Mid-Summer Insurance Checkup: 3 Smart Ways to Protect Your Home Before Storm Season Hits

As we head into the heart of summer, now is the perfect time for a quick insurance checkup—especially for homeowners. July and August bring more than sunshine and backyard barbecues. They also bring an increased risk of severe storms, wind and hail damage, and water-related claims.

Here are three key steps you can take this week to make sure your home is properly protected before peak storm season begins.

1. Understand Your Wind and Hail Deductible

Many homeowners assume they have a single flat deductible across their policy, but in recent years, insurers have introduced separate deductibles for wind or hail damage—especially in storm-prone areas.

These deductibles are often percentage-based, which means your out-of-pocket costs could be significantly higher than expected if you need to file a claim.

Example:

If your home is insured for $400,000 and your wind/hail deductible is 2%, you’d be responsible for $8,000 before your policy pays for storm damage.

This can come as a surprise during an already stressful situation. A quick review of your policy can clarify your actual exposure before the next storm hits.

Learn more here:

NAIC: Wind and Hail Deductibles

2. Add Water Backup Coverage (If You Haven’t Already)

Standard homeowners insurance usually does not cover water that enters your home through a backed-up sewer, sump pump, or floor drain. This type of water damage is common during summer storms and can be expensive to repair—especially if your basement is finished or used for storage.

Water backup coverage is one of the most affordable endorsements you can add to a home policy, and it can cover both cleanup and property replacement.

If your home has:

• A finished basement
• Electronics, furniture, or storage below ground level
• A history of drainage or sump issues

...then this coverage is well worth considering.

More details here:

Insurance Information Institute: Sewer Backup Coverage

3. Create a Simple Home Inventory

In the event of a major loss, having a home inventory makes the claims process faster and more accurate. It can also help you confirm whether your current policy limits are adequate.

A full inventory doesn’t have to be complicated. One of the easiest methods is to walk through your home and record a video with your phone while narrating what’s in each room. Mention valuable items, serial numbers, brands, or approximate purchase dates when possible.

Save your video in a secure location, such as cloud storage or by emailing it to yourself.

For a checklist and more tips, visit:

Insurance Information Institute: How to Create a Home Inventory

Other Summer Insurance Considerations

If you're already reviewing your home insurance, it’s a good idea to also check the following:

• Roof coverage: Some carriers limit or reduce roof replacement cost coverage for older roofs
• Detached structures: Garages, sheds, fences, and pool houses may have separate coverage limits
• Personal liability: Summer gatherings increase the chance of accidents—consider higher limits or an umbrella policy

Is Your Policy Storm-Ready? Let’s Make Sure.

Storms don’t give warnings—but a coverage review only takes a few minutes.

If you’re not sure where your current policy stands or want to explore better options, we’re here to help.

Ready for a Quick Policy Review?

We know insurance can be complicated—but it doesn’t have to be. If you're unsure whether your policy is storm-season ready, or if you'd like to add coverage like water backup or increase your liability limits, we’re here to help.

George P​age

Page Insurance, Ltd

(203) 453-5258​

www.pageins.com

​​To schedule a call, please use my online calendar (this is the easiest to book an appointment): 

 Click HERE to choose a time that works for you.