Wednesday, June 1 marks the beginning of hurricane season and the start of people living in hurricane prone cities to ask the powerful storms to move to the same place...anywhere but where they live.
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) calls for a 65% chance of an above normal season, a 25% chance of a near-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.
For this Atlantic Hurricane Season, the NOAA predicts 12-18 named storms, 6-10 hurricanes, and 3-6 major hurricanes.
This leaning toward an above average season is the reason the South Carolina Insurance News Service says now is the time homeowners should be double checking their insurance policies.
"It only takes one hurricane hitting our state to cause catastrophic damage and heartache," said Russ Dubisky, executive director of the South Carolina Insurance News Service. "It is a good routine for people to review their insurance policies with their company or agent before the start of hurricane season to verify they have the necessary coverage."
The SC Insurance News Service suggests coastal residents may need several separate insurance policies to protect their homes and property from disasters. Homeowners near the coast can purchase a basic homeowner's insurance policy, a wind and hail policy, flood insurance, earthquake insurance and excess coverage such as a personal articles policy to recover damaged items in one's home.
Though the SC coastline is more prone hurricane damage, SC Insurance News Service says no matter where you live in SC, your house is prone to flooding if a hurricane does hit our state.
With the vast amount of bays, inlets and waterways, the group says South Carolina's coastline is the perfect setup for water to surge much farther inland.
Homeowner's insurance policies can take as long as a month to go into effect once purchased. Once that month is up, you're covered. Some companies previously would not cover your home if a storm was named during the waiting the period. But that is no longer the case.
Those in the market to buy homeowner's insurance should purchase their policy as soon as they can to be protected if a hurricane does make landfall on the palmetto state.
The hurricane season last until November 30th.
