Can I still get home insurance? What to know ahead of Tropical Storm Ian arriving to Florida [Miami Herald]

Tropical Storm Ian is expected to become a hurricane before making landfall in Florida later this week.

Powerful winds and copious rain will likely impact parts of the Sunshine State. The lower Florida Keys has been placed under a tropical storm watch, which means in the next 48 hours the region might feel tropical storm conditions.

Here’s what you need to know about insurance ahead of Tropical Storm Ian reaching Florida.

Can I still get insurance?

It’s too late to purchase flood coverage for Tropical Storm Ian. Insurance policies take 30 days to become effective, said Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications at Insurance Information Institute.

You shouldn’t buy new coverage or change existing coverage over the course of a natural disaster event, he said.

Friedlander says Florida insurers usually will put a hold on new insurance policies, called a moratorium, once a hurricane or tropical storm warning or watch is issued for the state. Florida has already seen its first warning, as the lower Florida Keys from Seven Mile Bridge southward to Key West is under a tropical storm watch.

“This applies even if the storm is not forecast to impact a specific area,” he said.

Friedlander said he recommends planning ahead of hurricane season and conducting an annual insurance checkup with your agent to review your policies and identify gaps in coverage.

Why are insurance moratoriums in place?

Moratoriums are a standard insurance procedure for when hazards strike — or are about to strike — an area, Friedlander said. This usually happens during natural phenomenons, such as wildfires and major tornadoes outbreak.

When do moratoriums lift?

Friedlander said policy moratoriums are usually lifted after the threat has passed. However, the timeline depends on the insurance company.

Are moratoriums in effect if I’m not in the storm’s cone?

Florida insurers enact a statewide moratorium once a storm watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for any county in the state, Friedlander said.

He added that the moratorium isn’t based on the projected trajectory of the storm. It applies even if the storm is not expected to hit to the policyholder’s area.

What should I do if my property was damaged and I’m uninsured?

If you’re affected by a storm, you should file a claim to FEMA.

If you are uninsured, Friendlander said you’d have to wait for FEMA emergency grants to be issued. He warns that getting the grant could be a “very complex process”, and the average grant is only about $10,00.

“That’s why we say don’t count on FEMA to help you recover,” he said. “That is why it is so important to have insurance because it provides actual protection for you and your family.”

Does car insurance cover storm damage?

Comprehensive car insurance covers storm-related damage to your vehicle, such as if a tree falls on your car or it is affected by flooding, Friedlander said. It can also cover a garage collapsing on your vehicle if your home is severely damaged.

But you have to check if you opted into comprehensive insurance. He noted that about 80% of U.S. drivers are enrolled in this optional coverage.

Is there anything I should do before Ian hits?

Before the storm, Friedlander suggests that you conduct a home inventory and takes pictures or videos of your possessions, including furniture, clothing and electronics.

Documenting your possessions can make the claim process easier.

Miami Herald Staff Writer Omar Rodríguez Ortiz contributed to this report.

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