Preparations for the Upcoming 2023 Hurricane Season

Predictions

Hurricane season is quickly approaching. As Floridians, we are well acquainted with the immense power and destruction these storms can bring. The upcoming Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30, 2023.

Weather agencies each year release their annual predictions with estimates of the number of named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes expected for the season. These predictions serve as a valuable starting point for policyholders to assess their preparedness levels and make the needed adjustments.

The Weather Channel and Colorado State University have issued their outlooks for this season, but this 2023 season has more uncertainty than usual.1 This is due to the fact that an El Niño is increasingly likely, which usually tends to bring down the number of storms.2 On the other hand, the Atlantic Ocean water is very warm, which could increase that number.3

The first outlook, which was released on April 13, 2023, lists predictions for:

13 named storms
55 named storm days
6 hurricanes
25 hurricane days
2 major hurricanes
5 major hurricane days4

Time to Review Your Policy

Due to the reality of the damage and destruction these storms bring with them, it is of the utmost importance that while making other preparations for hurricane season, policyholders should also review their policies and make sure they have adequate coverage.

Key coverages to check for and review include: Dwelling coverage, Contents coverage, and Additional Living Expense Coverage. It is also important to remember that standard homeowners’ insurance policies usually do not cover flood damage, which is why it is recommended to obtain supplemental flood insurance to ensure full coverage. Another element for policyholders to check is their deductibles; policyholders should make sure they understand their policy’s deductibles and are aware of any specific hurricane deductibles that could apply.

We have created several tools specifically for assisting policyholders in preparing for hurricane season. For residential policyholders, we have a Hurricane Checklist5 with tips on safeguarding your home and reviewing your insurance policy. We also have a Condominium Hurricane Preparedness Guide6 for multi-family properties.

1 Jonathan Erdman, 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook: A Developing El Niño Vs. Warm Atlantic Ocean, https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/2023-04-11-hurricane-season-outlook-atlantic (April 13, 2023).

2 Id.

3 Id.

4 Seasonal Hurricane Forecasting, Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity Forecast for 2023 Hurricane Activity, COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY, https://tropical.colostate.edu/forecasting.html

5 https://page.merlinlawgroup.com/hubfs/Hurricane%20Assets/Weathering%20The%20Storm%20-%20A%20Policyholders%20Guide%20to%20Hurricane%20Insurance%20Claims.pdf

6 https://page.merlinlawgroup.com/hubfs/Condo_Hurricane_Preparedness_Merlin.pdf