Hurricane Preparation
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34 • HURRICANE PREPARATION GUIDE • 2023 Staff Report While we can't schedule a storm-related crisis, we can plan to reduce the stress that comes with it. Knowing what's covered under your homeowner's insurance policy, which con- tractors to call if needed, as well as having important items in one safe place can make a big difference in reducing pocketbook stress. WHAT'S MY COVERAGE? If you haven't reviewed your homeown- er's insurance policy recently, sit down with your agent before suffering a loss. Verify there's sufficient hazard coverage on the value of your home — especially with rising area construction costs — and its contents. Are your contents reimbursed for actual or replacement cash value? That's the difference between what a used couch would fetch at a thrift store or a new one off the showroom floor. What happens if your windows are blown out, but current building codes require they be replaced by more expensive hurricane impact-resistant ones? "Law and ordinance" coverage pays for that significant differ- ential. If you don't have it, you pay for the upgrade. And your pool cage? After Hurricane Charley, most policies began dropping it from standardized coverage, making it a purchasable option. Seawalls and boat docks, however, cannot be insured. If shopping around, make sure you're comparing policies on an apples-to-apples basis, including the hurricane deductible amount. DO YOU NEED FLOOD INSURANCE? Only water damage caused by wind blow- ing water in through an opening is covered by hurricane insurance. Rising water dam- age caused directly by flooding is specifically excluded. That's why it's also important to talk with your insurance agent about a separate flood insurance policy. If you have a mortgage and live in what FEMA determines is a high-risk flood zone, you're required by the lender to purchase a policy. While not required, most homeowners in moderate-to-low-risk areas are eligible for coverage at preferred rates and should consider purchasing a policy as well. Just a few inches of interior water can cause tens of thousands of dollars in dam- age. Statistically, those outside of mapped high-risk flood areas file nearly 25% of all flood insurance claims and receive one-third of federal disaster assistance for flooding. Flood policies issued by the National Flood Insurance Program — and pur- chasable through most insurance agents nationwide — will be the best choice for the majority of homeowners. However, depending on residency status and flood zone area, private insurance policies may offer a better alternative. Those private companies also can offer excess flood insurance over and above standard NFIP limits. Don't wait. There's usually a 30-day wait- ing period after the premium is paid before a flood insurance policy becomes effective. HAVE A 'GO-TO' CONTRACTORS LIST Now's the time to prepare a list of trust- worthy contractors, because good ones are harder to get after a storm. That means hav- ing a plumber, air conditioning contractor, electrician, door and window installer and, if appropriate, a septic contractor and a pool and spa contractor. Ideally, you already have an existing relationship with many of these contractors. Not only does it allow you to trust their work, but current customers will usually get preferential treatment in an emergency. More than 300 licensed contractors — besides the key trades noted above — as well as aluminum, drywall and roofing contrac- tors and companies that specialize in debris removal, garage doors, gutters and painting, are in the Charlotte-DeSoto Building Indus- try Association's directory. Go to cdbia.com or call 941-625-0804. CDBIA vets all members, including veri- fication of appropriate state and/or county licensure, if it's required. It will also check licensure of non-members if requested. There is a similar association serving Sarasota County, the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association at ms-bia.org and 941-907-4133 x 309. BEWARE OF SCAMMERS Unlicensed activity typically increases after a storm as scammers prey on desper- ate situations. During a declared state of emergency, unlicensed contractor activity is a felony offense. Homeowners who knowingly hire unli- censed construction contractors face a fine of up to $5,000. Additionally, your insurance company may not cover work performed without a permit. To verify Charlotte County licensure, call 941-743-1201. For Punta Gorda, call 941- 575-3324. In North Port, call 941-429-7016. And in DeSoto County — including the city of Arcadia — call 863-993-4811. In Sarasota County, call 941-861-6678. For Venice, call 941-486-2626. The Better Business Bureau cautions homeowners to be wary of any contractor who demands full payment up front or asks to have payments made to an individual rather than a company. A contractor's vehi- cle should include the company's name and phone number. Resist high-pressure sales tactics. If pos- sible, use a credit card for added protection. Otherwise, pay by check, but never in cash. And get everything in writing. Hiring someone without liability and workers' compensation insurance could make you liable for personal injuries on your property and the cost to repair any damage. GET A PORTABLE FIREPROOF BOX Put important documents, an external backup to your computer's hard drive if it's not in the cloud, an extra set of keys for your house and car, your safe deposit box key, a list of your valuable possessions with pho- tos, and some cash in a fireproof-safe box. The Federal Trade Commission suggests those important documents should include copies of health insurance cards, Social Security cards, current prescriptions, policy numbers for auto, flood and homeowner's insurance, and a list of telephone numbers of your insurance companies. Also make front and back copies of all credit and debit cards and a list of bank, loan, mortgage and investment account numbers. REPORT PRICE GOUGING If there's a declared emergency in our area, Florida law prohibits extreme price increases on such needed commodities as food, water, hotels, ice, gasoline and lumber. If you suspect any price gouging, call the Attorney General's hotline at 866-9-NO-S- CAM (966-7226). Plan ahead to reduce POCKETBOOK STRESS PHOTO BY CHRIS TILLEY Bob Menchaca, a six-year resident on Myakka Drive, talks about his the 18 inches of floodwaters that devastated his home near North Port after the destruction of Hurricane Ian.