Insurance experts caution: Prepare now for active hurricane season
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season may have begun on June 1, but it is never too late for property owners to prepare. The U.S. insurance industry is advising homeowners and businesses in hurricane-prone areas to take steps for what is projected to be an especially active six-month period.
One of the premier forecasting institutions in the United States, the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University (CSU), predicts1 an above-average 2020 hurricane season that will see an estimated 19 named storms, with nine expected to become hurricanes and four of those reaching the Category 3, 4 or 5 stages.
Take steps now to fortify property for hurricane threats
There are straight forward and affordable steps that can be taken to protect property, both personal and commercial, say experts from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).
“Strengthening your property against hurricanes and high winds starts with simple tasks … like caulking your windows or scheduling a roof inspection,” said IBHS Chief Engineer Dr. Anne Cope.
Insurance check
One of the most important steps property owners can take ahead of hurricane season costs nothing – review and understand your insurance policy.
It’s important for renters, homeowners and businesses to understand what is covered, what isn’t and to go to their insurance agent with any questions. It’s also wise to bookmark your insurance company’s claims filing page so that you can quickly file claim from anywhere in the event that a storm forces an evacuation.
For commercial property and business owners, an established, trusting relationship with an insurance agent is often the key to getting back to work quickly when a natural disaster strikes.
1 Colorado State University: Extended Range Forecast of Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity and Landfall Strike Probability for 2020 https://engr.source.colostate.edu/increasing-forecast-slightly-csu-researchers-predict-very-active-2020-atlantic-hurricane-season/