Your Yard’s Health. The more the leaves pile up and begin to break down, the more difficult they’ll be to clear away. If it snows before you’ve had a chance to rid your yard of them, they’re likely to stay on your lawn all winter, where they’ll block sunlight and encourage the growth of mold and fungus on your lawn.After you’ve cleaned up the majority of the leaves, apply fertilizer to your lawn to help prevent winter damage and so that it revives quickly next spring.In addition to cleaning up your yard, don’t forget to harvest and cook your fall veggiesand plant your spring bulbs. You can also start bringing in your potted plants or flowers. If your annuals have already died, dispose of them and empty, clean and dry the pots before you put them away for use next spring.

Finally, drain your garden hoses and disconnect them from the outdoor spigots. Store them in a dry place to prevent freezing or cracking. Be sure to winterize your outdoor faucets and irrigation systems. You can even call in an expert to help you with this fall home prep.

5. Lighting

As the weather cools down, the days grow shorter and it gets dark earlier. If you don’t have outdoor lighting installed, consider making it a priority. After all, you don’t want to risk tripping when you take the dog out. Make sure to purchase products that are meant for outdoor use. Energy-efficient bulbs are a good option because they help you save money.

If you already have outdoor lighting installed, be sure to check that everything’s in working order.

6. Yard Equipment

To store your lawn mower until next spring, empty the fuel tank or add a fuel stabilizer to a full tank of fuel, change the oil and have the blades cleaned and sharpened. It’s also a good idea to remove the battery and stash it in a cool, dry place.

Service your snow blower so that it’s ready at a moment’s notice for unexpected winter weather. And if you have an emergency generator, test it out to make sure it’s in good working order. You don’t want to find out that your generator is out of order when you’re stuck in the middle of a storm with no electricity or heat.

7. Garage and Shed

Forget spring cleaning. Now is the perfect time to tidy up your garage or shed. Start by disposing of any liquids that might freeze, as well as unneeded flammable or hazardous materials.Clean, organize and put away your tools and equipment. Make room for your car in your garage so that you can safely pull it in during bad weather.

8. Summer Vehicles

Summer cars, ATVs, boats, golf carts and RVs should be serviced and stored for the winter. Change the oil, top off the gas tank (and add a fuel stabilizer) and cover the gaps through which rodents might be able to enter. And don’t forget to consider your vehicle insurance needs. If your car, for example, will be garaged all winter, you might be able to drop collision coverage, but it’s a good idea to maintain your comprehensive coverage should theft, fire or another type of non-collision damage occur.

9. Windows and Doors

Seal any gaps and cracks around your windows and doors with caulk, weather stripping or window insulator. Also seal any entry points for cable lines or phone lines — these are all exit points for your home’s warmth. And if you have reason to suspect severe winter weather may be headed your way, swap out your screens for storm windows and doors if you have them.

10. Safety Checks

Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, test your fire extinguishers and review your emergency escape plans. If you don’t have any documented plans, now would be a good time to put them together and discuss them with your family.

11. Furnace

It’s a great idea to hire a professional to service your furnace. They can change the filter, make sure the moving parts are lubricated, inspect the burners and electrical connections, check for leaks, test safety features and ensure proper ventilation. You might be able to tackle some of these things yourself, but you’d risk doing them wrong, damaging your furnace and endangering your safety. For those reasons, it’s best to let a specialist handle this.

12. Fireplace

As the temperature drops, it’s crucial to follow fireplace safety tips. Hire a professional to check your fireplace and chimney and to remove any build-up. This person can also repair or replace the chimney cap if it is damaged or missing to prevent animals and debris from entering.

If yours is a wood-burning fireplace, stock up on firewood but store it at least 30 feet away from your home or any other structures. Seasoned hardwoods, such as oak, are best for firewood. And be sure to use a mesh metal screen or glass fireplace doors to prevent stray embers from escaping while your fireplace is in use.

13. Thermostat

If you haven’t already upgraded to a programmable thermostat, you should at least consider it. You can program it to lower the temperature while you’re asleep and when you’re not home, reducing your energy consumption and saving you money. And if you go away for the weekend, but forget to adjust the temperature before you leave, a lot of newer models—the so-called smart thermostats—will let you do so from your smartphone, tablet or computer.

14. Pantry

With the holidays just a few months away, now is a great time to clean out your pantry. Remove the boxes and cans so that you can vacuum up any loose crumbs to avoid providing a meal to critters that might get into your home looking for a good meal and a warm bed. Obviously, you’ll want to dispose of anything that’s expired. If you have unopened, unexpired items that you probably won’t get to in the next few months (such as ice tea or lemonade mix), consider donating them to your local food pantry.

Fall, especially in the Northeast, is breathtaking. And with some fall home prep you can get your house cold-weather ready while you enjoy the fleeting moments that make fall unique. In the process, not only will you be prepping your home for the coming winter, but you’ll also be mentally preparing yourself for the transition from heatwave to snowstorm.

Disclaimer:  If you have questions or concerns regarding your policy, contact a Bolder Insurance Representative.

Note: This guest post is by Frederick “Beau” Kron, an Independent Adjuster, Trainer, Appraiser & Umpire. He has written this post as an Independent Adjuster and not on behalf of the IAUA. Opinions expressed are solely his own and are not meant to express the views or opinions of the IAUA.

This year, a record-tying three hurricanes—Debby, Helene, and Milton—have made landfall in Florida. According to meteorologist Phil Klotzbach, this has only happened five other times in over 150 years, most recently in 2005. Previous occurrences were in 2004, 1964, 1886, and 1871. No season on record has seen more than three hurricanes make landfall in Florida.

For those of us in the industry back in 2004, you might remember grouping Hurricane Ivan with “The 4 of ’04.” Even though it impacted Florida, Ivan technically made landfall in Alabama, just west of the Alabama-Florida border.

In the wake of Hurricane Milton’s recent impact on Florida, a crucial question has emerged for property owners: When a tornado occurs during a hurricane but beyond the boundaries of hurricane-force winds, which insurance deductible applies?

The Milton Effect: A Tornado Outbreak

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Storm Prediction Center reported 38 preliminary eyewitness accounts of tornadoes during Hurricane Milton – a staggering number considering Florida’s average of 50 tornadoes in an entire year.

This deductible issue is particularly relevant for Palm Beach Gardens, an area that, despite being well outside of the hurricane-force wind path, experienced significant tornado damage — including an industrial dumpster landing on a residential roof.

The questions swirling around which deductible should be applied highlight the importance of understanding your policy’s definitions.

Hurricane Deductible Confusion

Most homeowners policies include a hurricane deductible, typically higher than the standard wind or All Other Peril deductible. But when does this hurricane deductible come into play, especially in cases of tornado damage far away from the hurricane-force winds?

Let’s examine a sample AAA HO3 policy (FL 1000 1007) to shed light on this issue. This policy has a Hurricane Deductible:

SECTION 1 – HOMEOWNERS COVERAGES

PART I – PROPERTY COVERAGES

***

CONDITIONS – PART I

***

3. Hurricane Deductible

***

The hurricane deductible stated on the declarations page applies for loss or damage to covered property caused by all hurricane windstorms. A hurricane percentage deductible is determined by applying the percentage stated on the declarations page for hurricane to the COVERAGE A – DWELLING limit of liability at the time of the loss, but shall not be less than $500.

Deciphering Policy Definitions

The key to understanding whether this deductible applies is in the policy DEFINITIONS section, where terms in bold within the policy are explicitly defined. In this AAA policy, we find:

DEFINITIONS

***

Hurricane – means a storm system that has been declared to be a hurricane by the National Hurricane Center of the National Weather Service. The duration of the hurricane includes the time period, in Florida:

a. beginning at the time a hurricane watch or hurricane warning is issued for any part of Florida by the National Hurricane Center of the National Weather Service;

b. continuing for the time period during which the hurricane conditions exist anywhere in Florida; and

c. ending 72 hours following the termination of the last hurricane watch or hurricane warning issued for any part of Florida by the National Hurricane Center of the National Weather Service.

***

Hurricane windstorm – means wind, wind gusts, hail, rain, tornadoes, or cyclones caused by or resulting from a hurricane which results in direct physical loss or damage to property.

*emphasis added

The Conclusion

Based on the definitions in this particular policy, it is specifically stated that tornadoes occurring during a hurricane are considered part of the “hurricane windstorm.” This means that even if a tornado causes damage in an area with otherwise mild winds during the hurricane, the hurricane deductible would still apply. Your policy might be different.

Almost ten years ago, in Storm-Induced Tornado Damage, the Merlin Law Blog discussed a similar case where the lower courts deemed the State Farm policy language to be ambiguous. Even though the appeals court ultimately sided with the insurance company, the language in many policies has since been expanded for clarification, as in this AAA policy.

Key Takeaways for Property Owners

1. Review Your Policy: Carefully read your insurance policy, paying close attention to definitions and deductible clauses.
2. Understand the Definitions: Pay attention to how your policy defines terms like “hurricane,” “hurricane deductible,” “hurricane loss,” and “hurricane windstorm.” These definitions can significantly impact which deductible applies.
3. Document Damages: In the event of a loss, thoroughly document all damages, regardless of whether they seem hurricane or tornado-related. Damages caused by tornadoes are not always obvious and can be subtle but significant.

As we navigate the complexities of severe weather events, understanding your insurance policy becomes increasingly crucial. Stay informed with resources like Twelve Tips for Making a Claim for Tornado Damage to Your Property on Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy, but don’t hesitate to seek clarification on your coverage from a professional.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Always consult with a licensed insurance professional or attorney for guidance on your specific situation.