New Home Insurance Policies After Hurricane Season: What Homeowners Need to Know
Hurricane season in New Orleans brings challenges that leave many homeowners facing storm damage and asking tough questions about their insurance coverage. Once the storms pass, securing a new home insurance policy can feel like an uphill battle. Insurance companies tend to tighten restrictions and raise premiums in hurricane-prone areas. At Irpino Avin & Hawkins, we’re here to guide you through the process, helping you navigate the complexities and make the best decisions to protect your home.
The Challenges of Securing New Home Insurance After Hurricane Season
Finding a new home insurance policy after hurricane season is no easy task. If your home is located in a high-risk area or has sustained damage from previous storms, many insurers may increase your premiums or exclude certain types of damage from your coverage.
Hurricane-prone areas often see a spike in premiums after the season ends. Insurance companies take on more risk in these regions and may require higher deductibles for wind or flood damage. In some cases, insurance providers might even exclude certain storm-related damages from coverage, leaving you with limited options.
The Upside: Why Securing a New Policy Is Still Worth It
While securing a new policy after hurricane season can seem like a daunting task, it’s essential for your peace of mind—and there are some potential upsides. If your previous policy left you underinsured, now is the time to correct those gaps and improve your coverage.
Improved Coverage Options: Getting a new policy provides the opportunity to reevaluate your coverage and make sure you’re not underinsured. Many homeowners don’t realize until after a storm that their existing coverage wasn’t enough to cover their losses. Now is the time to ensure you’re properly protected from future hurricanes. For example, if your previous policy lacked personal property coverage or offered only partial coverage for flood damage, this is your opportunity to upgrade your protection.
Upgrading for Flood and Wind Damage Protection: Many policies differentiate between wind damage (covered under regular home insurance) and flood damage (which usually requires separate flood insurance). Review your new policy closely to ensure it covers both types of damage adequately, or consider purchasing additional flood insurance.
New Discounts and Incentives: Some insurance companies offer discounts for hurricane-proofing measures. Adding storm shutters, reinforcing your roof, or installing a sump pump could reduce your premiums or make it easier to get comprehensive coverage.
Key Considerations When Getting a New Policy
Review Deductibles Carefully: Some policies may impose higher deductibles specifically for hurricane or wind-related damage. Make sure you understand what your out-of-pocket costs would be in the event of another storm.
Watch Out for Exclusions: Check for any exclusions related to named storms. You need to ensure your policy covers the types of damage most likely to occur in New Orleans, particularly wind and flood damage.
Consider Bundling Policies: Bundling your home insurance with other policies, such as auto insurance, can sometimes help lower premiums or offer better overall rates.
Working with Experienced Hurricane Damage Attorneys
The process of getting a new home insurance policy after hurricane season can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Irpino Avin & Hawkins, we’ve helped countless homeowners in New Orleans deal with insurance companies and make sure they get the funds they need to recover after a storm. Our experienced attorneys can review your policy options, identify gaps in coverage, and help you find the best solution to protect your home against future storms.
Take Action Now, Protect Your Home With Help From Irpino Avin & Hawkins
Don’t wait until the next storm to address your home insurance needs. At Irpino Avin & Hawkins, we can help you secure a new home insurance policy that offers the protection you need, and fight for you if the insurer isn’t getting you what you deserve. Contact us today for a consultation and let us guide you before or after a hurricane.