Hurricane Season in Florida: It’s Not About Fear - It’s About Feeling Prepared
If you’ve lived in Florida for any length of time, you know hurricane season is simply part of life! (Salt Life! Woot Woot!) Every year, the forecasts begin, we start looking for Jim Cantore to show up and our fear level is solely based on what Waffle House does! The spaghetti models start filling social media feeds, and the grocery store shelves suddenly lose all of their bottled water.
But here’s the good news: hurricane preparedness doesn’t have to be stressful.
At Chickadee Insurance, we believe being prepared isn’t about expecting the worst - it’s about creating piece of mind before the first storm is ever named.
Think Beyond the Hurricane Kit
Yes, you’ll want flashlights, batteries, bottled water, and non-perishable flood. Those are essentials.
But one of the most overlooked parts of hurricane preparedness is protecting what happens after the storm.
Ask yourself:
Do I know what my homeowners insurance actually covers?
Could I easily create a list of everything inside my home if I had to file a claim?
Do I know where my insurance policy is stored if the power or internet goes out?
Would my deductible surprise me?
These questions are just as important as stocking up on supplies.
Your Smartphone Is One of Your Best Emergency Tools
Before a storm threatens Florida (or where ever you may live!), spend 15 minutes doing these simple tasks.
📸 Walk through your home with your phone and record EVERY room.
📸 Open closets, cabinets, and drawers.
📸 Photograph expensive electronics, jewelry, appliances, and furniture
📸 Save the video to cloud storage (you can even send it to us to save to your account!)
If you ever need to file a claim, you’ll have a visual inventory that can make the process much easier.
Don’t Forget the Outside
Your roof isn’t the only thing at risk during a hurricane.
Take photos of:
Your roof (if you can safely do so!)
Landscaping
Fencing
Pools
Screen Enclosures
Detached garages or sheds
Outdoor furniture
These “before” photos can become incredibly valuable if damage occurs.
Know Your Deductible Before You Need It
Many Florida (and other coastal area) homeowners are surprised to learn that hurricane deductibles work differently than standard homeowners deductibles.
Instead of a flat dollar amount, many hurricane deductibles are based on a percentage of your home’s insured value. Some also believe that this deductible is a percentage of the total loss.
Knowing what that amount is today can help you avoid unexpected financial stress after a storm.
Flooding Doesn’t Care About Zip Codes
One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is:
“I don’t live near the the beach, so I don’t need flood insurance.” OR “I’m not in a flood zone.”
In reality, EVERY home is in a flood zone and the only thing different is the level of risk your home is in and the risk is NEVER zero. And, the bigger reality is, that your risk of flood, even in the most preferred, lowest risk area changes all the time and you may never know it. Changing landscape is a big factor and risk levels change over time due to new neighborhood construction, aging draining systems, and shifting weather patters. Your risk can be changing and you would never know it. Flooding can happen almost anywhere after heavy rainfall or storm surge.
Remember:
Homeowners insurance generally does not coverage flood damage.
It’s worth having a conversation about whether flood insurance makes sense for your home. And securing flood insurance when you’re home is in a “preferred” flood zone, can potentially save you thousands of dollars per year down the road if your zone changes and your mortgage company potentially forces you to purchase coverage.
Here is a link to a very important news article about the mass damage to the Asheville, NC area from Hurricane Helene in 2024. https://avlwatchdog.org/barely-1-of-buncombe-structures-carried-flood-insurance-data-show/
A Little Preparedness Goes a Long Way
Preparation isn’t about panic.
It’s about giving yourself one less thing to worry about when the weather becomes unpredictable.
As a boutique, woman-veteran-owned insurance agency, Chickadee Insurance believes every client deserves personalized guidance - not a one-size-fits-all portfolio.
Whether you’re reviewing your homeowners coverage for the first time or simply want a second opinion, we’re here to help you understand your options before hurricane season puts them to the test. Storms can be truly unpredictable, and we’ve almost become immune to the “fear” that the media tries to impart. With that immunity, many no longer heed the warnings of mandatory evacuations so above all else, please make sure you and your family are safe! Remember, if you’re area is under mandatory evacuation, you will be the last to receive help if you stay and you need it. Take care of you and we can handle your nest later!
Stay safe, stay informed, and remember - preparation today, creates peace of mind tomorrow.
Watching over your nest. 🪺
Do not hesitate to reach out if you’d like a coverage review.
📧 summer@chickadeeinsurance.com
📱Call or Text: (352) 437-7482
Or you can submit a contact request with document attachments on the contact page!
🌴Serving homeowners throughout the Sunshine State and beyond 🌴