When hurricane season 2021 began a few months ago, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted that this would be another active Atlantic hurricane season.1 In the past week, two storms, Fred and Grace, passed near Puerto Rico and fortunately only left a few inches of rain in some areas of the island. We are now in the middle of what many experts consider peak hurricane season in the Caribbean – September being the most active month.
Many property insureds are still waiting for their Hurricane Maria claims to be paid so they can continue with proper repairs. In the meantime, their hope is that no other major hurricane lands in Puerto Rico.
It is important for property insureds to be prepared each year for hurricane season, especially those that have only mitigated and not completely repaired past damages and who would be more vulnerable if another hurricane were to strike Puerto Rico. Some of the suggested measures are:
- Have an updated copy of your policy insurance.
- Take pictures of your property inside and outside to have proper evidence of the conditions.
- Try to mitigate pending damages such as water leaks, broken windows, and doors.
- Save all receipts for the property’s mitigation repairs and maintenance, especially those related to the roof, windows, doors, walls, paint, and other areas.
- Plan ahead on how you can protect your property in the event another storm or hurricane affects the area, such as installing shutters, additional insurance coverage, and removing all possible hazards to the property in case of wind and water threats.
If you have any questions or concerns about your policy, contact your insurance company and request answers to your questions and for a complete copy of the policy. Remember, hurricane season ends in November, so there is still time to prepare and avoid property damage.
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1 https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-predicts-another-active-atlantic-hurricane-season (May 20, 2021)