Alabama Hurricane Insurance
(Here's how you can easily find coverage.)
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The Gulf Coast sees its fair share of hurricanes every few years. So if you work and live in Alabama, it's important to make sure your policies include enough hurricane insurance. You can find quotes on hurricane-proof insurance policies for your home, car, business and other important assets.
The combination of strong winds and driving rain make hurricanes a potentially disastrous prospect. A powerful storm system can level buildings, blow down trees, and cause widespread flooding. Make sure your insurance policies are ready for a hurricane long before it makes landfall.
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Hurricane Damage in Alabama
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina swept across seven states, including AL, and caused more devastation than anyone could have predicted.
- 1,836 people lost their lives, making Katrina the deadliest hurricane in US history.
- 275,000 homes were demolished.
- 15 million people were affected by the damaged economy, high gas prices, widespread evacuations, and unsafe drinking water.
The US lost $110 billion in damage related to Katrina. Many homeowners and business owners were unable to afford the cost of rebuilding, and had to move elsewhere.
Good insurance coverage can mean the difference between replacing your home free and clear, and being buried under a mountain of new debt after a disaster.
How Do I Get Hurricane Insurance?
Hurricane insurance isn't usually sold as a stand-alone policy, but you can make sure your current and future insurance policies include enough of the right coverage to protect you in the event of a hurricane.
- Homeowners insurance: Your policy probably already includes provisions for wind damage, hail and debris. But do make sure your deductible for hurricane-related damage is set at an amount you can afford to pay in an emergency. You may also need to update your contents coverage, if you have made any significant furniture, appliance or other purchases since you bought your policy. If your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), you can also protect your home from hurricane-related flooding and storm surges by purchasing a flood policy through that program. Note that homeowners insurance usually does not cover natural flooding, but a flood insurance policy can do so for a reasonable price.
- Car insurance: If you only have the AL state minimum liability insurance, your vehicle is not sufficiently insured against hurricane damage. Adding comprehensive coverage to your policy can protect your car from theft, vandalism and hurricane damage. Choose carefully whether you want to insure for actual cash value, which takes depreciation into account when paying out claims, or replacement cost, which can pay the cost of a new car if yours is totaled in a storm or other covered event.
- Business insurance: A good policy should include property damage coverage for wind and hail damage to your buildings, contents and equipment. You can also get comprehensive coverage for your commercial vehicles, and medical costs coverage for employees to help with any storm-related injuries. If possible, check into the cost of flood insurance through the NFIP for your business, because most business policies do not include natural flooding as a covered event.
If you have questions about your current policies, or need quotes on better coverage to protect your assets against hurricane damage, a local agent who lives right here in Alabama can be an invaluable resource.
Other Property May Need Hurricane Insurance
If you own any of the following, it might be a good idea to talk with an agent about the cost of getting specialized hurricane-ready insurance:
- A commercial fishing boat
- A recreational boat
- An RV
- A trailer
- A farm or ranch
- A mobile home
- Rental properties
Quotes can be customized to suit your budget and your property. You can also opt for renters insurance, if you do not own your home. Renters insurance can insulate you from the cost of hurricane damage to your furniture, electronics and other belongings.
It can also help with the cost of relocation if your rental home becomes unsafe due to hurricane damage.
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Get Quotes on Hurricane-Proof Insurance
There are local independent agents right here in Alabama who can do the comparison shopping for you. They are independent agents, which means they are free to consult with a wide variety of companies to find exactly the right fit for your needs and budget.
A local agent can also advocate for you if you ever need to file a claim after a major storm damages your home, vehicle, or other belongings. Contact an agent in your ZIP code to get the answers and quotes you need.
Hurricane science.org