Hurricane Guide for the 2018 Hurricane Season

2018 Hurricane Season is upon us... are you ready? Hurricane Season is from June 1st to November 30th. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasters predict a near or above normal 2018 Atlantic hurricane season.  In fact their Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a 75% chance that the season will be near or above normal. 

Floridians are no strangers to hurricane preparedness. In the face of a natural disaster, we Floridians know to secure our property and stock up on nonperishable food and water, but when faced with a Natural Disaster are you really prepared? 

Have you asked yourself any of these questions?

• Do I have the right insurance in place to protect my home?
• Do I need flood coverage? Do I need windstorm coverage?
• What does my policy cover and exclude?
• Do I know the difference and do I know what I have between "Replacement Cost" vs. "Actual Cash Value"?
• What about additional living expenses?

If you are unsure on any of these and/or know you don't have the coverage and want to know how much it is to get the coverage to protect your assets - Call Natwick Insurance, Inc. 321-735-0381. Our agents are ready to help you navigate your insurance coverage to ensure you are protected before a hurricane or other natural disaster happens.

An Emergency Supply Kit can be helpful during and after a hurricane. Here is an Emergency Supply List with basic items recommended in your kit. After taking a look at these items, consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets or seniors. 

This Natural Disaster Guide is your guide to help you know what to do before and after a disaster strikes. (Guide is provided by MyFloridaCFO.com)

There is another important aspect of emergency preparedness that is often left undone - financial preparedness. In the aftermath of a hurricane no one should have to have the worry of searching for account information and trying to remember the details about all of the things you own. Good News! Emergency financial documents are one of the easiest things to prepare which will help to makes sure you have everything you need right at your finger tips during and after an emergency. This Emergency Financial Preparedness Toolkit is designed to help you organize your financial information before and after an emergency. (Toolkit is provided by MyFloridaCFO.com)

Do you own a business? If your organization is vulnerable to hurricanes and other natural disasters, it is important that you understand your risk, develop a preparedness and mitigation plan, and take action. Doing so will not only increase the safety of employees and customers, but it will help you remain in business after a hurricane. 

It is important to remember that injury, damage, and even further damage following a hurricane such as fire, business interruption or even increased repair or recovery costs can set your business back if you don't have a plan.  

According to FEMA's Natural Disaster Impact Report 40% of small businesses won't reopen immediately following a disaster, 25% more small businesses will close one year later, and 75% of businesses without a plan will fail three years later... These numbers are staggering when you put into perspective your business is your livelihood. 

Know what to do before, during, and after a disaster to protect your business & employees:

• Determine your critical business functions. Here is a Critical Business Functions Guide to help identify critical business functions that are integral in resuming operations following a hurricane.
• Develop a workplace emergency plan and be sure your employees know it.
• Communication is vital! Create a crisis communications plan to keep in contact with customers, suppliers, and employees during and after a disaster. ​Here is an Emergency Communications Check List to help you prepare.
• Test and practice your preparedness plans. 
• Have emergency supplies available at the workplace.
• Check your insurance policies to ensure you have enough coverage. Not just coverage for the damage from the Hurricane but also ask yourself if you can afford your business not operating for any period of time. 

​Our team of experienced agents can help you navigate your personal and commercial insurance policies to identify any risks or gaps in coverage. Call 321-735-0381 or e-mail Info@NatwickInsurance.com

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Research and Information Sites:
www.myfloridacfo.com www.sba.gov