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Hurricane Season 2006

The devastation from a hurricane is often immeasurable. Some homes get completely wiped out, while others are victims of extensive damage. If you live in an area of the U.S. that is vulnerable to hurricanes, protect your home and your family with comprehensive home insurance and flood insurance. Hurricanes travel varying paths, and while you may believe that you are not in harm’s way, the best defense is to take the extra precaution and insure your home and possessions.

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The hurricane season is from June 1 through the end of November. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts 13 to 16 tropical storms forming over the Atlantic Ocean, with the potential for ten to become hurricanes – six or more could be Category 3 or higher. While this is not as many hurricanes as the 15 that occurred in 2005, it is still a significant reason to obtain proper flood insurance coverage. Consider the impact that Hurricane Katrina had – the National Climatic Data Center estimates Katrina caused $100 billion in damage and now tops the list as the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history.

The Institute for Business & Home Safety, a national nonprofit of the insurance industry, has developed a list of recommendations to better protect your home from hurricane damage, including attention to soffits, shingles, shutters, seals, and surroundings.

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Additional considerations should be given to manufactured homes, since they have unique weaknesses to high winds. One major recommendation is to “tie down” the home and any structures to secure them from hurricane damage.

Keep in mind that damage from flooding will not be covered with a typical homeowners insurance policy and must be purchased separately. If you are in a high risk area for flooding, flood insurance is imperative. Even if you don’t live in a high risk area, the threat of flooding is a reality. Hurricanes weaken to tropical storms and can cause torrential rains and high winds – enough to do significant damage.

A final recommendation is to keep thorough records of your possessions, including estimated values for each item. Keep this information in a fireproof and waterproof location – if you should be the victim of a hurricane, you will have an accurate record for filing a claim.

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