Prepare for Hurricane Season: Review Your Insurance Coverage

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division advises policyholders to review their insurance coverage as the hurricane season approaches, starting June 1. Meteorologists forecast that El Niño conditions may intensify as summer progresses, potentially increasing hurricane occurrences in the Central Pacific Basin and posing heightened risks to Hawaii.

Insurance Commissioner Scott K. Saiki highlights the urgency of this review, stating, “El Niño may cause more hurricane activity in the Pacific, so don’t wait to think about coverage. Once a hurricane or tropical storm is on the horizon, insurers may pause issuing new or expanded policies. Reviewing your coverage now helps ensure you’re protected when it matters most.”

It is crucial for policyholders to recognize that standard homeowners and renters insurance typically exclude hurricane and flood damage. To safeguard against hurricane-related losses, policyholders need to purchase hurricane insurance separately or as an endorsement to their existing policies.

Flood damage requires a different approach, usually necessitating a separate policy under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Since flooding can occur outside designated high-risk areas, property owners should consider obtaining flood insurance. It's important to account for the typical 30-day waiting period before NFIP coverage becomes active.

Policyholders are encouraged to contact their insurance agents or companies for updates on coverage or property changes. For further details on hurricane and flood insurance, as well as additional resources, individuals can visit the DCCA Insurance Division’s website.