It’s that time again: Make sure you’re prepared for hurricane season

Of course, no one wants to think about this right now. We’re just getting into spring, so we should have a few months before we have to worry about — gulp! — hurricane season.

And although it’s still early, at least one organization is expecting the 2025 season to be busier than normal.

Colorado State University on Thursday, April 3, released its first extended-range forecast for the upcoming season, which begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30. CSU researchers are predicting 17 named storms, with nine expected to become hurricanes. Of those, CSU predicts four could reach Category 3 (winds of at least 111 mph) or higher.

Most Floridians know the drill: Stock up on water, canned goods, flashlights. Get a generator if you so choose, and make sure it works. Have propane in case you need to cook on your grill.

However, local State Farm Insurance agents Jo Barsh and Bryan Fifer also advise homeowners to have a preparedness checklist completed for their homeowners insurance policy. Doing so will help speed up the claims process — and alleviate stress and worry — should a catastrophic event occur at your property.

Here are three steps you should take now to ensure a smooth process in the future.

1. GET AN INSURANCE CHECKUP
When you purchased your home, you also purchased an insurance policy. But it could be years since you looked at that document, and now is the time to revisit it to understand your coverage.

You need to make sure you have adequate coverage and also understand any hurricane deductibles in your policy. Also, make sure you review coverages for other property, such as cars and boats.

Your insurance agent should be able to go over these steps with you and help you to understand some of the intricacies. With State Farm agents such as Barsh and Fifer, that help is just a phone call away.

2. TAKE INVENTORY OF YOUR HOME
“Having a documentation of your personal property will speed up your claim and allow you to provide proof, if needed, to your insurance carrier,” Fifer says.

Fifer and Barsh advise doing this with both photos and video. Go through your home, room by room, and document everything of value. This includes furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing, etc. It also is a good idea to record model and serial numbers when applicable, as well as estimated values of some the items.

Should you have to file a claim, this documentation can ensure you receive the proper amount to replace the items destroyed in a catastrophic loss. Moreover, creating this inventory beforehand takes one item off your plate in a time of disaster, Barsh says.

3. PROTECT IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
This is an often-overlooked but crucial piece of hurricane preparedness.

These documents should include birth certificates, Social Security cards, passports, property titles — and insurance documents and policy paperwork.

Although much of this is available online — and you should make sure you have your insurance provider’s app downloaded and signed in on your phone — in a disaster area, power and internet service often are issues. Having a hard copy of these documents will enable you to begin the claims process as quickly as possible.

To protect these documents, store them in a protected, waterproof container.

JO BARSH
PHONE: (407) 299-0301
ADDRESS: 317 West Road, Ocoee
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: jobarsh.com

BRYAN FIFER
PHONE: (407) 614-2622
ADDRESS: 3724 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Winter Garden
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: bryanfifer.com