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⚡ 53 Days to June 1st

2026 Hurricane Season
Homeowner Preparedness Checklist

Most homeowners find out their insurance won't cover the full damage after the storm. This checklist helps you get everything in order before that conversation happens.

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35+ Years Experience 10x Average Settlement No Upfront Cost Nashville & South Florida

Insurance companies send their own adjusters after every storm. Those adjusters work for the insurance company — their job is to minimize what you're paid. The homeowners who win are the ones who show up prepared.

With 35+ years handling storm damage claims across Nashville and South Florida, we've seen the same mistakes over and over. This checklist is what we walk our own clients through. It's free because an informed homeowner is our best customer.

10x
Average settlement increase when a public adjuster is involved
35+
Years serving Nashville & South Florida homeowners
$0
Upfront cost — we only collect if you get paid more
📋

Step 1: Get Your Insurance Documentation in Order

Do this right now — before a storm is in the forecast. You'll be glad you did at 11pm after a hurricane makes landfall.

Locate your insurance declarations page Critical
Your "dec page" lists your policy number, coverage limits, deductibles, and named insured. You'll need this to file a claim and to dispute a low settlement.
Store a photo of it in your phone's photos AND email it to yourself. Paper copies get lost in floods.
Know your deductible — especially for hurricanes Critical
Most Florida policies have a separate hurricane deductible that's 2–5% of your home's insured value — not a flat dollar amount. On a $400K home that's $8,000–$20,000 out of pocket before insurance pays a cent.
Call your agent today if you're unsure what your hurricane deductible is.
Create a home inventory (video walkthrough) Critical
Walk through every room and narrate what you own — appliances, electronics, furniture, jewelry. Store the video in cloud storage (Google Photos, iCloud). This is your proof of what you had before the storm.
Film inside every closet and drawer. Serial numbers and model numbers are gold during a claim.
Photograph the exterior of your home today Important
Take timestamped photos of your roof, siding, windows, fence, and landscaping. These "before" photos are critical when an adjuster tries to claim damage was pre-existing.
Review your policy's covered perils and exclusions Important
Standard homeowner policies cover wind damage. Many do NOT cover flooding — that's a separate flood insurance policy (NFIP or private). Check both. If you're in a flood zone without flood insurance, get it now.
Save your insurer's claims phone number in your phone Helpful
Don't search for it during a storm. Find the 24/7 claims line on your policy or your insurer's website and save it as a contact now.
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Step 2: Pre-Storm Home Preparation

Start this checklist when a storm is in the Caribbean. Don't wait for a watch or warning — by then it's too late for some of these steps.

Bring in all outdoor furniture, décor, and loose items Critical
A patio umbrella becomes a missile at 100+ mph winds. If it's in your yard, it can become your liability when it crashes through your neighbor's window. Store everything inside or in the garage.
Board up windows or install storm shutters Critical
If a window breaks, rain enters and water damage escalates fast. Plywood works (at least 5/8" exterior grade). Hurricane film is better. Shutters are best. Without protection, insurers may dispute "opening in the building envelope" claims.
Garage doors are the #1 structural failure point in hurricanes. Reinforce with a horizontal brace kit.
Trim overhanging branches near the house Important
Insurers can deny damage claims when a tree you failed to maintain causes the damage. Trim branches over your roof and remove dead trees now, while a licensed arborist can help.
Check your roof for missing or lifted shingles Important
A small pre-storm roofing issue can turn into a massive water intrusion claim after a storm. Have a roofer inspect your roof this spring. Any pre-existing damage that gets worse in a storm can complicate your claim.
Know your evacuation zone and have a plan Important
Check your county's evacuation zone map (available online). Know which shelter accepts your pets. Have a 72-hour go-bag ready with medication, documents, chargers, and cash.
Turn your refrigerator to coldest setting 24 hours before the storm Helpful
If power goes out, a colder fridge keeps food safe longer. Fill your freezer with water bottles to add thermal mass. A full freezer stays safe for 48 hours without power.
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Step 3: What to Do Immediately After Storm Damage

The first 24–48 hours are critical. What you do right now determines how much you get paid.

Document EVERYTHING before touching or cleaning up Critical
Walk every inch of your property with your phone camera rolling. Capture wide shots and close-ups of every single damaged area. This is your evidence. Insurance adjusters have seen it all — you need proof.
Do this BEFORE you move anything, tarp anything, or let a contractor touch anything. Undocumented damage = disputed damage.
Call your insurance company within 24 hours Critical
Most policies require "prompt" claim notification. Waiting can give the insurer grounds to reduce or deny your claim. Call even if you don't know the full scope of damage yet — you can update it.
Make only emergency temporary repairs — document all costs Critical
You're allowed (and required) to prevent further damage — tarp your roof, board a broken window, pump out water. But keep every receipt. Your insurer must reimburse reasonable emergency mitigation costs.
Never do permanent repairs until your insurance company has inspected. You'll lose your claim.
Get everything in writing — don't rely on phone calls Important
After every call with your insurer, send a follow-up email summarizing what was discussed. "Per our call today, you confirmed that X." This creates a paper trail if they change their story later.
Do NOT give a recorded statement without preparation Important
Insurance companies often ask for recorded statements early in the process. You're not required to give one immediately. Speak with a public adjuster or attorney first if the damage is significant.
Keep a detailed log of all expenses and displacement costs Helpful
If you're displaced from your home, your policy's "Additional Living Expenses" (ALE) coverage pays for hotel, meals, and more. Save every receipt. Keep a daily log of what you spent and why.
Know Your Options

When to Call a Public Adjuster vs. Going It Alone

Most homeowners don't know public adjusters exist. Here's what the difference looks like in practice.

✗ Handling the Claim Yourself

  • The insurance adjuster works for the insurance company — their job is to pay as little as possible
  • You're negotiating against professionals who handle hundreds of claims a year
  • You may not know what's covered or how to document hidden damage
  • Initial settlements are routinely 30–70% below what the home actually costs to repair
  • Once you accept and sign, it's very hard to reopen the claim

✓ Working with Country Public Adjusters

  • We work exclusively for you — not the insurance company
  • 35+ years experience reading policy language and identifying covered damage
  • We document everything the insurance adjuster might miss (hidden moisture, structural damage)
  • Our clients average 10x the initial settlement offer
  • Zero upfront cost — we only collect a percentage if we get you more

Not sure if you need us? A free inspection costs you nothing and tells you where you stand.

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Already Have Storm Damage?
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Water Damage Claims
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South Florida Storm Damage
Hurricane claims in SoFlo
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About Country PA
35+ years, your side only