With the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season officially starting on June 1st, this week marks Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 4th-10th), a statewide and national initiative to raise awareness and encourage residents to get ready before a storm strikes. At Insurance Litigation Group (ILG), we’ve seen firsthand the destruction storms can leave behind and how ill-prepared many homeowners and business owners are when the winds die down and the complex insurance process begins.
Why You Need to Prepare Now
According to Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie, “Last year’s active hurricane season demonstrated that hurricanes bring far more hazards than just wind and rain. From tornadoes to flooding, don’t wait to update your disaster plans — preparedness today means resiliency tomorrow.”
With sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic already pushing past 80°F, conditions are ripe for a busy hurricane season. As per Colorado State University’s forecast for 2025:
- 17 named storms (vs. 14.4 average)
- 9 hurricanes (vs. 7.2 average)
- 4 major hurricanes (vs. 3.2 average)
These numbers are warnings, and every Floridian should take them seriously.
ILG’s Top Tips for Hurricane Prep
Whether you’re a homeowner or business owner, here’s what the team at ILG recommends during Hurricane Preparedness Week:
- Review Your Insurance Policy: Make sure you understand what’s covered (and what isn’t), your hurricane deductible, and whether your policy includes windstorm or flood coverage. If you’re unsure or need help reviewing your policy, ILG can help you prepare now, not just respond after the fact.
- Assemble or Update Your Emergency Kit: You should have enough food, water, and medication to last at least 7 days. Don’t forget personal documents, pet supplies, and batteries for radios and flashlights.
- Know Your Zone, Know Your Home: Are you in an evacuation zone? Do you live in a flood-prone area? Can your structure withstand hurricane-force winds? These answers will help guide your evacuation plan and how you interpret alerts from local officials.
- Prep Your Vehicle or EV: Keep gas tanks at least half full and EV batteries between 50%–80% to avoid shortages or long lines before a storm hits.
- Stay Informed: Have multiple ways to receive weather alerts, including a battery-powered weather radio, especially in the event of cell tower outages or power failures.
- Document Your Property: Take photos and videos of your home and belongings now, before damage occurs. This can make the insurance process much easier and more effective later.
ILG is Here When the Storm Passes
Even the best preparation can’t always prevent damage, but it can make the recovery process smoother. If your property is damaged during a hurricane, our team of experienced property insurance attorneys and public adjusters are ready to help with your hurricane damage insurance claim.
We will review your policy for coverage details, file or re-open denied or underpaid insurance claims, represent you in disputes with your insurance company, and guide you through navigating multiple claims if more than one storm hits your area. Hurricane damage is more than just debris, it’s structural issues, hidden water damage, mold, and costly business interruptions. You should not have to face your insurance company alone, ILG will give you peace of mind.
Use Hurricane Preparedness Week as your signal to take action. If you need help understanding your insurance policy, want guidance on how to prepare, or find yourself dealing with storm damage this season, ILG is here for you every step of the way.
