With numerous beaches along the Gulf Coast, Tampa remains a popular destination on the travel checklists of many travelers. Tampa is a beautiful place to call home, with some of the world’s oldest restaurants, and it’s packed with adventurous theme parks with a massive diversity of flora and fauna. Did you know that Florida Aquarium, much appreciated by marine enthusiasts, is located in Tampa? Tampa is not only brimming with natural beauty, but the infrastructure of Tampa provides a strong backbone for a safer and better standard of living for families.
The warm sea breeze wafting across the Gulf coast gives rise to afternoon thunderstorms, cooling the atmosphere immensely. This is one of the main reasons why temperatures in Tampa rarely go beyond 99 degrees. While Tampa is susceptible to hurricanes, the last one to make landfall here was Hurricane Debby in 2012.
During a hurricane, the force of the winds pushes the water towards the shores creating a ‘storm surge’. So, it’s best to stay clear of beaches and stay at home. Hurricanes can cause severe damage to your house and belongings and quickly deplete your finances. At such times home insurance comes in handy. Remember that flood damages due to hurricanes are covered under a separate policy issued by the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) administered by FEMA. Apart from this, it’s essential to purchase home insurance for your home and personal property. Consult your agent before purchasing any insurance policy as some cover repair costs while others cover the value of the damaged goods.
How to be hurricane-ready and minimize damages during a hurricane
First, know your area’s hurricane risk; visit FEMA’s ‘Know Your Risk Map’ and sign-up for weather alerts, so you are pre-warned.
- Learn your evacuation zone so that you can move quickly during a hurricane emergency.
- Close all windows and doors. To protect your windows, use storm shutters or nail pieces of wood to the exterior window frames.
- Turn off the electricity if you observe water, downed power lines, or need to leave your house.
- Keep tabs on recent updates on the hurricane through TV, news or online sources.
- Have your ‘basic disaster supplies kit’ ready that contains water, food supplies, a first aid kit, a flashlight, a cell phone charger, garbage bags, and wet wipes. This should last you for at least 72 hours.
- In case evacuation is required, you may consider including prescription medication, important family documents, warm blankets, and some paper and a pen.
In case of hurricane damages, call your insurance provider and inform them about all the damage that has occurred to avoid the chances of claim reduction citing negligence. Insurance providers try their best to find loopholes and reduce your claim, so follow procedures carefully. Use the services of a public adjuster like Experienced Public Adjusters to help you tide over this difficult period and claim your just settlement.
Experienced Public Adjusters has a team of committed public adjusters with years of experience and expertise. We are licensed professionals who assist you during the entire claim filing process. We understand the technical insurance jargon written in policies and complete all the documentation required to process your claim. Our team of professionals knows the ins and outs of insurance companies and how they function; they use that experience to guide you through the entire process safely.
Call Experienced Public Adjusters today for help with filing a hurricane claim in Tampa.