Hurricane Insurance - Protection against hurricane devastation

Hurricane Katrina was the costliest and one of the deadliest hurricanes in the history of the United States. It was the sixth-strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded and the third-strongest hurricane on record that made landfall in the United States. Katrina formed on August 23 during the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season and caused devastation along much of the north-central Gulf Coast of the United States. The most severe loss of life and property damage occurred in New Orleans, which flooded as the levee system failed catastrophically, in many cases hours after the storm had moved inlandAfter the hurricane Katrina that ravaged the city of New Orleans, hurricane insurance has become a much desired insurance by many people living in areas prone to hurricanes and windstorms.

When shopping for travel insurance, you must be aware of coverage offered under the inclement weather clause. If you live in a hurricane prone area such as Gulf Coast states - Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas - you need to make sure that the policy you are buying includes coverage if your home becomes uninhabitable due to flooding. Note that bad weather impacts all coastal states including North Carolina, California and Hawaii. The travel insurance policies may include an inclement weather clause to cover such disastrous events. This clause covers most types of bad weather including hurricanes, tropical depressions, tropical storms, floods and snow storms.
If you are traveling to a hurricane prone area, you must also make sure that your hotel or vacation property will be covered in case of a weather related emergency. While a typical homeowner's policy covers wind damage, it only covers water damage that is a direct result of rain entering through a wind-damaged area.

Depending on the policy, it will also cover resulting fire or vandalism, debris removal and repairs, and cash or replacement value of damaged property. Additional living expenses (ALE) may also be provided should it become necessary for you to stay at a hotel if your home becomes unlivable.

Insurance adjusters are specially trained to tell the difference between flood and hurricane damage. However, since qualifications vary among insurance professionals, you might find yourself protesting the claim if you think it has been wrongfully determined by an inexperienced adjuster. You can also file a complaint with your state insurance department or as a last resort hire an attorney to continue the fight.
On the Web, find out more about protecting your home from hurricane damage, how to navigate the minefield of hurricane and flood damage coverage, when and how to file a claim, along with expert tips and advice, California earthquake insurance--Most standard homeowners, mobile home owners, condominium, and renters' insurance policies do not cover earthquake damage. Similar to flood insurance, earthquake insurance usually must be purchased separately.

Following are some tips regarding hurricane insurance:
-- Find a company to write your policy. If you have your home insured through a specific company, ask them if you are covered in case of a hurricane. If you're not, they will probley prompt you through and help you get a policy that would cover it.

-- Make sure you keep a disposable camera in the home.

-- If you home does get damaged during a hurricane, make sure to report it to your insurance company as soon as possible. The sooner you do, the more credible you seem. Make sure when making a claim to be as specific as possible and leave out the maybes.

-- If you have already made the claim and are waiting for the damage to be fixed, ask the company if it would be ok to remove any non-electrical items from the home. If there is flooding, do not go into that room if there is electrical appliances.

-- If you do not have a hurricane insurance policy, gather some quotes either online or call up local agencies. Quotes are the amount of premium you would pay for the coverage you want if you were to go with that company. Make sure to choose a reputable insurance company. www.ambest.org rates every insurance company in the US and is free to view.

-- If you want to get compensated for damages and you don't have proof of how a hurricane damage your home and your stuff you won't get reimbursed.

-- If you have a homeowners policy with a company, it is always good every year to go over your coverage amounts and make sure it adequately covers your home. Because if your home is under-insured, it won't be fully compensated.

-- If your home insurance does cover hurricane damage, make sure not to make any claims against your home. If you do that, you risk getting dropped from the company depend on the amount they pay out.

-- Insurance companies may not always be willing to insure you.