The 2012 hurricane season set records. There were a total of 19 tropical systems recorded in the Atlantic – the third most in recorded history. Nine of the nineteen storms became full blown hurricanes. One of these storms was the second most catastrophic hurricane on record: Hurricane Sandy.
The 2013 hurricane season runs from June 1st until November 30th. Weather Services International issued their predictions for the season in April, and they are expecting 16 named storms and 9 hurricanes, with 5 intense hurricanes.
The chance that a hurricane will hit the northeastern US is typically low, but it seems like it is becoming increasingly common for a storm to come this way. Knowing that another storm may threaten this area in the coming months, here are some questions that you should consider:
What will my Home Insurance cover?
If a hurricane or tropical storm hits your home, you need to make sure that you are fully protected against the damage that it could cause. A typical Massachusetts home insurance policy will offer you partial protection, including coverage for:
- Water Damage: Heavy rain will sometimes come through a leaky roof and cause damage in your home. This should be covered.
- Intense Winds: Falling trees and flying debris are part of the peril associated with a hurricane. These are typically automatically covered with a home insurance policy.
- Hail: A typical home insurance policy will often cover roof repairs due to hail stone damage.
- Loss of Use: If your home is severely damaged and you are forced to evacuate due to the severity of the repairs needed, your home insurance will likely cover your temporary living arrangements.
Please note – this is the typical coverage associated with a home insurance policy. Your policy’s details may differ slightly. In order to make sure that you have this coverage, double check your protection with your insurance agent.
What extra protection do I need?
As noted above, a home insurance policy typically includes coverage for water damage. This does not include coverage for rising waters. This means that without a flood insurance policy, you are vulnerable to one of the most expensive types of damage caused by hurricanes.
Take this example, for instance: when hurricane Sandy flooded the east coast last year, the average losses reported were over $40,000. You could be responsible for those repairs if you don’t have adequate insurance coverage.
Why do I need to act now?
If you don’t currently have a flood insurance policy, you need to speak to your insurance agent right away about adding this protection to your insurance portfolio. Did you know that a flood insurance policy doesn’t take effect until 30 days after its date of purchase. This means that waiting until the last minute to inquire about this policy will do you no good – you need to purchase it as soon as possible to ensure that it goes into effect sooner rather than later.
So don’t wait any longer! Call 877-550-0025 now to speak to a Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency representative about protecting yourself in the 2013 hurricane season. We can review your home insurance coverage and give you a free, no obligation quote on a flood insurance policy.
Photo credit: NASA Goddard Photo and Video / Foter.com / CC BY
