Hurricanes and tropical storms are difficult to predict, which can make preparing for inclement weather especially challenging. However, taking the right steps now can help protect your property and provide you and your family peace of mind long before a storm hits the radar.
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is expected to have a higher-than-average threat to U.S. landfalls, with forecasters predicting 17 named storms. To help you stay prepared, here are some important steps to take before hurricane season begins.
Review your policy and identify any gaps in coverage now
As your life changes, so do your insurance needs. By reviewing your policies on an annual basis, you can identify any areas where you may need to add or adjust coverage. For example, you may have insured your home for $200,000 when you first bought it. Due to recent inflation and supply chain issues, your home may cost $300,000 to rebuild in today’s market. That is a $100,000 gap in coverage, which could leave you without the proper resources to rebuild in the event of a loss.
Additionally, an insurance review can help you understand what type of damage may not be covered under your existing policies. For instance, most standard home insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Regardless of whether you live in a flood zone, flood insurance can help you protect your home and its furnishings against these damages, potentially saving you thousands in out-of-pocket expenses.
South Carolina Federal Insurance Solutions is able to provide standard flood insurance issued by the National Flood Insurance Program and Neptune Flood Insurance, a customizable private flood insurance option. Review our Flood Insurance page or talk with your insurance advisor for more information.
Be prepared to pay your deductible
Many consumers are experiencing increased deductibles on their insurance policies as insurers pass along rising claims costs. Tariffs are also expected to drive up these costs even higher. It is important to understand how an increased deductible will impact your budget if you file a claim.
A typical hurricane deductible can range from 1% to 5% of a home’s insured value. If your home is insured for $500,000 and your hurricane deductible is 3%, in the event of a total loss, you would be responsible for paying $15,000 toward damages before your policy kicks in. Also, it is not uncommon to have damages caused by a hurricane and a flood from the same event. A flood policy has two separate deductibles, one for the building and one for personal property contents. If each of those deductibles are $2,500, you would pay an additional $5,000 for flood damage caused by a hurricane. In this scenario, you would pay a total of $20,000 before your insurance starts covering the remaining costs.
If you are not sure how you would pay a large deductible, you are not alone. Many adults do not have enough emergency savings to cover unexpected repairs in today’s market. Whether you are just getting started or want to ramp up your savings, South Carolina Federal Credit Union offers a complimentary financial wellness platform, which has tools to help you build your emergency fund. Click here to get started.
Create a home inventory
A home inventory is a detailed log of all of your possessions. Many insurance carriers recommend keeping an up-to-date home inventory, as it can help ensure you have enough coverage and save time and stress when filing a claim.
Your home inventory should account for nearly every item in your household. From appliances to furniture, and any miscellaneous items in storage, your list should be comprehensive and include the following:
- Item description including the serial or model number. If possible, use photos or videos to record everything inside and outside of the home and other structures on the property.
- Cost and date of large purchases with sales receipts or appraisals.
- Estimated replacement cost of each item.
Assembling a household inventory may feel like an overwhelming project. However, completing it in advance of a severe weather event can save you valuable time once a storm is projected for your area. Once you have completed your home inventory, store it in a safe deposit box or another location where it can be accessed easily in an emergency. Hurricane season starts June 1, which means homeowners should plan ahead to ensure coverage is in place before a storm hits the forecast. From the date of purchase, there is a 30-day waiting period for a standard flood policy to take effect. Private flood insurance waiting periods can vary. To help you prepare for hurricane season, contact us to schedule a complimentary review of your coverage.
