Why Protection from Your Florida Home Insurance Broker is Necessary this Hurricane Season

The Atlantic hurricane season takes place from June 1^st to November 30^th every year, and last year’s season shattered records for activity. With severe weather soon upon us, homeowner’s insurance is a necessary component of any policy. Continue reading to learn more about why we so strongly recommend reviewing your insurance coverage before we are struck by our first major storm.Above-Average Activity is LikelyThe activity of 2020’s hurricane season eclipsed the record set in 2005, when 28 named storms came from the Atlantic Ocean. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – or NOAA for short – projects that 3-6 major hurricanes will be produced this season, which are hurricanes category three or higher with winds exceeding 111 mph. To put it simply, the odds are good that we may see the highest quantity of severe storms to date.Waiting Periods and Other HurdlesMany insurance companies prohibit buyers from purchasing homeowner’s insurance when major storms or other natural disasters are imminent for obvious reasons, which means that you need to be prepared well ahead of time instead of waiting until a hurricane is barreling down on you. Acquiring last-minute coverage is difficult as many different coverages require different waiting periods or prerequisites. For example, flood insurance will not take effect until a 30-day waiting period has been completed. With that being said, storm-related flooding from hurricanes will cause a total exceeding $50 billion in damages to homes, businesses, and the public sector. Furthermore, changes to homeowner’s insurance policies are prohibited within 48 hours of a hurricane’s expected landfall. Do your due diligence beforehand and make sure you are prepared well ahead of landfall.La Niña WatchIf you are unfamiliar with the weather system known as La Niña, this is a good year to acquaint yourself. Most recently occurring earlier this year, La Niña is an ocean-atmosphere phenomenon that impacts global climate due to low wind shear and warmer sea surface temperatures which both facilitate the genesis of even more hurricanes in the Atlantic basin. When it occurs, it weakens high atmospheric winds and allow warm air pockets to grow vertically and develop into hurricanes. Perhaps not coincidentally, 2005 – the busiest Atlantic hurricane season to date – was a La Niña year.There are many warning signs that the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season could be the most destructive in history, but that does not mean that homeowners cannot be prepared. Review your coverage to make sure that you are prepared for any damages relating to wind and flooding. Instead of waiting to hear about being in the next hurricane’s cone of uncertainty, make sure that you are protected today. Contact us at Demont Insurance Agency for any assistance that you need with optimizing your coverage and ensuring peace of mind no matter which weather this season brings us.