Don’t Get Soaked this Hurricane Season: Top 10 Ways to Protect your Home and Wallet

TAMPA – June 8, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Now that the Atlantic Hurricane Season is here (June 1 – Nov. 30), the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) urges residents in hurricane-prone areas to prepare their properties and protect their finances.

“Everyone living along the Gulf Coast and the Atlantic Seaboard should be ready for hurricane season. At a minimum, home and business owners need to protect their windows and doors, make sure their roof is in good shape, and have their trees and shrubs trimmed,” said Julie Rochman, president & CEO of IBHS.

“Now is also the time for property owners to review their personal emergency plans and homeowners insurance, complete a home inventory if they haven’t already, and stock on up needed supplies so they are ready for a potential storm. Don’t wait until it’s too late,” Rochman cautioned.

In its new infographic, IBHS and the Insurance Information Institute (III) recommend inexpensive home improvement projects and specific steps homeowners should take to ensure they are protected financially after a hurricane.

Top 10 Ways to Protect Your Home and Wallet from Hurricane Damage

1. Re-adhere shingles to prevent water damage to your roof decking.
2. Secure soffits to the walls to keep them from blowing off and allowing wind-driven rain into your house.
3. Seal gaps in outer walls to prevent water from getting in.
4. Protect windows and doors against flying debris and pressurization with shutters or pre-cut shutter panels that can be put in place quickly.
5. Trim trees away from your home and remove any weak sections that might break off and fall or become flying debris.
6. Review your homeowners/renters insurance policy to make sure you understand what is covered and what isn’t (such as flood damage).
7. Check your coverage limits to ensure you can rebuild your home and replace your personal belongings.
8. Consider flood insurance because flooding is not covered by homeowners or renters insurance.
9. Check your hurricane/windstorm deductible and consider putting aside additional money to rebuild your home, if the amount is high.
10. Update your home inventory to speed up the insurance claims process if you have damage; this will also be useful if you apply for disaster aid.

Additional details are available in the infographic and on IBHS’ website at:www.DisasterSafety.org and III’s website: www.iii.org.

Editor’s Note: IBHS building science experts are available to speak with media about preparing for, responding to, and recovering from hurricanes this season. IBHS has b-roll from its full-scale hurricane research conducted at its unique Research Center, and also has other resources to assist you with your coverage. Available experts from IBHS:

• Julie Rochman, President and CEO
• Dr. Timothy Reinhold, Senior Vice President of Research and Chief Engineer
• Chuck Miccolis, Senior Engineering Manager, Commercial Lines (commercial buildings)
• Gail Moraton, Business Resiliency Manager

Infographic available for use with attribution to IBHS and III. Download at: www.disastersafety.org/wp-content/uploads/locks-hurricane-infographic-iii-ibhs.png. 

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About the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)

IBHS is an independent, nonprofit, scientific research and communications organization supported by the property insurance industry. The organization works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other risks on residential and commercial property by conducting building science research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparedness practices.

MEDIA CONTACT: Stacy Williams, APR, 813-675-1045 (O) /