Protect Your Home for Storm Season

The hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30. Take the following steps now to protect your home (and your pocketbook) this summer.

Check your insurance. Make sure you have enough homeowners insurance to rebuild your home. Even if the market value of your home has decreased over the past few years, rebuilding costs have continued to rise. Review your insurance amount every few years based on current building costs, and let your insurer know if you’ve made any major home improvements.

Fill coverage gaps. Consider adding sewage backup coverage to your policy, which can cost just $50 per year to add $10,000 to $20,000 in coverage that pays if a sewer line backs up. Also consider buying flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (see www.floodsmart.gov for details).