Hurricanes Archives - Ocala Insurance

Recovery & Insurance Resources

October 14, 2024 By cary

Courtesy of iii.org

Following a hurricane or other disaster, getting back to normal can take some time. To assist in the recovery process, the Triple-I has compiled useful information around post-disaster safety and insurance coverage questions, with detailed guidance on how to file a claim.
https://www.iii.org/article/background-on-hurricane-and-windstorm-deductibles
https://www.iii.org/article/background-on-insurance-fraud#Catastrophe-related
https://www.iii.org/article/boat-insurance-and-safety
https://www.iii.org/article/do-i-need-flood-insurance-for-my-home
https://www.iii.org/article/does-my-business-need-flood-insurance
https://www.iii.org/article/environmental-liability-insurance

Safety and resources for recovery

Following a hurricane, new perils brought by the storm can pose risks. And if you have evacuated, it might not be safe to go back home. The following articles provide information and guidance to keep you and your loved ones safe in the aftermath.
https://www.iii.org/article/florida-recovery-resources
https://www.iii.org/article/frequently-asked-questions-about-fema-disaster-assistance
https://www.iii.org/article/health-safety-following-a-flood

What does insurance cover?

In the aftermath of a hurricane or natural disaster, policyholders may have questions about the insurance process, including what is covered and what isn’t. Here are some answers to many of these common questions about home, auto, flood and other coverages.
https://www.iii.org/article/understanding-the-insurance-claims-payment-process
https://www.iii.org/article/understanding-your-insurance-deductibles
https://www.iii.org/article/what-covered-basic-auto-insurance-policy
https://www.iii.org/article/what-covered-standard-homeowners-policy
https://www.iii.org/article/what-public-adjuster

Claims

What To Do When a Hurricane Approaches

September 15, 2024 By cary

Courtesy of iii.org

Hurricanes are violent and dangerous to your family and your home. When a hurricane threatens to bear down, make sure that you know how to batten down your hatches and protect yourself, your loved ones and your property.

When it’s hurricane season

Hurricane season starts June 1 and runs through November 30. But don’t wait until a warning—take steps to prepare in advance for a potential hurricane—it’s the best way to protect your family, your home and your business.

For more preparedness tips, handy checklists (including ones you can personalize yourself) and evacuation planning advice to cover a variety of disasters, get the I.I.I.’s Know Your Plan app. It’s a great tool to help get you and your family—including pets—organized and ready to act more quickly if a hurricane or other emergency strikes.

When a hurricane watch is issued

A hurricane watch is issued when there is a threat of a hurricane within a 24-36 hour period. At that time, you should:

Purchase any emergency supplies that you don’t already have on hand. Hit the stores early, as items such as batteries, candles and flashlights will get snapped up quickly.

Prepare your yard by removing all outdoor furniture, lawn items, planters and other materials that could be picked up by high winds. If you haven’t already, remove weak branches on plants and trees. Lower antennas and retractable awnings.

Prepare for a potential evacuation by reviewing your evacuation plan and, if you have a pet, your pet’s evacuation plan.

Fully charge your cellphone.

Fill your car’s gasoline tank.

Jot down the name and phone number of your insurer and insurance professional and keep this information handy in your wallet or purse.

When a warning is issued

A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions are expected in 24 hours or less, which means a storm is imminent.

Stay informed of the storm’s progress by listening to the radio or TV. Even better, listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS).

Install hurricane shutters, board up or otherwise securely shutter large windows and draw drapes across windows and doors.

Get off the boat—never remain on a boat during a hurricane! Check mooring lines of boats in water.

If evacuation becomes necessary

Hopefully, you’re fully prepared with an evacuation plan. Also remember:

Don’t wait until the last minute—shelters might be full or the roads might be jammed. If you have pets, consider traveling before an evacuation is ordered—otherwise, you might be ordered by officials to leave your pet home.

Take along survival supplies from your list.

Keep important papers with you at all times, including your home inventory and make sure you have the name and phone number of your insurance professional.

Take warm, protective clothing for the whole family in case you get stuck.

Lock all windows and doors on your home. Don’t compound hurricane damage with the threat of possible looters.

Keep all receipts for anything that might be considered to be an additional living expense (ALE) in the event your home is destroyed or damaged and rendered uninhabitable.

If you remain at home during a hurricane

Stay indoors. Don’t go out even during the brief calm when the eye of the storm passes over as wind speeds can increase dramatically in seconds.

Stay away from windows and glass doors and move furniture away from exposed doors and windows.

Stay on the downwind side of house. If your home has an “inside” room, stay there during the height of the hurricane.

Keep the television or radio tuned into information from official sources.

After the hurricane, beware of the dangers that remain

The storm may have passed, but it likely has created new dangers.

Beware of outdoor hazards like loose or fallen tree limbs, loose signage or awnings that are in danger of breaking off and falling.

Keep away from loose or dangling power lines, and report them immediately to the proper authority.

Walk or drive extra cautiously as washouts may weaken road and bridge structures.

In the event of a power outage, throw out food that may be spoiled.

Boil municipal water before drinking until you have been told it is safe.

If your home is damaged

Notify your insurance professional as soon as possible of any losses. If you had to relocate, let your representative know where you can be contacted. In addition:

Make temporary repairs—if they can be made safely—to protect property from further damage or looting; for insurance purposes, keep all receipts for materials used.

Get written estimates for any proposed repair jobs and use only reputable contractors. Be especially careful of building contractors who want huge deposits up front or encourage you to spend a lot of money on temporary repairs. Ask for their references and check with the Better Business Bureau on complaints.

Gather any other receipts for expenses that will be covered by insurance or will be tax deductible.

Insurance to the Rescue

June 18, 2023 By cary

Courtesy of iii.org

Hurricanes and storm-related flooding are responsible for the bulk of damage from disasters in the United States, accounting for annual economic losses of about $54 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

These losses have been on the rise, due, in large part, to increased coastal development. More, bigger homes, more valuables inside them, more cars and infrastructure – these all can contribute to bigger losses. The CBO estimates that a combination of private insurance for wind damage, federal flood insurance, and federal disaster assistance would cover about 50 percent of losses to the residential sector and 40 percent of commercial sector losses.

Recent research illustrates the benefits provided by mangroves, barrier islands, and coral reefs – natural features that frequently fall victim to development – in terms of limiting storm damage. In many places, mangroves are the first line of defense, their aerial roots helping to reduce erosion and dissipate storm surge. A healthy coral reef can reduce up to 97 percent of a wave’s energy before it hits the shore. Reefs — especially those that have been weakened by pollution, disease, overfishing, and ocean acidification — can be damaged by severe storms, reducing the protection they offer for coastal communities.

In Florida, a recent study found, mangroves alone prevented $1.5 billion in direct flood damages and protected over half a million people during Hurricane Irma in 2017, reducing damages by nearly 25% in counties with mangroves. Another study found that mangroves actively prevent more than $65 billion in property damage and protect over 15 million people every year worldwide.

A separate study quantified the global flood-prevention benefits of coral reefs at $4.3 billion.

Such estimates invite debate, but even if these endangered systems provided a fraction of the loss prevention estimated, wouldn’t you think coastal communities and the insurance industry would be investing in protecting them?

Well, they’re beginning to.

The Mexican state of Quintana Roo has partnered with hotel owners, the Nature Conservancy, and the National Parks Commission to pilot a conservation strategy that involves coral reef insurance. The insurance component – a one-year parametric policy – pays out if wind speeds in excess of 100 knots hit a predefined area. Unlike traditional insurance, which pays for damage if it occurs, parametric insurance pays claims when specific conditions are met – regardless of whether damage is incurred. Without the need for claims adjustment, policyholders quickly get their benefit and can begin their recovery. In the case of the coral reef coverage, the swift payout will allow for quick damage assessments, debris removal, and initial repairs to be carried out.

Similar approaches could be applied to protecting mangroves, commercial fish stocks that can be harmed by overfishing or habitat loss, or other intrinsically valuable assets that are hard to insure with traditional approaches.

Hurricane? Here’s What To Do

September 1, 2019 By Anna Brantley

Courtesy of iii.org

When it’s hurricane season

When a hurricane watch is issued

A hurricane watch is issued when there is a threat of a hurricane within a 24-36 hour period. At that time, you should:

Purchase any emergency supplies that you don’t already have on hand. Hit the stores early, as items such as batteries, candles and flashlights will get snapped up quickly.

Prepare your yard by removing all outdoor furniture, lawn items, planters and other materials that could be picked up by high winds. If you haven’t already, remove weak branches on plants and trees. Lower antennas and retractable awnings.

Prepare for a potential evacuation by reviewing your evacuation plan and, if you have a pet, your pet’s evacuation plan.

Fully charge your cellphone.

Fill your car’s gasoline tank.

Jot down the name and phone number of your insurer and insurance professional and keep this information handy in your wallet or purse.

When a warning is issued

A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions are expected in 24 hours or less, which means a storm is imminent.

Stay informed of the storm’s progress by listening to the radio or TV. Even better, listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS).

Install hurricane shutters, board up or otherwise securely shutter large windows and draw drapes across windows and doors.

Get off the boat—never remain on a boat during a hurricane! Check mooring lines of boats in water.

If evacuation becomes necessary

Hopefully, you’re fully prepared with an evacuation plan. Also remember:

Don’t wait until the last minute—shelters might be full or the roads might be jammed. If you have pets, consider traveling before an evacuation is ordered—otherwise, you might be ordered by officials to leave your pet home.

Take along survival supplies from your list.

Keep important papers with you at all times, including your home inventory and make sure you have the name and phone number of your insurance professional.

Take warm, protective clothing for the whole family in case you get stuck.

Lock all windows and doors on your home. Don’t compound hurricane damage with the threat of possible looters.

Keep all receipts for anything that might be considered to be an additional living expense (ALE) in the event your home is destroyed or damaged and rendered uninhabitable.

If you remain at home during a hurricane

Stay indoors. Don’t go out even during the brief calm when the eye of the storm passes over as wind speeds can increase dramatically in seconds.

Stay away from windows and glass doors and move furniture away from exposed doors and windows.

Stay on the downwind side of house. If your home has an “inside” room, stay there during the height of the hurricane.

Keep the television or radio tuned into information from official sources.

After the hurricane, beware of the dangers that remain

The storm may have passed, but it likely has created new dangers.

Beware of outdoor hazards like loose or fallen tree limbs, loose signage or awnings that are in danger of breaking off and falling.

Keep away from loose or dangling power lines, and report them immediately to the proper authority.

Walk or drive extra cautiously as washouts may weaken road and bridge structures.

In the event of a power outage, throw out food that may be spoiled.

Boil municipal water before drinking until you have been told it is safe.

If your home is damaged

Notify your insurance professional as soon as possible of any losses. If you had to relocate, let your representative know where you can be contacted. In addition:

Make temporary repairs—if they can be made safely—to protect property from further damage or looting; for insurance purposes, keep all receipts for materials used.

Get written estimates for any proposed repair jobs and use only reputable contractors. Be especially careful of building contractors who want huge deposits up front or encourage you to spend a lot of money on temporary repairs. Ask for their references and check with the Better Business Bureau on complaints.

Gather any other receipts for expenses that will be covered by insurance or will be tax deductible.

Hurricane Insurance and You

July 28, 2019 By Anna Brantley

Courtesy of iii.org

Florida accounted for 13 percent of all U.S. insured catastrophe losses from 1987 to 2016: $70.8 billion out of $364.3 billion, based on data from the PCS division of ISO. (Adjusted for inflation by ISO using the GDP implicit price deflator.)
Six of the 10 costliest hurricanes in U.S. history have impacted Florida. Four of these storms occurred within just two years: 2004 and 2005. (See chart.)
The costliest hurricane, based on insured property losses to Florida, was 1992’s Hurricane Andrew. It caused $25.4 billion in damage to Florida and Louisiana (in 2018 dollars). (See chart.)
Standard homeowners policies typically do not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is covered by the federally managed National Flood Insurance Program, but private flood insurance is becoming increasingly available.
Florida leads the nation in the number of flood policies, according to the National Flood Insurance Program, with about 1.8 million policies in force in 2017.
The number of people living in coastal areas in Florida increased by 4.2 million, or 27 percent, from 15.6 million in 2000 to 19.8 million in 2015, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. About 98 percent of the total population of Florida lives in one of the coastal counties.
In Florida, 2.8 million homes were at risk in 2018 for storm surge damage from hurricanes up to Category 5 strength, according to CoreLogic, Inc. These homes would cost $552.4 trillion to completely rebuild, including labor and materials.
Given the growth in the number and value of insured property, a repeat of the hurricane that devastated Miami in 1926 would have resulted in approximately $130.2 billion in insured damage in 2016, according to Karen Clark and Co.
After its establishment in 2002, when the state passed legislation combining two separate high-risk insurance pools known as the Florida Windstorm Underwriting Association and the Florida Residential Property & Casualty Joint Underwriting Association, Citizens Property Insurance Corp. (CPIC) experienced exponential growth. As a result, Florida Citizens has evolved from a market of last resort to the state’s largest property insurer.
Florida Citizens Property Insurance Corp. provides multiperil and wind-only insurance coverage to Florida homeowners, commercial residential and commercial business property owners.
Direct homeowners insurance premiums in Florida written by Citizens was $460.9 million in 2017 down from $795 million in 2014.
Citizens was the state’s fourth leading homeowners insurer in 2017, with a market share of 5.0 percent, down from 9.1 percent in 2014.
Florida Citizens had 482,765 policies with an exposure of $112.3 billion in fiscal year 2017, according to the Property Insurance Plans Service (PIPSO).