Plan now for hurricane season

With an active hurricane season predicted, the State Corporation Commission's Bureau of Insurance is reminding Virginians to review insurance policies to make sure they have the coverage needed if disaster strikes.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30 each year.

Once a hurricane develops in the Atlantic, it may be difficult to find an insurance company willing to write hurricane-related coverage for your home, vehicle or business until after the storm threat passes.

Even areas hundreds of miles from the coast can experience floods and other damage caused by hurricanes' high winds and torrential rains. Most hurricane damage is caused by flooding, not high winds. Even minor floods can cause extensive damage to your home, vehicle, business and belongings.

"Don't wait until it's too late. The time to prepare for hurricanes is now, before the first storm starts to form," said Virginia Insurance Commissioner Scott A. White. "Hurricanes can wreak havoc on your home and other property. Review your insurance policies now and know what is and is not covered. If you have questions, contact your insurance agent or company or the Bureau of Insurance."

The Bureau offers the following reminders:

Homeowners, renters and commercial insurance policies issued in Virginia typically do not cover damage caused by floods, surface water or storm surge. The federal government sells insurance for direct flood and flood-related damage to homeowners, renters and businesses in eligible communities through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Keep in mind that there is typically a 30-day waiting period for a new flood insurance policy to take effect. To learn more about this program, contact your insurance agent or the NFIP at 877-336-2627 or visit floodsmart.gov. Some private insurers also offer flood policies, so check with your insurance agent about the availability of a private flood insurance policy. Flood coverage available through the NFIP may differ from private flood coverage, so it's important to understand the differences. No matter which option you consider, ask whether your flood policy covers your personal property.

Some homeowners insurance policies require a special deductible for wind or hurricane losses. These deductibles may be applied separately from any other deductible on the homeowners policy. Deductibles may be written as a flat amount, such as $1,000, or as a percentage. A percentage deductible is based on the insurance coverage limit, not the amount of damage, such as 2% of a $200,000 coverage limit ($4,000). Remember that the deductible is the amount that you must pay before the insurance company pays its portion of a claim.

Don't wait to prepare a home inventory of your personal property, which should include photographs, videos and serial numbers. Having a home inventory can facilitate the claims process if damage occurs. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners offers a free home inventory app – available through the App Store and Google Play.

Keep your insurance policies and home inventory together in a secure, waterproof and fireproof place.

If your property is damaged by a hurricane, contact your insurance agent or company as soon as possible. As soon as it is safe to do so, make any necessary emergency repairs and take reasonable steps to prevent further damage to your property. Additionally, make a list of all damage to your property and include photographs, notes and repair-related receipts.

If you must evacuate, know the name of your insurance company and take your insurance policies and your home inventory with you, or make sure you can access these important documents electronically. The policies will contain your policy numbers and the phone numbers of your insurance companies in case you have questions or need to file a claim.

The Bureau of Insurance offers free disaster readiness resources on its website including consumer guides for homeowners and commercial property owners with information about what to do when a disaster strikes. These and many other consumer insurance guides are available on the Bureau's website. The Bureau's specially trained staff stand ready to assist consumers with their insurance-related questions and concerns. To learn more, contact the Consumer Services Section of the Bureau's Property and Casualty Division toll-free at 1-877-310-6560.

For additional emergency preparedness information regarding hurricanes and other types of disasters and hazards, visit the Virginia Department of Emergency Management at vaemergency.gov.