🌀 5 Essential Hurricane Season Tips for Your Home Insurance Coverage

Living in Florida means sunshine, beaches—and preparing for hurricane season. As coastal homeowners know, one strong storm can cause serious damage. That’s why it’s critical to make sure your homeowners insurance policy is storm-ready, just like your property.

At North Broward Insurance Solutions, we believe peace of mind starts with knowledge. Whether you’re a homeowner in Port St. Lucie, Hutchinson Island, Vero Beach, or along the coast in Cocoa Beach or Merritt Island, here are 5 hurricane insurance tips to protect your home and finances.

1. Review Your Hurricane Deductible

Many Florida policies include a separate hurricane deductible, which is typically a percentage of your home’s insured value (often 2%–10%). That means if your home is insured for $400,000, you could be responsible for the first $8,000–$40,000 in hurricane-related damage.

Tip: Don’t wait until a storm is brewing to find this out—review your deductible now, and talk with an expert to understand your options.

2. Understand What’s Not Covered

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, even if it’s caused by a hurricane. For that, you’ll need a separate flood insurance policy through the NFIP or a private flood insurer.

Tip: Wind-driven rain, sewer backup, and temporary housing (ALE) coverage vary by policy. Make sure your coverage fills the gaps before hurricane season hits.

3. Take Inventory of Your Home’s Contents

In the aftermath of a storm, claims move faster when you have a detailed home inventory. Document your belongings with photos, serial numbers, and receipts, and store them digitally or off-site.

Tip: Some insurance apps even let you upload inventory items directly for safekeeping and easy claims processing.

4. Don’t Let Prior Claims Stop You from Shopping Around

Many homeowners with past hurricane or water damage claims feel stuck with their current carrier. The truth is, you still have options.

Craig Appleman, Florida Independent Insurance Agent with North Broward Insurance Solutions, can help you compare policies—even if you’ve had recent claims. You may be surprised by the coverage and savings available through independent markets.

5. Check for Coverage Gaps—Before the Storm Is Named

Once a hurricane is within a certain distance of Florida, most insurers freeze new business or policy changes. That means you won’t be able to adjust coverage or buy a new policy.

Tip: Act before a storm is named. This is your window to make adjustments, update your coverage, and get help understanding your policy.

💼 Meet Your Local Expert: Craig Appleman

Craig Appleman is a trusted Florida Insurance Agent working out of our South Florida office, and he’s passionate about helping coastal homeowners statewide. From Broward County to the Treasure Coast, Craig provides:

• Personalized home insurance reviews

• Hurricane deductible breakdowns

• Flood policy options (NFIP & private)

• Support for homeowners with previous claims

• Coastal-friendly insurance markets

📞 Ready for a Hurricane Insurance Checkup?

Don’t leave your biggest asset exposed this storm season.

👉 Call or text Craig Appleman today at 954-637-3481, or email [email protected]
👉 Or visit northbrowardinsurance.com to request a free quote or policy review.