm passes. That’s why reviewing your coverage before hurricane season gets underway is so important.

Here are the key areas you should check now—before it’s too late:

• Hurricane Deductible
  

  Unlike your regular deductible, this one is usually based on a percentage of your home’s insured value—often 2% to 5%. That means for a $300,000 home, you could be responsible for $6,000 to $15,000 before your insurance starts paying for hurricane-related damage. It’s also important to understand when this deductible applies. In Florida, your hurricane deductible kicks in when your home county is placed under a Tropical Storm or Hurricane Watch/Warning issued by the National Weather Service. Knowing when it’s triggered helps you plan ahead of a storm.

• Wind Damage Coverage
  

  Wind is one of the most common causes of hurricane-related damage. But not all policies treat wind the same—especially in coastal areas. Some policies exclude it entirely, limit coverage based on the storm’s intensity, or require a separate deductible. Double-check that your policy includes wind protection and understand how it applies.
  

• Exclusions
  

  Every policy has fine print. Some policies won’t cover certain types of damage, like storm surge, flooding, or issues caused by lack of maintenance. Knowing what’s excluded helps you avoid surprises when you file a claim. It gives you time to fill in any coverage gaps before the season starts.

Check Your Flood Insurance (or Get It).

Most home insurance policies do not cover flood damage. In insurance terms, a flood refers specifically to rising water that enters your home from the outside—such as storm surge, heavy rain accumulation, or overflowing lakes, rivers, or drainage systems. It does not include things like water coming in through a damaged roof, broken windows, or a burst pipe inside the home.

Even areas that aren’t traditionally flood-prone can experience serious flooding during hurricanes or tropical storms. If you don’t already have flood insurance, now is the time to look into it—because once a storm is named, it’s too late to get covered.

When reviewing your flood protection, make sure to:

• Check your current policy for flood protection.
  

  If you’re not sure whether you already have flood insurance, contact your agent or look for a separate flood insurance policy—typically through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood carrier. The NFIP is a federal program that offers basic flood coverage, but it has limits—especially when it comes to covering personal belongings or additional living expenses. On the other hand, private flood insurance can offer higher coverage limits and more flexible protection, including options like replacement cost coverage for personal property, coverage for pool damage, and in some cases, help with hotel expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable. Remember: Flood coverage is not automatically included in most homeowners insurance policies, so if you don’t see a separate flood policy, you likely don’t have coverage.

• Understand what’s covered.
  

  Flood insurance generally covers structural elements like your foundation, walls, and flooring, as well as major systems like electrical and plumbing. Contents coverage—your personal belongings—is not always included unless you’ve added it. Knowing exactly what’s protected helps you avoid costly surprises after a flood.
  

• Keep in mind the 30-day waiting period.
  

  Most new flood insurance policies come with a 30-day waiting period before coverage kicks in. That means you can’t buy a policy when a storm is heading your way and expect it to help. The best time to buy is now—before the season ramps up and while coverage is still available.
  

Review Your Roof and Exterior Coverage.

Roof damage is one of the most common reasons homeowners file hurricane claims—but it’s also one of the most misunderstood areas of coverage. Insurance carriers often apply different rules depending on the age, condition, or materials of your roof. Many homeowners don’t realize what’s excluded until it’s too late. Reviewing these details now can save you a lot of stress (and out-of-pocket expense) after a storm.

Key things to look at:

• Are there any age limits or depreciation clauses on your roof coverage?
  

  Some policies reduce or even deny roof coverage if your roof is over a certain age—often 10 or 15 years. Others may only cover a portion of the repair cost based on depreciation. This means you could be left paying thousands out of pocket if your policy doesn’t provide adequate protection for an older roof.
  

• Does your policy offer full replacement cost or actual cash value?
  

  Full replacement cost means your insurance will pay what it costs to replace your roof with similar materials at today’s prices. Actual cash value, on the other hand, factors in depreciation—so you’ll receive less money for older roofs. Knowing which one your policy uses can make a big difference in your hurricane recovery.
  

• Do you have coverage for screen enclosures, fences, or sheds?
  

  These common exterior features are often excluded or have limited coverage in standard home insurance policies. If you have a pool cage, detached shed, or fencing, make sure it’s listed on your policy and that the coverage limit is enough to replace it if damaged in a storm.

Evaluate Your Personal Property Limits.

After a hurricane, it’s not just your home’s structure that may be damaged—your belongings can be affected too. From furniture and clothing to electronics and kitchen appliances, replacing everything adds up quickly. That’s why it’s essential to make sure your personal property coverage is high enough to realistically cover what you own.

Here’s what to do:

• Review coverage limits for furniture, electronics, appliances, and clothing.
  

  Most home insurance policies include a default limit for personal property, but it may not be enough—especially if you’ve recently upgraded anything. Go room by room and consider the cost to replace what’s inside, not what it’s worth used.
  

• Don’t forget special items like jewelry, collectibles, or firearms.
  

  These high-value items often have separate sub-limits in your policy—sometimes as low as $1,000 to $2,500. If you own engagement rings, heirlooms, high-end tech, or other valuables, you may need additional coverage or a scheduled personal property endorsement.
  

• Use your phone to record a quick walk-through video for documentation.
  

  In the event of a claim, having visual proof of what you owned before the storm can help speed up the process and maximize your reimbursement. A quick video walk-through of your home is one of the easiest and most effective ways to document your belongings.
  

Confirm Loss of Use or Temporary Housing Coverage.

If a storm forces you out of your home, will your policy help cover temporary living expenses? When your home is damaged and unlivable after a hurricane, the last thing you want to worry about is how you’ll afford a place to stay. That’s where Loss of Use or Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage comes in—it helps cover the cost of temporary housing and basic living expenses while your home is being repaired. But coverage amounts and what’s included can vary widely by policy.

Here’s what to review:

• Check for Loss of Use or Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage.
  

  Not all policies include ALE automatically, especially in more basic or budget-friendly plans. Make sure it’s part of your homeowners insurance and that the coverage is active for hurricane-related damage.
  

• Know the daily or total limits.
  

  Some policies cap how much you can spend per day or have a maximum total limit. For example, a policy may only allow $100 per day or $10,000 total. Understanding your limits in advance helps you plan better and avoid unexpected costs.
  

• Confirm whether hotels, meals, or travel expenses are included.
  

  ALE coverage may include hotel stays, meals, laundry, storage, and even increased commuting costs—but not always. Double-check what your specific policy allows so you’re not caught off guard if you have to evacuate or relocate temporarily.
  

Make Sure Your Policy Is Active and Up to Date.

It may sound basic, but you’d be surprised how often small oversights lead to big issues when it’s time to file a claim. Before hurricane season ramps up, take a few minutes to make sure your insurance policy is in good standing.

Check the following:

• Confirm your premium is paid.
  

  A missed payment could result in a lapse in coverage—leaving you completely unprotected when you need it most.
  

• Review your policy renewal dates.
  

  If your policy is set to renew during hurricane season, double-check that it’s set to auto-renew or that you’ve reviewed any changes your insurer may have made to the terms.
  

• Make any necessary updates to your address, mortgage company, or contact info.
  

  Outdated information can delay claims or even cause complications in getting paid after a loss. Make sure your insurer has the correct details on file.

Still Unsure? Let Us Help.

At O’Quinn Insurance, we help homeowners review their coverage and prepare for hurricane season every year. If you’re unsure what your policy includes—or whether you have the protection you really need—our team is here to guide you. We’ll walk you through your current coverage, explain what’s missing, and help you make confident, informed decisions before a storm is ever on the map.

Give us a call or stop by—peace of mind starts with knowing you’re covered. Call 386-200-9534 or fill out your contact information to have one of our experts reach out.