What Can Property Managers Do To Prepare For a Hurricane?

6/25/2022 (Permalink)

What Can Property Managers Do in the Event of a Hurricane?

Hurricanes can cause severe damage wherever they strike. Property managers may be able to take a few measures to limit the amount of hurricane damage sustained by a residential building in Dublin, CA. Here are three measures building owners or managers should take before a hurricane is expected to strike.

1. Install Storm Shutters or Board Up Windows

Owners of properties in areas prone to hurricanes may want to install storm shutters. There are several styles of shutters that make it possible to find the right hurricane preparedness equipment for any type of building. These solutions can range in cost from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the number of windows that require protection. Boarding up windows can also be an effective short-term solution.

2. Check Insurance Coverage

If a property is located in an area prone to hurricanes, the owner or property manager should make sure that the current level and types of insurance coverage are sufficient. Most standard residential and commercial property insurance policies do not cover hurricane damage. It may be necessary to add a policy to cover damage caused by these severe weather events. Some policies also only cover damage resulting from certain categories of hurricanes. Separate flood insurance coverage may also be necessary.

3. Take an Inventory

A property manager should have an up-to-date inventory of all of the contents and equipment in the common areas of a structure. Managers may also want to encourage tenants to take out rental insurance policies and make sure that these policies cover contents damaged by hurricanes. Managers should document damage after a hurricane and prepare to make an insurance claim.

These measures can limit damage and make it easier to file an insurance claim for hurricane damage. If a building sustains major damage, property management should arrange for professional mitigation and restoration services as quickly as possible.