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 Hurricane Information
Hurricane Binding
When the National Weather Service issues a watch or warning for either a tropical
storm or hurricane for any part of Florida, we cannot increase coverage or
write new policies until the all clear signal has been given.
For the most accurate and timely information regarding tropical
storms and hurricanes, please visit the National Weather
Service’s Tropical Prediction Center at the National
Hurricane Center.
Be Prepared
Protecting and safeguarding your family, home, property and other important belongings from different threatening events requires preparation. Here are several checklists and preparation procedures that you can use to help you safeguard your home and family. Your agent will have additional information and more helpful safety and prevention materials.
If your home is damaged, you can report your loss by contacting your
agent directly, or you can call our claims office directly at (877)
581-4863.
If you have questions about your policy or billing, please contact
your agent. If you are unable to reach your agent, you may call Customer
Services at Royal Palm between 8:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. The Customer
Service telephone number is 866-351-3055.
Hurricane Preparation and Recovery
In the event that a hurricane or tropical storm threatens your area,
the National Hurricane Center has tips for safeguarding your family
and home, or use the information below to ensure you are ready for a
storm.
Family Disaster Plan
- Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. Know
your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.
- Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home
for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances the safest
areas may not be your home but within your community.
- Determine escape
routes from your home and places to meet. These should be
measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.
- Have an out-of-state
friend as a family contact, so all your family members have
a single point of contact.
- Make a plan now for what to do with
your pets if you need to evacuate.
- Post emergency telephone
numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how
and when to call 911.
- Check your insurance coverage; flood damage
is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.
- Stock non-perishable
emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit.
- Use a NOAA weather
radio. Remember to replace its battery every 6 months, as
you do with your smoke detectors.
- Take First Aid, CPR and disaster
preparedness classes.
Securing Your Home
Retrofitting Your Home
The most important precaution you can take to reduce damage
to your home and property is to protect the areas where wind can enter.
According to recent wind technology research, it's important to strengthen
the exterior of your house so wind and debris do not tear large openings
in it. You can do this by protecting and reinforcing these five critical
areas: Roof, straps, shutters, doors, garage doors.
A great time to start securing -- or retrofitting -- your house is
when you are making other improvements or adding an addition.
Remember: building codes reflect the lessons experts have learned from
past catastrophes. Contact the local building code official to find
out what requirements are necessary for your home improvement projects.
Flood Insurance
The National Flood Insurance Program is a pre-disaster flood
mitigation and insurance protection program designed to reduce the
escalating cost of disasters. The National Flood Insurance Program
makes federally backed flood insurance available to residents and
business owners. Flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners
insurance. Do not make assumptions. Check your policy and contact
your agent. For more information on the National Flood Insurance Program
call (888) CALL-FLOOD ext. 445, TDD# (800) 427-5593, or visit the
NFIP website.
Source: National Hurricane Center |
