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2025

Risk Mitigation Insights and Tips for Homeowners

Protect your home and insurability when severe weather rolls in with these tips.

Summary

Severe weather events are on the rise, as well as the price tag that comes with the damages.
Create a plan for before, during, and after a disaster or severe weather event.
Risk mitigation measures can enhance a property's resiliency in the event of a weather disaster.

In 2024, nearly 30 severe weather or climate disasters caused losses exceeding $1 billion across the U.S. These billion-dollar disasters included severe storms, tropical cyclones, wildfires, floods, winter storms, and hail. Our experienced Private Client Services (PCS) team, along with our dedicated risk advisors, works directly with you, the homeowner, to help you properly prepare for these disasters, strengthen your home, and mitigate potential damage. The following information outlines high-level best practices for doing so and can serve as a starting point for more detailed conversations with one of our personal risk advisors.

Universal homeowner tips

Disaster planning

Have a specific plan for before, during, and after a disaster event. You may use this Preparing for Disaster template to create a plan.

Before an event, prepare by keeping a video and photo inventory of your possessions. Store these documents in a location separate from your property, such as in the cloud or a safe deposit box. Similarly, keep important insurance documents and personal items in a fire-safe or remote location. There are companies such as Pinventory that take the burden out of creating inventories for individuals, families, and small businesses.
During an event, your plan should prioritize personal safety, first and foremost. If you are asked to evacuate, do so immediately following routes outlined by emergency personnel. If time allows, you may be able to take additional steps, like shutting off utilities, making plans for collections or artwork, arranging accommodations for yourself and pets, and other steps outlined by the American Red Cross and FEMA.
After an event, when everyone is confirmed safe, reach out to your client advisor, who will help you understand the coverages available under your insurance policy. Your client advisor will help you determine the best next steps. Our team of dedicated professionals is here to support you through the entire insurance process so you can focus on what matters most. Continue to check and follow local safety recommendations and keep track of additional expenses related to the event.
Always stay informed: Download a trusted weather app on your phone to get faster push notifications during severe weather events that could impact you or your property. If your area experiences wildfires or is in a drought, download the Watch Duty app as well.

Roof inspections

Have your roof inspected at least once a year by a licensed roofer. Much like a doctor’s check-up, a roof inspection helps identify issues before they become significant risks. Annual inspections will also benefit your insurance company, as carriers are increasingly monitoring homes for potential roof hazards. It’s important to establish a routine with a reputable roofing contractor. Inspectors should look for the following, based on your roofing type:

Flat roofs: Check for ponding water, clogged drains or scuppers, or tears in the roofing material. Keeping trees trimmed away from the roofline will help reduce debris on the roof, which decreases the chances of clogged drains and scuppers.
Slate, clay, and concrete tile: Look for missing or broken tiles that need replacing—especially after high wind events. Keeping trees trimmed away from the roofline will help reduce the chances of broken tiles during high winds.
Cold climates: Check that gutters are clear, heat tape is installed to prevent ice damming, and everything is functioning appropriately.

First and foremost, personal safety is paramount—property protection should always be prioritized before an event. In some cases, such as hurricanes, there is enough time to evacuate your valuable items, and certain companies offer this service. It may be better to keep your valuables in the home, depending on how your home is built and your insurance coverage for valuable items. If you haven't done so recently, please have our trusted risk advisors conduct a comprehensive review of your personal insurance, or schedule one with your insurance advisor

Insurance considerations

Prompt payment history: Make all premium payments on time to avoid a lapse in or complete loss of coverage. Verify that both your broker and insurer have your current billing address and contact information on file and are made aware if you’re temporarily living at a second property or vacation home.
Pre-claim consultation: Third-party liability claims should always be reported immediately to your broker or insurer. Before submitting a property or auto damage claim, consult with your insurance advisor to understand and consider the potential impact on your future insurability.
Occupancy changes: Speak to your insurance advisor before converting your primary home into a secondary residence or rental property. Changes in occupancy may increase your risk profile, which could trigger coverage restrictions, mid-term cancellation or nonrenewal. If your primary or secondary home becomes vacant and the insurance carrier is not notified, a separate vacant home deductible may apply in addition to any existing deductibles.
Purchasing, building, or renovating a home: Consult your insurance advisor before purchasing, building or renovating a home to ensure you are adequately protected against the unique risks in your area. Some policies may have requirements or expectations from the carriers to make changes or upgrades to the home or surrounding property once it is in your possession, so you should be aware of these details prior to purchase. This may help you in negotiations if the required updates are extensive. For renovations or new construction, strategize on how to make the home more resilient to the elements and discuss how those updates could change the risk profile of a property, potentially triggering a mid-term cancellation or nonrenewal. There are typically underwriting requirements for renovations, and you should consult your insurance advisor before beginning any work.

If you’re unsure how to start, check out the guidance from the IBHS FORTIFIED Homes program or contact your insurance broker. In a challenging and expensive insurance market, carriers may reserve their capacity for homes built to withstand the elements. Our Risk Advisory team is dedicated to helping you every step of the way in building more resilient homes.

Tips by severe weather or climate event

Convective storms (thunderstorms, hail, derechos, and tornadoes)

Know where to go if the storm escalates: Keep an eye on weather changes and listen for sirens. Severe thunderstorms often bring the possibility of tornadoes. You should have a clear, safe interior room, like a closet, with no exterior doors or windows (ideally no interior windows either), or a basement/storm shelter to stay as safe as possible in case of a tornado.
Upgrade your home to be storm-ready: Before a storm event, consider upgrading to a FORTIFIED Gold home through the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). Install a wind-rated garage door to prepare for a tornado, derecho, or other wind event.
Prepare for power surges and outages: During extreme storms, turn off and unplug high-end electronic devices. It’s good to have a fully charged portable power bank for electronic devices, especially if that is how you’re staying updated on the storm. You can take a layered approach to protect against power surges, starting with a whole-house surge protector at each electrical main panel, as well as surge protectors at each outlet where important devices are plugged in. If possible, install a backup generator, paired with a dedicated fuel source.
Install lightning rods: Ask your certified electrician to confirm that your home is properly grounded before installing lightning rods. Find a certified installer at lightning.org and check for proper grounding every three to five years.
New or replacement roof: Considering replacing your roof? Reach out to your insurance advisor to discuss specific insurance requirements and roofing in your state. Also, address any additional considerations, such as recent severe weather events or the threat of hail. If the roof is wood shake or asphalt shingle, consider an alternative to make your home more resilient and help your long-term insurability. Look into a Class 4 product that also has a high-wind rating.
Bring in or secure outdoor items: Bring in lighter patio furniture and outdoor toys, and secure larger items like trampolines. Moveable gas and charcoal grills or smokers should be secured or stored in the garage for safety if winds pick up during a storm.
Park vehicles in your garages or under carports: Hail is common in severe thunderstorms, and vehicles are highly susceptible to storm damage, even with smaller-sized hail. Stay weather aware. If you are out and away from your home, try to find safe, covered parking during inclement weather whenever possible.
Routine home maintenance: Tree trimming should be performed on your property year-round. Branches should be cut back five to ten feet to prevent them from breaking and hitting your home or damaging the roof in high winds. Keep gutters clear of debris so water can flow properly from the rooftop to the gutters and downspouts, directing it away from your home.

Earthquakes

Seismic shutoff valve: Install a seismic shutoff valve (also known as an Earthquake shutoff valve) on your home’s gas line. In the event of an earthquake, the valve will stop gas from entering your home, potentially preventing fire.
Strap hot water heaters: It’s critical to strap your hot water heater in earthquake zones to prevent it from tipping and causing water damage to your home.
Foundation bolting: If your home was built before 1950, you may need to retrofit it for foundation bolting.
Shear wall: A shear wall is required by the California building code for newer homes, similarly other states require shear walls. If your property is an older home, insurance carriers may ask for proof of the shear wall.
Secure heavy and valuable items: Secure heavy items to the walls when possible. Valuable artwork, such as sculptures, should also be secured to prevent damage. Additionally, loose items around your valuable artwork should be secured, so they don’t fly off the walls and damage the piece.

It’s always recommended to work with a licensed engineer who specializes in earthquakes or earth movement, as this can be beneficial when reviewing your home.

Storm surges and flooding

Plan: It’s always best to have a plan in place before severe weather events, as floods and storm surges can occur very quickly. A proper plan before this happens can protect your property from water damage or loss.
Consider lifting your home: If you’re in a flood-prone area, elevating your home is the best long-term solution to protect it. By raising your home above the floodplain, or as directed by local zoning authorities and using proper techniques with a certified contractor, you can potentially prevent most, if not all, future flood damage.
Use passive floodproofing: Consider replacing doors and windows with floodproof products and using automated passive floodproofing devices that deploy and lift upwards to protect an area when activated by floodwaters.
Use active floodproofing: Sandbags are no longer the only option for flood protection. New products on the market, such as AquaFence, can keep floodwaters at bay and protect valuable structures.
Adding a Secondary Water Resistance Barrier (SWR): An SWR is a low-cost option that significantly improves your roof’s performance during a storm. This retrofit may also lead to premium savings with some carriers.

For more details and other flood mitigation strategies, read our Rising Waters blog.

Hurricanes and cyclones

Windows and doors: If you don't have impact-rated windows and doors on your home, consider installing impact-rated shutters or a lightweight fabric product like Armor Screen to protect your home before an approaching hurricane.
- When a product has the MDCA label stamped on it, it means it is “Miami-Dade County Approved" and has been tested to the highest impact-rated standards in the industry
- Most homes built after 2002 have impact-rated glass, but homes built before then can achieve this protection with hurricane shutters or products like Armor Screens.
Generator: Having a backup generator is beneficial in the event of a storm. Generators should be elevated above Base Flood Elevation to ensure they survive storm surges. They should also be inspected annually by a licensed contractor. A critical component is ensuring you have enough fuel before a hurricane occurs, as fuel is often difficult to source after a hurricane has passed through an area.
Resilient roofs (asphalt shingles, clay, concrete tiles, etc.): If your roof is over 15 years old, it may be more challenging to find insurance coverage. As a roof ages, insurance carriers recognize that the likelihood of a claim increases. Installing a new roof with a higher wind-rated product may improve your insurability.
- Consider upgrading your roof to a wind-rated material: Avoid using asphalt shingles or wood shingles/shakes. Instead, install a more wind-resistant roofing product that can withstand higher wind speeds. The closer you live to the coastline, the higher the wind speed your roof should be rated to. Within five miles of the coast, consider a roofing product that can sustain winds of 120 mph or greater. Additionally, strap your roof-to-wall connections for coastal areas or areas subject to high winds.
- Roof-to-wall attachments: At a minimum, clips are good, but single straps are better, and double straps are the best option. If you want to improve your roof-to-wall attachments, it’s beneficial to include a licensed structural engineer to review your plans.
Roof deck attachments: Confirm that all roof deck attachments use 8-penny ring-shank nails at 6-inches apart or put another way 8d 6" x 6." The 8d refers to the length of the nail, and 6" x 6" indicates a nailing pattern that is close together, providing extra holding power in the event of high-winds.
Wind-rated garage doors: In coastal areas, wind-rated garage doors are the bare minimum. Your garage doors should have a label indicating the testing standard. Confirm that one of these standards is present:
- ASTM E330
- ANSI/DASMA 108
- Florida Building Code TAS 202

A more resilient option for your garage door is an impact-rated garage door. While they may be slightly more expensive, they are built to withstand the impact of debris and strong wind load pressure.

Wildfires

Review your home: Start at the top (roof) of your home and work your way down to the foundation, evaluating the condition of your home and its surrounding areas.
Roofs: A licensed contractor should inspect your roof at least once a year if you have a slate, clay tile, concrete tile, or flat roof to ensure that it is in good condition and no minor repairs are needed. Roofs and gutters should also be checked every few weeks to ensure they are free from leaves and other debris. To minimize your risk with roofs:
- Routinely manage and keep trees five to ten feet away from your home’s roofline.
- Install a noncombustible or Class A-rated roof. Avoid wood shake roofs—over time the wood dries out, warps, and cracks, making it an easy area for embers to compromise the home. Flat roofs collect debris such as pine needles and leaves that, in a wildfire, would easily catch fire. Routine maintenance is key with flat roofs.
Gutter guards: If your home has gutters, gutter guards should be used to prevent debris from building up. This is especially critical in wildfire areas, as dead leaves and pine needles are where embers would land and could set the home ablaze.
Siding/exterior: When building or renovating your home in a Wildfire and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) area, consider using “CAL Fire Approved” products or Class A-rated siding, such as Hardie siding.
Windows: Upgrade to double-pane windows, which can help protect your property in a wildfire. It’s not uncommon for the heat from a wildfire to crack and compromise the glass on a window, and having a second layer of glass can help reduce the chances that the whole window will be breached by the fire, especially if the home itself is affected or lost.
Vents: Often overlooked, exterior vents are an extremely vulnerable spot on your home that, in a wildfire, could be the difference in your home surviving. Embers can enter the vents of your home into an attic, mechanical space or crawlspace, catch something in the area on fire, and then compromise your home. Replace the vents in your attic, foundation, and on the sides of your home with ember-resistant vents, as these can keep your home from burning. Most (90%) of structure fires are ember related.
Attached structures (decks, patios): Keep leaves, debris, and other flammable materials clear from under the deck. Consider using stone or bare earth beneath the deck and blocking the sides with wildfire mesh to maintain a clear space. If you’re building a new deck, you should consider using a noncombustible material or a more durable wood such as ipe wood. If your home has patio furniture or grass doormats, remember that these items are highly flammable. If a wildfire is in your area, move these items indoors or away from your home.

Wind

Wind inspection: Regardless of when your home was built, it is best practice to ask for a wind mitigation inspection report if the home is in an area prone to extreme weather. Insurers are looking to confirm these standard requirements:

Wind-rated doors, windows, and garage doors: Impact-rated doors, windows, and garage doors are built to sustain impacts from debris at high speeds and are not compromised. They are the minimum standard for insurance carriers in hurricane-prone areas.
- MDCA-approved windows and exterior doors: Most homes built after 2002 have impact-rated glass, but homes built before 2002 can achieve this protection by using hurricane shutters or products like Armor Screens.
- Consider strapping your roof, using a wind-resistant roof covering, and upgrading to a garage door rated for 150 mph or more, as well as impact-rated windows.

Roofs: Wind-rated products can last longer than traditional options like asphalt shingles. If you are considering replacing your roof, reach out to our risk advisory team to discuss further. You should consider:

Hiring a licensed engineer: There is no better time to retrofit your roof-to-wall attachments (strapping) than during a roof replacement.
Applying spray foam insulation: Before applying spray foam insulation in your attic, check the wind mitigation report. Have the licensed inspector take a series of time-stamped photos documenting the strapping or clips on your roof to wall connections. This provides visual proof of all roof-to-wall connections for the next wind mitigation report. These reports are only valid for a few years, and insurance carriers will ask for an updated report if it is expired. If you are selling your home, you should also share this information with the buyer to alleviate headaches at the time of purchase.

Winter storms

Electrical supply: Consider adding a backup generator. If you already have one, inspect it annually and run it weekly to ensure it’s in good working order for storm season. Purchase additional fuel before a storm to ensure the generator can continue running during a storm event, as fuel shortages are common post-storm. Make sure any generator you buy can power essential systems like HVAC to keep the home at a constant temperature (cold climate—keep the heat moving; warm climate—keep the home cool and dry). It should also be able to back up the alarm system, critical infrastructure, entry gate, refrigerator, and kitchen area, along with enough lighting and outlets in spaces you would normally use.
Low-temperature monitoring: If you live in an area where temperatures regularly fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (such as the Northeast, northern Midwest, Rocky Mountain region, Canada), it is critical to have your alarm company add monitored low-temperature sensors to your home. If the temperature inside the home drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (which may vary in some regions) your alarm system will alert you. This may indicate that the heating system has failed or that there is something else wrong that may cause the pipes to freeze if action is not taken to correct it.
Clear gutters: Keep your gutters clear. You may use heat tape to prevent ice damming and ensure that everything is functioning properly.

Implementing these important safeguards will not only give you peace of mind but also help protect the insurability of your home and may keep your rates more reasonably priced. Take the first step today by requesting your personal risk management review. We take the time to get to know you and the specific risks you face. This analysis allows us to recommend insurance solutions, ensuring you’re adequately protected and not overpaying or underinsured.

Schedule an insurance review with an experienced Personal Risk Advisor to ensure your home is as safe and secure as possible from severe weather.

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