Severe weather preparation for homeowners

Severe weather preparedness checklist

Most of the time, simply closing windows or bringing in lawn chairs is all that's needed to ride out a passing thunderstorm or seasonal rain shower. But when tornadoes or strong winds, torrential rains, hailstorms, or other major weather events hit, you should know a few severe weather preparation tips to minimize potential damage to your home and property.

Step 1: Secure the exterior of your home

Strong winds can easily toss heavy objects through the air and cause damage to your home. Ahead of a storm, consider:

• Check your roof: Be sure to regularly check the health of your roof, shingles, and chimney to ensure no leaks are bound to happen in the next storm. An annual, professional roof inspection ahead of storm season may save you money in the long run.
• Install storm shutters: Storm shutters can help shield your windows from flying debris, but in a pinch, you can cover vulnerable areas with plywood.

Step 2: Regularly check and maintain gutters and downspouts

Another important aspect of severe weather preparation is checking that your rain gutters are clean and debris-free. A heavy storm can dump a significant amount of rain in a short time. If your gutters aren't clear, they could clog, overflow, or be damaged, rendering them useless.

Step 3: Remove dead branches and trees

It's also a good idea to trim the trees and shrubs on your property. You may also want to have a professional gauge the health of your trees and determine if you need to remove any of them. Falling trees and broken tree limbs can cause damage to structures and vehicles, especially when strong winds and rain push them to their limits. An annual check on the health of the trees on your property is also worthwhile as homeowners insurance may not help in the event damage is caused by dying and/or rotting trees. Learn more about how homeowners insurance may cover fallen trees.

Step 4: Review your homeowners insurance policy

The worst time to find out about your policy's particularities are when you're filing a claim. It's best to review your policy on an annual basis to ensure you understand the ins and outs of how your policy works and if there are any exceptions. For example, if you live in an area that's prone to hurricanes, you may have a separate hurricane deductible in the event of hurricane damage. You may also find that some types of damage are excluded from your policy.

What to do once severe weather passes

Once the storm has passed and you and your family are safe, head outside to see if there is any damage to your home and/or surrounding areas. If there is, your homeowners insurance may help repair or rebuild parts of your home's physical structure.

Additionally, if your personal property is damaged, your policy may help cover the cost of replacing your personal belongings, up to your coverage limit and minus any homeowners insurance deductible. Contact your insurer or agent about the damage incurred and how your policy may be able to help.