NYSID Focus on Insurance During Hurricane Awareness Week

While it might be a more urgent priority in Florida or Texas rather than New York, hurricanes and tropical storms can nonetheless cause extensive damage all along the eastern seaboard.

It’s not surprising therefore that New York’s Insurance Superintendent, Gregory V. Serio, recognized Hurricane Awareness Week by advising New Yorkers to begin preparations now for the upcoming hurricane/coastal storm season. “At this time of year, I urge New York residents to take some basic actions to be prepared for the upcoming hurricane season,” Serio stated.

Governor Pataki has proclaimed May 19-25 “Hurricane Awareness Week” in hopes of convincing New Yorkers to “take necessary steps to ensure personal safety and minimize storm-related problems.” The official hurricane season starts June 1 and continues until November.

Serio recommend that New Yorkers review their insurance policies and their coverages, “because in any recovery process, individual insurance is the first line of defense. In addition, because standard homeowner policies do not include coverage for flood damage, it is important that homeowners and business owners review their need for flood insurance,” he added.

The NYSID bulletin gave details of the types of damage covered by flood policies and noted that, “Coastal area residents may need a separate flood insurance policy for protection against wind-blown water damage.”

The bulletin indicated that, “Homeowners’ insurance policies typically cover damage to your home as a result of such perils as wind and falling objects, while policies for coastal area residents may have a separate windstorm and/or hurricane deductible.”

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters New York Flood Hurricane