by Sharon Early

Created on: September 02, 2011   Last Updated: September 03, 2011

Preparing you home for a hurricane that is bearing down on your area can often be key in saving your home and saving money on home repairs. This may sound a bit mercenary but the first thing you need to check is your insurance documentation, ensure that your policy is paid up and in good standing. It is important to know exactly what your home owners or flood insurance policy does or does not cover. Battoning down the hatches means more than just tying or strapping down everything on and around your house that is not nailed down or firmly attached. You may want to cover your roof and strap everything down as well as you can to anchors that are firmly anchored into the ground, but only after you board up your windows and any doors with large glass panes. You will also want to secure any valuables and turn everything off before you evacuate your home.

First things first, ensure that if you live in an area that is prone to storm damage or hurricanes, you have the right amount and type of flood or homeowner's insurance to cover any damage that a storm may cause to your property. Long before you hear reports that a hurricane is headed your way you should have had a nice long jawjacking conversation with your insurance broker or carrier about the proper level and amount of insurance protection is appropriate for you and your home. Do not let your policy lapse or be canceled, even if, at some point, you have to reduce the amount of coverage to make your insurance more affordable, keep up with your insurance premiums and make sure that your insurance documents are among the important papers that you  keep in a safe easy to access place and which, when you evacuate you will take with you.

For your windows and doors, plywood nailed or bolted to the window frame to bear the brunt of the wind and weather, and which can withstand being hit by flying debris in the storm. Leave each window open at least a tiny crack so that you can equalize the barometric pressure in your home. A major difference between the barometric pressure inside a closed structure and outside in the storm can cause your windows to blow out. Leaving them just a small open space will alleviate this concern. While the windows are boarded up from the outside someone should nail sheets or blankets up on the inside of the window frame. This

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