5 Simple Steps to Prepare for Hurricane Season in Sunbridge
Written in Partnership with The Baldwin Group
Like days filled with abundant sunshine, storm season is a natural part of life in Central Florida. While no one can predict exactly what a season will bring, a few simple preparations can help you feel more confident and ready should severe weather make an appearance.
Storm preparation comes with plenty of what-ifs. Rather than trying to think of everything at once, we’ve put together a checklist to help cover the essentials. It won’t account for every possibility, but it’s a great place to start the conversation.
☑️ Know Your Coverage
You don’t need to do a line by line, deep dive into policy language, just a reminder to understand what’s covered, know deductibles and keep important documents accessible.
Here are a few basics to be aware of:
- Confirm your wind coverage and whether you need separate flood insurance.
- Know your hurricane deductible before you need to use it.
- Check your coverage for roof repairs, debris removal and temporary housing.
☑️ Create a Simple Home Inventory
Take a few minutes to record a video walkthrough of your home with your smartphone.
If you ever need to file a claim, you’ll have a clear record of your belongings, including appliance makes and models, furniture and other valuables. It can help speed up the claims process and reduce questions about what was lost or damaged.
☑️ Pack That Storm Emergency Kit
We all have that oversized plastic bin in the garage waiting for its moment. Focus on practical essentials rather than doomsday stockpiles.
Consider the following items for your kit:
- A three-day supply of drinking water and non-perishable foods.
- Extra batteries and/or portable power bank along with a weather radio.
- A first aid kit, any prescriptions and some basic hygiene items.
- Blankets and/or towels.
- Store copies of insurance policies, IDs and medical records in a waterproof container or a secure digital location like a USB drive.
☑️ Have a Game Plan
Set up a family communication plan, make arrangements for your pets and keep a list of important contacts. Know your evacuation route and where you’ll go if you need to leave home.
Your family communication plan helps ensure you and your loved ones know how to connect if you become separated and where to meet up. Knowing your evacuation route can help you avoid potentially flooded roads, reach safety more quickly and stay ahead of changing conditions during a storm.
☑️ Keep up with Home Maintenance
Simple maintenance like clearing gutters, securing outdoor furniture and keeping trees and landscaping trimmed away from your home can help reduce potential damage when storms bring heavy rain and strong winds.
Taking care of small tasks before storm season can make a big difference when severe weather arrives.
When’s the right time to get ready for storm season? Anytime. Even right now.
For more storm preparedness tips and help demystifying the insurance process, we’ve teamed up with our friends at The Baldwin Group Insurance. They’re experts at making insurance easy to understand and helping you find coverage that fits your budget.
Insurance might not come naturally to everyone. Fortunately, it comes naturally to The Baldwin Group.