AAA Highlights Rising Hurricane Preparedness Concerns Among Georgians
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season was notably severe, ranking as the third costliest on record with damages totaling $129.7 billion and featuring multiple Category 5 storms. This heightened impact has amplified preparedness concerns among residents in Georgia, with a recent AAA survey indicating that 23% of Georgians feel more anxious about potential storms compared to the previous year. To mitigate risks, AAA emphasizes the importance of proactive measures including reviewing insurance policies, securing homes, and acquiring necessary supplies well ahead of storm season.
Survey data reveals a strong commitment to preparedness among Georgians, with 58% reporting advanced preparations. Common actions include purchasing emergency supplies such as batteries and portable chargers (43%), stocking extra food and water (32%), and taking property protection steps (21%). However, only 20% have reviewed their insurance coverage, a critical safeguard highlighted by AAA experts. Homeowners are advised to verify that their insurance limits align with current rebuilding costs and to consider flood insurance, which is excluded from standard policies and subject to a 30-day waiting period.
Vehicle owners are also encouraged to maintain comprehensive auto insurance to cover hurricane-related damages like flooding and debris impact. Importantly, insurance carriers often implement moratoriums on policy changes as storms approach, reinforcing the need to review and update coverage early. Understanding hurricane-specific deductibles is crucial as well; these are typically a percentage of insured home value rather than fixed amounts, with Georgia policyholders benefiting from paying a hurricane deductible only once per calendar year regardless of storm frequency.
In addition to insurance preparedness, physical home fortification is a key strategy to mitigate damage and potentially lower insurance premiums. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) recommends a range of protective measures categorized by cost—from low-cost actions like caulking gaps and trimming trees to higher-cost investments such as installing impact-resistant windows, hurricane shutters, and fortified roofing systems. The IBHS also advises on power reliability through whole-house generators during extended outages.
AAA's guidance focuses on an integrated approach to hurricane readiness, combining insurance review, property reinforcement, and emergency planning. This holistic strategy aims to reduce financial and physical vulnerabilities during hurricane events. With the unpredictability of storms, early preparation is emphasized as a critical factor in safeguarding lives and property in Georgia and similar at-risk regions.
The AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey, conducted in April 2025 among Georgia residents, supports these insights with empirical data, underscoring rising anxiety and varied preparedness behaviors ahead of the hurricane season. Industry professionals and insurers should consider these trends in their risk assessment, customer advisories, and policy development to address evolving consumer concerns and enhance resilience against natural disasters.