Protecting Your Coastal Home During the 2021 Hurricane Season

The 2021 hurricane season arrives June 1 and runs to November 30 with expert predictions of slightly above-average activity over the record-breaking, brutal 2020 season. Anticipation, planning, and action are the keys to protect your prized coastal home in advance of this 2021 hurricane season. 

You can’t stop hurricanes from making landfall in your area, but nothing can stop you from preparing for the worst outcome should one slam your Jersey shore beach home. In this report, you’ll find suggestions for protective steps you can take to get ready, including getting a timely review of your NJ Coastal Home Insurance coverage.

How to Prepare for a Hurricane Should a Hurricane or High Winds Hit Your Home.

• Stock up now to reduce stress, avoid frantic crowds, and the inevitable runs on supplies. As a bonus, you are more likely to remember and get all your emergency supplies of food, water, and medicines ready in case of a hurricane. 
• Keep copies of written instructions, prescriptions, doctor’s orders, and all your critical medical information in a file ready to go. Include phone numbers with your vital contacts, insurance information, and other essential data in your emergency file. 
• Check your home’s exterior. Start with the roof looking for loose shingles or other apparent needs for repair. Examine your rain gutters and downspouts to ensure they are attached securely. Clear your rain gutters and any areas of debris or material that can clog your gutters and drains. 
• Make sure water drains away from your house. If you live in an area known to experience frequent flooding, you’ll need a suitable supply of sandbags, plywood, rolls of plastic sheeting, and lumber on hand. Keep the tools you need to use these supplies together and easily accessible.
• Tighten down and secure your outbuildings, fences, gates, and signs as much as possible. 
• Survey your landscaping. Trim back foliage that is touching or too close to your home. Cut tree limbs that are too near your home, thin your tree branches, and top off trees if necessary. 
• Be ready to secure your windows with boards precut to size or better install storm shutters to protect them.
• Identify everything that is not permanently installed outside, including outdoor furniture, waste removal cans, gardening and pool equipment, and all objects that can otherwise become flying missiles and move them into the house, garage, or secure them as carefully as possible.
• Buy a portable generator or have one installed to use during power outages. Since portable generators can emit carbon monoxide, keep them 20 feet away from the living areas of your home. Follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions and do an annual dry to know how to use your generator safely. Make sure you have an adequate fuel supply for the generator. 
• Create a regularly updated family disaster plan and make sure all members receive it and understand the procedures outlined in it. Take evacuation orders seriously. If you have small children, elderly family members, or other occupants who might need extra time, be ready to evacuate before roads become jammed. 
• Arrange for sheltering your pets if they are not traveling to leave the hurricane zone with you.
• Make a video or take photos of your home’s exterior and interior, including all valuable possessions stored in drawers, chests, or closets. You’ll need accurate records to use for making insurance claims and proving you suffered uninsured losses for tax deductions.
• Review your homeowner insurance coverage with a qualified professional. You want to make sure you have adequate policy limits and that you have all the necessary insurance coverages you need to give you the peace of mind that you’ve done all you can to protect your coastal home. 
• Bookmark the National Hurricane Preparedness page of the Weather.gov site. The information there will help you stay aware and adjust to its advice for hurricane preparedness and tips from your local officials.

Your Homeowner’s insurance policy, Flood Insurance policy, and related coverages that comprise your NJ Coastal Home Insurance needs are critical to safeguarding your home should a hurricane cause damage to it. As homeowner policies exclude damage caused by flooding, hurricane preparation should include purchasing flood insurance now due to the 30-day waiting period for coverage to become effective. 

You will experience unparalleled expertise in protecting against losses affecting your dwelling, its contents, loss of use, loss of rental income and loss of personal possessions (for those renting out their homes), personal liability, and more from us. The Dickstein Associates Agency brings decades of experience in securing the best coverages for coastal residents. As independent agents, we will shop markets for all the coverages you need at competitive prices. 

About Dickstein Associates Agency

Dickstein Associates Agency has distinguished itself as a leading provider of personal and business insurance in the tri-state area for over 55 years. We pride ourselves on being advocates for our clients and providing them with quality and affordable coverages. As Trusted Choice™ independent insurance agency, we partner with various national and regional carriers, allowing for flexible and unbiased coverage for each client’s unique circumstances. For more information on how you can leverage all your insurance to work best for you, and how we can secure the best insurance in the marketplace based on your specific needs and business objectives, contact us today at (800) 862-6662.