Hurricane Preparedness Week: Causey explains what citizens need to know for protection

With hurricane season rapidly approaching, Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey urges North Carolinians to use National Hurricane Preparedness Week, which runs May 5-11, as a time to prepare for the potential of extreme weather.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Forecasters are predicting that the 2024 hurricane season will be especially busy, dangerous, and potentially expensive to home and property owners.

"The best time to prepare for hurricanes is before hurricane season begins," said Commissioner Causey. "Having an emergency kit in place and making sure you have the appropriate insurance coverage will go a long way in protecting your family and home from dangerous storms and flooding."

Preparation before a storm is key. Commissioner Causey encourages all individuals and families to have a storm-readiness plan in place. Families should discuss the plan, so everyone knows how to respond once a storm hits. Additionally, homeowners and renters should review their insurance plans to ensure proper coverage if disaster strikes. Residents should also take a home inventory to document what they own. This will help insurance companies examine potential losses and assure proper coverage.

North Carolinians should also be aware of the following:

* Most homeowners' and renters' insurance policies do not cover damage from floods, although most mobile homeowners' and comprehensive auto policies do.

* A landlord's insurance policy likely won't cover damage to a renter's personal property.

* The National Flood Insurance Program takes 30 days to take effect. Waiting to take out a flood policy once a storm or hurricane is in motion will be too late.

* Just because there's no longer a mortgage on a home does not nullify the need for homeowners' insurance.

Since it takes 30 days for a flood policy to take effect, now is the time to contact your agent to see if you have the proper coverage. Commissioner Causey has approved a statewide private flood insurance program that participating companies can offer to residents living anywhere in the state. The program is separate from the National Flood Insurance Program.

Commissioner Causey has set up free flood insurance conferences across the state to educate the public on the need for flood insurance. Insurance agents, real estate agents, adjusters, engineers, and architects can receive continuing education credits by attending one of these conferences.

Sadly, fraud is very common after a big storm. Commissioner Causey encourages storm victims to avoid roofing and contractor scams by only working with licensed and insured contractors. Our NCDOI Criminal Investigations Division has a staff of Special Agents across the state who investigate reports of insurance fraud daily. For more information about how to report fraud and how to protect yourself and loved ones, visit www.ncdoi.gov/reportfraud.

For a list of tips and resources to help you prepare before, during, and after a storm, visit www.ncdoi.gov/disaster.