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Hurricane tips - storm season is
coming
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SAN ANTONIO (Business Wire) It is the time of year when homeowners living on or near the coast start getting nervous
hurricane season. Insurer USAA has five tips on how homeowners can prepare for the worst.
* Insure to value. Call your insurance company to determine if you have adequate coverage to replace your structure and its
contents if disaster strikes.
* Determine if you need flood insurance. Under typical homeowners policies, flooding is not a covered event, so homeowners
need to look for additional coverage through National Flood Insurance Program carriers, which offer affordable coverage. Flood
insurance may reimburse you, in certain situations, for actions taken to prevent damage and clean-up expenses.
* Don't be surprised by deductibles. Read your insurance policy, and know
your wind and hailstorm deductibles. [See quote from Texas Department
of Insurance (TDI) below.]
* Batten down the hatches. Protect your home with regular outdoor cleanup: clear brush, trim dead branches, and remove dead
trees to lessen the amount of quick-burning fuel or potential flying debris near the home. Secure outdoor objects that could
be blown around by storm winds.
* Take advantage of added protection. Consider an impact-resistant roof, which may qualify you for an insurance credit.
Companies insuring homes in Texas may offer either dollar amount deductibles or percentage deductibles. According to Gary
Julian at TDI, the most common percentage deductible is probably 1 percent. The amount of deductible is based on the amount of
coverage on the dwelling. Some companies also offer large deductibles of 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4 or 5 percent.
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) dwelling premiums also contemplate a deductible of 1 percent (but, not less
than $100) of the amount of insurance. TWIA also offers a $100 and $250 deductible and the same large deductibles as those
mentioned above, Julian says.
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