Severe weather like hurricanes can wreak havoc on your home, damage your vehicle, and sidetrack your summer vacation. That’s why AAA is sharing its top insurance policies for hurricane season to help Floridians protect their property and travel plans. But first, The Auto Club Group is releasing new findings from its annual hurricane season survey.
According to the survey, about 1-in-5 Florida residents (19%) do NOT make advanced preparations for hurricane season or severe weather. Even more concerning, 24% say they would ignore warnings to evacuate in the event of a hurricane. Of those who would evacuate, more than half (56%) say they would not leave their homes unless an approaching hurricane was a category 3 or stronger.
Why Floridians would ignore evacuation warnings:
“Staying in the path of a potentially deadly storm is just not worth the risk,” said Mark Jenkins, Public Relations Manager for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Take steps now to develop an evacuation plan for your family and pets. If you’re worried about property damage, contact your insurance advisor. Having adequate coverage will give you the peace-of-mind in knowing that anything damaged while you’re gone can be repaired or replaced.”
Top Insurance Policies for Hurricane Season
Hurricanes and severe weather can severely damage everything from your home to your travel plans. Here are some important coverages to consider this hurricane season:
Important Steps Homeowner’s Should Take Right Now
Importance of Flood Insurance
Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States. The historic flooding earlier this year in South Florida is a reminder that it doesn’t take a hurricane to cause catastrophic flood damage. It’s also proof you don’t have to live in a high-risk flood zone to experience flooding.
“Even if your property is not considered ‘high risk’, remember that flooding can happen anywhere in Florida. All it takes is the right amount of rainfall to put your property in peril,” said Jennifer Pintacuda, President of AAA’s Florida-based insurance companies. “During the past year, Floridians who were living far away from the coast experienced severe flooding. Storms can be unpredictable. Hurricanes can stall overhead. That’s why we encourage all Floridians to consider a flood insurance policy. But act now. If you wait until a storm forms, it could be too late.”
There is a 30-day waiting period for all new flood insurance policies issued through FEMA. However, more than half of survey respondents (52%) were not aware of that.
According to AAA’s survey, 67% of Floridians do not have flood insurance. The reasons cited were:
Flood Insurance Facts
About AAA - The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states, the province of Quebec and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, banking and financial services, travel offerings and more. For more information, visit AAA.com.
About the AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey
The AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey was conducted online among residents living in Florida from April 20 – 27, 2023. A total of 400 residents completed the survey. Survey results asked of all respondents have a maximum margin of error of ± 4.9% points. Responses are weighted by age and gender to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the adult population (18+) in Florida.
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