Disaster Preparedness |  |
Do you want to learn how to secure your property before a disaster and recover afterwards? The topics below will help understand how to protect your homebase.
Preparedness Resources
An important aspect of disaster preparedness is financial preparedness. This toolkit is designed to help you organize your financial information before and after a disaster. Keep several copies in safe places that you can access easily and, in the face of a disaster, keep a copy of this toolkit with you at all times.
Hurricanes aren't the only disasters that Floridians need to be prepared for each year. Wildfires, floods, tornadoes and sinkholes are other reasons why it pays to make sure your homeowners' insurance is adequate, and that your financial interests are up-to-date and protected.
This guide contains information that can be extremely valuable in the event of a natural disaster.
Hurricanes aren't the only disasters that Floridians need to be prepared for each year. Wildfires, floods, tornadoes and sinkholes are other reasons why it pays to make sure your homeowners' insurance is adequate, and that your financial interests are up-to-date and protected.
Do you need flood coverage? Standard homeowners' insurance policies don't cover flood damage. If you live in a flood-prone area, contact your agent about obtaining flood insurance. Depending on your home's location, you may qualify to enroll in the National Flood Insurance Program. You can get answers to general inquiries about flood insurance by calling the NFIP Help Center at 1-800-427-4661.
Purchasing and maintaining flood insurance is a requirement for certain applicants to qualify for homeowner's insurance coverage through Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. For more information visit www.citizensfla.com or call Citizens toll-free at 1-866-411-2742. Citizens is the state-run insurance company that provides coverage to consumers who are unable to find it in the private market.
Do you need windstorm coverage? Some homeowners' insurance policies do not cover damage caused by windstorms, such as hurricanes. If you have trouble obtaining a policy that does, you can check with Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, a state-run pool of last resort, by logging on to www.citizensfla.com or calling Citizens toll-free at 1-888-685-1555. Remember that insurance companies do not accept new applications or requests to increase coverage once a hurricane nears Florida.
Do you need more coverage? The value of your home and possessions may have increased during the past several years, or you may have made improvements or purchased expensive items such as computers or major appliances. Review your insurance policy and check your coverage limits. Consider increasing your coverage if your policy doesn't cover the value of your home and its contents. If you want to make policy changes concerning wind and water damage, it's best to contact your agent before the start of hurricane season on June 1.
What does your policy cover and exclude? Standard homeowners' insurance policies usually limit coverage on valuables such as jewelry, silverware, guns, antiques or boats. Check your policy and contact your insurance agent or company with questions, or to request additional coverage.
If you live in a condominium, find out what coverage your condominium association provides. You may need your own policy for the interior of your unit. You also should check the deductible amounts contained in your policy. All policies include deductibles for perils, or causes of possible loss, such as fi re, hurricane, hail, etc. In Florida, most homeowners' policies include a larger deductible for hurricane damage and a smaller deductible for other damage.
"Replacement Cost" vs. "Actual Cash Value": If you bought a television for $700 in 2017, and it gets destroyed by lightning, a policy written to cover "actual cash value," would pay an amount reflecting its current value, about $300. But if your policy is for "replacement cost," it would pay the complete amount for a new TV of a similar type and size - about $900.
Most coverage of the contents of your home is written on a cash-value basis. Keep receipts when you buy high-value items such as televisions and computers. You might need this information to verify the age and value of your possessions.
Inflation, renovations and rising property values increase the replacement cost of your home and its contents. Actual cash value may decrease over time.
What about "additional living expenses"? Additional living expense features of most homeowners' policies pay some expenses for losses that leave homes unlivable during repairs. Such expenses could include limited motel, restaurant and storage costs. Keep all receipts during this period. This feature does not apply to flood insurance.
Civil authorities, such as law enforcement agencies and emergency management services, sometimes issue mandatory evacuation orders that affect thousands of residents. Find out whether lodging and meals are covered if you must evacuate but no damage occurs to your property. Does any deductible or coverage limit apply?
Most policies will provide additional living expense coverage when a civil authority prohibits the use of a residence due to direct damage to neighboring homes by a covered threat. Policies generally offer this coverage without any deductible, and for losses of up to two weeks. If you have any questions, call the Department of Financial Services' toll-free Consumer Helpline at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).
Additional Resources:
Plan of Evacuation: Have a plan of evacuation, including a list of people to contact in the event you need to leave your home.
Home Information: List individuals to be contacted before and after evacuation (one person should be out of state). Include name, email and phone number.
List Evacuation Route Option: Establish two evacuation locations where your family will meet if you are not directed to a location by local authorities.
Medical Information: Be sure to have key medical information with you (List of medications, Health Insurance ID Cards, Record of Immunizations/Allergies, etc.) If you take prescription medications regularly, you should contact your pharmacy before a storm strikes to get prescriptions filled so that you don't run out.
Make an itemized list of your belongings: Include costs, purchase dates and serial numbers. Attach receipts, especially for "big ticket" items. Your insurance company may require proof of the cost of any item for which you make a claim. Dated photographs or videotapes of your possessions are also good ideas.
Take copies of your legal, financial and medical documents with you: This should include bank statements, insurance policies, mortgage information, credit card addresses and toll-free phone numbers, wills, birth certificates, passports and medical prescriptions.
Know Your Insurers: Write down the names of your agent and agency, your insurance company, your policy number and telephone numbers to report claims. Remember that the name of your insurance company might differ from that of your agent, agency or underwriter.
Do you have enough cash? Remember to withdraw money before a pending disaster. Since carrying or keeping large amounts of cash in your home can be unsafe, take out only as much as you'll need. Financial institutions usually close for at least two days after a direct hit by a hurricane, and ATMs could be out of commission even longer. Be sure to get receipts for cash purchases right before a storm.
Do you have enough credit? Keep and protect a credit card with an available balance of at least $1,000. Use credit cards to finance minimal repairs when necessary. Document all transactions.
Paying bills: If you pay bills by phone or online, try to pay them before a disaster hits, even if they are not yet due. Hurricanes and wildfires could interrupt phone service, causing you to miss payments and incur late charges. If you pay by mail, send payments as soon as possible. The U.S. Postal Service will not pick up mail within 24 hours of a hurricane strike. Keep copies of all payments mailed within three days of a natural disaster, if possible. After a storm, contact those you've sent payments to and confirm they have received them.
How can you safeguard your records? Keep insurance and financial papers in a secure and accessible place like a safe deposit box, or with a relative or friend. Include your insurance policy, inventory records, agent or company telephone numbers for reporting claims, mortgage and other loan contracts and payment records. You might need quick access to this information. If you need to evacuate, take records with you.
Make a pet plan: Inquire in advance how and where you can leave your pets. Specialized pet shelters, animal control shelters, veterinary clinics and friends and relatives out of harm's way are ALL potential refuges for your pet during a disaster. Prepare for Emergencies Now: Information for Pet Owners can be found at: Ready.gov
Additional Resources
Being prepared can mean staying in business after a disaster.
Additional Resources
In Case of Disaster
The Division of Consumer Services is hosting an Insurance Village from October 4 through October 6, 2024. The Village will serve as an opportunity for policyholders to meet with their property insurer in-person and work together to resolve outstanding claims. Representatives from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and more than a dozen insurers are expected to be on hand to assist insurance consumers.
Policyholders should bring as much documentation as they can, including:
- A driver’s license or other form of identification (Passport/State issued ID)
- Insurance cards and insurance policy information/documentation
- Pictures or documentation of the property being claimed as a loss resulting from Hurricane Helene
- Repair estimates
- Any additional insurance-related information that is readily accessible.
NOTE: The Insurance Village will exclusively focus on insurance related-issues and staff from other agencies will not be present to assist with other post-storm benefits. For more information visit https://www.floridadisaster.org/.
Locations & Times
The Village will be open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, EST.
Pinellas County at the Clearwater Parks & Recreation Long Center
1501 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
Insurance Companies:
- AAA
- Allstate/Castle Key
- American Integrity
- American Traditions
- Assurant
- Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
- Florida Farm Bureau
- Florida Peninsula/Edison
- Frontline/First Protective
- GEICO
- Heritage Flood
- Heritage Insurance
- Homeowners Choice/TypTap
- Homesite
- Kin Insurance
- Monarch
- National General/Beyond Flood
- Neptune Flood
- People's Trust
- Progressive/ASI
- SafePoint
- Security First Insurance Company
- Slide Insurance
- Southern Oak
- State Farm
- Tower Hill
- Universal P&C
- US Coastal/Safe Harbor/Orange
- USAA
- Wright National Flood
Other Insurance Related Entities:
- Department of Business & Professional Regulation
- DFS Division of Consumer Services
- DFS Criminal Investigations Division
- Insurance Consumer Advocate
- National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP/FEMA)
- Profile Gorilla
- Office of Insurance Regulation
- The Office of Senator Rick Scott
Allstate customers with damage related to the recent flooding may file a claim by multiple methods.
- Online at: allstate.com/claims/file-track
- Via phone at: 1-800-54-STORM (800-547-8676)
- On the Allstate mobile app
GEICO
GEICO customers with damage related to the recent flooding may file a claim by multiple methods.
- Online at: geico.com/response
- Via phone at: 1-800-841-3000
- On the GEICO mobile app
Progressive customers with damage related to the recent flooding may file a claim by multiple methods.
- Online at: progressive.com
- Via phone at: 1-800-776-4737
- On the Progressive mobile app
State Farm customers with damage related to the recent flooding may file a claim by multiple methods.
- Online at: statefarm.com
- Via phone at: 1-800-SFCLAIM
- On the State Farm mobile app
- Contacting your State Farm agent
USAA customers with damage related to the recent flooding may file a claim by multiple methods.
- Online at: https://www.usaa.com/inet/wc/natural-disaster-help?vurl=vurl_help
- Via phone at: 800-531-USAA (8722)
- On the USAA mobile app.
For more information:
Filing an Auto Claim
Flood Insurance Overview
The Flood Claims Process
- Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
Website: www.citizensfla.com
- Florida Surplus Lines
Website: www.fslso.com
- Insurance Information Institute
Website: www.iii.org/article/hurricane-season-insurance-guide
- Florida 511
Website: www.fl511.com
- Florida Highway Patrol
Website: www.flhsmv.gov/florida-highway-patrol/traffic-incidents-by-region/
Florida Division of Emergency Management
State Emergency Response Team (SERT)
Website: www.floridadisaster.org
Telephone Number: 1-800-342-3557
Florida Emergency Information Line (FEIL): 1-800-342-3557
Florida Relay Service: Individuals who make calls using the Florida Relay Service should dial 711.Agency for Health Care Administration
Consumer Complaint, Publication and Information Call Center: 888-419-3456 / 800-955-8771 (Florida Relay Service)
Website: www.ahca.myflorida.comAgency for Persons with Disabilities
Toll-Free: 1-866-APD-CARES or 1-866-273-2273
CDC+ Program Customer Service: 1-888-329-2731
Website: www.apd.myflorida.comAttorney General
Fraud Hotline: 1-866-966-7226
Price Gouging Hotline: 1-866-966-7226
Website: www.myfloridalegal.comAuditor General
Website: https://flauditor.gov/Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Consumer Assistance and Information: 1-800-HELP-FLA or 1-800-435-7352
Arson Hotline: 1-800-342-5869
Plant Industry Helpline: 1-888-397-1517
Fair Rides 24-Hour Accident Reporting: 1-800-663-3542
Website: www.followfreshfromflorida.comDepartment of Business and Professional Regulation
Unlicensed Activity Complaint Line: 1-866-532-1440
Website: www.myfloridalicense.comDepartment of Children and Families
Florida ACCESS Customer Call Center: 1-866-762-2237
Florida Abuse Hotline: 1-800-96-ABUSE or 1-800-962-2873
Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Website: www.myflfamilies.comDepartment of Citrus
Website: www.floridacitrus.org- Department of Commerce (formerly Department of Economic Opportunity)
Reemployment Assistance Program (Claims and Benefits): 1-800-204-2418
Website: www.floridajobs.org
Department of Corrections
Website: www.fdc.myflorida.comDepartment of Education
Website: www.fldoe.org/contact-usDepartment of Elder Affairs
Elder Helpline: 1-800-96-ELDER or 1-800-963-5337
Long-term Care Resident Complaint: 1-888-831-0404
Website: https://elderaffairs.org/Department of Environmental Protection
Website: www.dep.state.fl.usDepartment of Financial Services
Consumer Helpline: 1-877-MY-FL-CFO or 1-877-693-5236
Out of State: (850) 413-3089
Website: www.myfloridacfo.comDepartment of Health
Zika Hotline: 855-622-6735
Website: www.floridahealth.govDepartment of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Florida Highway Patrol (Traffic Incidents by Region): https://www.flhsmv.gov/florida-highway-patrol/traffic-incidents-by-region/
Website: www.flhsmv.govDepartment of Juvenile Justice
Central Communications Center Incident Hotline: 1-800-355-2280
Florida Runaway Hotline: 1-800-621-4000
Prevention Helpline: 1-866-757-0634
Website: www.djj.state.fl.usDepartment of Law Enforcement
Enforcement and Investigative Support & Crimes Against Children/Registration Violation Team: 888-335-3767
Missing and Endangered Persons Hotline: 888-FL-MISSING or 888-356-4774
Sexual Offender/Predator Registration Hotline: 888-357-7332
Website: www.fdle.state.fl.usDepartment of Lottery
Website: https://flalottery.com/homeDepartment of Management Services
Website: www.dms.myflorida.comDepartment of Military Affairs
Website: www.dma.myflorida.comDepartment of Revenue
Child Support Customer Service: 800-622-KIDS or 800-622-5437
Child Support Payment Inquiry: 877-769-0251
Tax Information and Assistance: 800-352-3671
Website: https://floridarevenue.com/Department of State
Website: www.dos.myflorida.comDepartment of Transportation
Real-Time Traffic and Roadway Information: 511
Road Ranger Service Patrol: *FHP or *347
Fraud Hotline: 800-255-8099
Toll Program (SunPass): 888-865-5352
Website: www.fdot.govDepartment of Veterans' Affairs
Website: www.floridavets.orgDivision of Emergency Management
Website: www.floridadisaster.orgExecutive Office of the Governor
Website: www.flgov.comFish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Wildlife Alert Program: 888-404-FWCC or 888-404-3922
Website: www.myfwc.comFlorida Cabinet
Website: https://www.myflorida.com/myflorida/cabinet/Florida Clerk of Court Operations Corporation (CCOC)
Website: https://www.flccoc.orgFlorida Commission on Offender Review
Victims' Services Unit: 1-855-850-8196
Website: www.fcor.state.fl.usFlorida Courts
Website: www.flcourts.orgFlorida Legislature
Website: www.leg.state.fl.usOffice of Financial Regulation
Website: https://flofr.gov/Office of Insurance Regulation
Website: https://www.floir.com/Public Service Commission
Website: www.floridapsc.com
Florida Division of Emergency Management - Disaster Information Page
The latest information on storm-related recovery resources.
Website: www.floridadisaster.org/disaster-updates/storm-updates/
Florida 511
Shows road closures from Florida Highway Patrol site.
Website: www.fl511.com
State Emergency Response Team - Division of Emergency Management
Currently open general and special needs shelters within the state of Florida.
Website: www.floridadisaster.org/shelter-status
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Resource
Federal assistance available to eligible individuals and families affected by this disaster.
Website: www.fema.gov/disaster/4828
FEMA - Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to your disaster questions.
Website: www.fema.gov/disaster/recover/faq
Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate
Guidance for flood insurance concerns.
Website: www.fema.gov/flood-insurance/advocate
Flood Claims to the NFIP
Learn how to file your flood insurance claim.
Website: www.floodsmart.gov/
U.S. Small Business Administration
Disaster assistance loans via the SBA.
Website: www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
Attorney General Price Gouging
Report price gouging online.
Website: legacy.myfloridalegal.com/Contact.nsf/PriceGouging!OpenForm
U.S Army Corps of Engineers (Blue Roof Program)
When active, this program assists with roofing mitigation.
Website: www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Emergency-Operations/National-Response-Framework/Temporary-Roofing/
Florida Commerce
Florida Small Business Bridge Loan Program
FloridaCommerce activates Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.
Website: link to press release
Florida Commerce
FloridaCommerce extends Grant Program Application Deadlines
Website: link to press release
Emergency Patient Look-Up
The Agency for Healthcare Administration activated the Emergency Patient Look-up System (E-PLUS). E-PLUS is a HIPAA compliant, cloud-based software solution designed to support public health officials and emergency responders to fill information gaps during disaster response. E-PLUS is made available by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) at no cost and enables authorized users to access medication and clinical histories, search for missing persons, and alert providers that their patients have been evacuated to Special Needs Shelters.
Website: ahca.myflorida.com/agency-administration/florida-center-for-health-information-and-transparency/office-of-health-information-exchange-and-policy-analysis/emergency-patient-look-up-system-e-plus
Hurricane Helene State-run Distribution Site Map
For food, water, tarps and more.
Website: link to map
Disaster Assistance
Locate and apply for various forms of assistance.
Website: www.disasterassistance.gov/
View the links below for important information.
