Before hurricane season starts each year, you should:

• Review your insurance coverage with your agent.
• Make sure you have adequate coverage, especially if you have made additions to your home, made expensive purchases or have had property value increase.
• Check your policy for windstorm and flood coverage. Make sure your standard homeowner’s policy covers windstorm damage caused by wind or hail.
• Consider purchasing flood insurance if your home is in a flood zone as determined by the National Flood Insurance Program. Since there is an automatic five-day waiting period for flood insurance, purchasing flood insurance should be done before hurricane season.
• Know what your policy does and does not cover. · Review your policy for deductible, exclusion and coverage information including: relocation, temporary living expenses and personal injury. Standard homeowners’ usually limit coverage on valuable jewelry, silver and guns.
• Update your list of personal belongings. Maintain a current room-by-room inventory including: serial numbers, purchase dates and cost of valuables. If your home is damaged or destroyed, it will be hard to remember details. Since your insurance company may require proof of cost, attach receipts to the inventory list. Videotapes or photographs are a good way to document your person al inventory.
• Safeguard your records. Keep a copy of your policy and your inventory records in a safe deposit box. Make two copies; keep one in a fireproof home vault and give the other to a friend or relative. If your property is damaged, you will need quick access to this information.

For more information on insurance coverage, call Florida's toll-free Insurance Consumer Helpline at 1-800-342-2762 or 1-800-528-7094.