Key points:

Document your home and valuables before a storm to support any insurance claim.

Review property and motor policies early, including deductibles, exclusions and flood coverage.

Keep key documents in a waterproof, claims-ready folder and include your vehicle in the household plan.

AS Jamaica moves through another hurricane season, households are being urged to look beyond stocking food, securing windows and clearing yards by taking steps that could make insurance claims and recovery easier after a storm.

Advantage General Insurance Company said preparation should include documenting the condition of homes and vehicles, identifying vulnerable areas around properties, reviewing insurance coverage and securing important records before a hurricane is approaching.

Dave Morrison, chief executive officer of Advantage General, said early action can reduce disruption and financial pressure after a storm.

“Taking simple but deliberate steps before a system strikes — from maintaining your home to reviewing your insurance coverage — can make a significant difference for individuals and families when they need it most,” Morrison said.

One of the most useful measures, the insurer said, is creating a visual record of the home before any damage occurs.

Homeowners are encouraged to photograph or record each room, including furniture, appliances, electronics, fixtures and other valuables. Serial numbers, receipts and recent renovations should also be recorded where possible.

The exterior of the property should be documented as well, including the roof, windows, water tanks, gates, boundary walls, solar panels, outdoor equipment and vehicles.

The photographs and videos can provide evidence of the property’s condition before a hurricane and help support claims for damaged or lost items.

Homeowners should also inspect areas that may be vulnerable to heavy rain and strong winds.

Loose roofing material, ageing screws, cracked walls, clogged gutters, blocked drains, exposed electrical outlets, unstable retaining walls, and unsecured water tanks should be addressed before a hurricane warning is issued.

Windows, doors, storm shutters and other protective coverings should be checked to ensure they can be installed quickly. Tree branches that could fall on buildings or vehicles should be trimmed, drainage paths cleared and outdoor furniture secured.

Advantage General also recommended that policyholders review their insurance coverage before a storm appears on the radar.

The sum insured should reflect the current replacement value of the home and its contents, particularly where renovations have been completed or major appliances and valuables have been acquired.

Policyholders should understand their deductibles, exclusions, limits, flood provisions, contents coverage, temporary accommodation benefits, and the documentation required to support a claim.

People without property insurance should also explore available options early, rather than waiting until insurers, telephone lines and support services come under pressure.

Another recommended measure is the creation of a claims-ready recovery folder containing the documents a household may need after a hurricane.

The folder should include insurance policies and policy numbers, representatives’ contact details, receipts, valuations, mortgage or land documents, vehicle records, TRN and NIS information, medical prescriptions, bank details, birth certificates, passports, school records, and emergency contacts.

Physical copies should be stored in a waterproof container, while secure digital versions should be accessible from another device if the original is lost or damaged.

The home inventory photographs and videos should also be included.

“Having these records ready before there is damage can help remove some of the pressure from the early days of recovery and make conversations with insurers, contractors and service providers more organised,” said Kerriann Lawrence, claims manager at Advantage General.

Vehicles should also form part of the household hurricane plan.

Motorists are encouraged to fill their tanks early, park away from trees, utility poles and flood-prone areas and photograph their vehicles before the storm. Insurance, registration and driver’s licence information should remain accessible, while tyres and windscreen wipers should be checked.

Vehicle owners should review their motor policies to determine whether flood, windscreen, falling-object and other storm-related damage are covered and what records would be needed to support a claim.

Households that rely on a vehicle for work, school, medical appointments or caring for relatives should also make alternative transportation arrangements in case roads are blocked, fuel becomes scarce or the vehicle is damaged.

While preparation cannot prevent every loss, Advantage General said documenting property, understanding insurance coverage and securing critical records can help families begin the recovery process more quickly after a hurricane.