Is Your Coverage Storm-Ready?

Six questions. Two minutes. Find out if you have the gaps Mark did.

When did you last review your homeowners insurance policy?

• This year — Great start. Annual reviews help ensure your coverage keeps pace with rising rebuild costs.
• 1–3 years ago — It may be time for a check-in. Home values and rebuild costs have shifted significantly in recent years.
• More than 3 years ago — A lot can change. Outdated policies may not reflect today's replacement costs for your home.
• I'm not sure / Never — Now is the best time to start. Reviewing your policy before a storm is named gives you the most options.

Have you made improvements or renovations to your home since your last policy update?

• Yes, and I've updated my policy — Well done. Improvements that increase your home's value should always be reflected in your coverage.
• Yes, but I haven't updated my policy — This is a common gap. Renovations can significantly raise your home's rebuild cost — and your old policy may fall short.
• No major changes — Good. Still worth confirming that your dwelling coverage reflects current local rebuild costs.

Do you know how much personal property coverage your policy includes?

• Yes — I have a home inventory or documentation — Excellent. Documenting belongings before a storm is one of the smartest moves a homeowner can make.
• I have a general idea, but no documentation — Consider making a room-by-room video or photo record. It can make claims significantly easier.
• I don't know the amount — This is worth checking right away. Personal belongings — furniture, electronics, clothing — add up fast.

If your home became uninhabitable after a storm, do you have coverage for temporary housing?

• Yes, I have Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage — Smart. ALE coverage can cover hotel stays, meals, and other costs while your home is being repaired.
• I think so, but I'm not certain — Worth confirming with your agent. If a major storm hits, hotel rooms fill fast and costs rise quickly.
• No, or I don't have this coverage — This is a coverage gap worth addressing now. Displacement after a storm can last weeks or months.

Do you have a separate flood insurance policy?

• Yes — Good. Standard homeowners policies typically do not cover flood damage — a separate policy fills that gap.
• No — my homeowners policy covers everything — This is one of the most common misconceptions. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage. It's worth asking your agent about options.
• No, and I know I should look into it — Now is a great time to explore options. Flood insurance policies often have a waiting period before they take effect.

Do you have a direct line to your insurance agent — someone you can call right now?

• Yes, I know exactly who to call — That relationship matters. Your agent can help you review coverages quickly before a storm develops.
• I'd have to look it up — Save that number now — before you need it in a rush.
• I handle everything through an app or online only — Digital tools are convenient, but a local agent can spot coverage gaps that an online portal may not surface.
• No — I'm not sure who my agent is — This is a great reason to connect with a local Allstate agent today, while there's still time to prepare.

Hurricane season is not the time to discover gaps in your coverage. The best time to prepare is always before the clouds gather.Allstate Insurance — Hurricane Season 2026

Mark's story isn't unusual. When Hurricane Bianca began forming in the Atlantic, hardware stores emptied overnight. Gas lines stretched for blocks. And insurance agencies were flooded with last-minute calls from homeowners suddenly asking the questions they should have asked months earlier.

Did my policy cover today's replacement cost? Are my renovations included? What about temporary living expenses if we have to leave? For many, the answers weren't clear — and by then, options were limited. Once a storm is named or approaching, insurance changes may no longer be available.

Two Neighbors. One Storm. Very Different Outcomes.

Mark — Unprepared

• Last-minute Policy Review Called during storm warnings
• Unknown Renovation Coverage Improvements not documented
• Unclear Temporary Housing Didn't know ALE coverage status
• Scrambled for answers as storm approached
• Faced the storm with uncertainty

Sarah — Prepared

• Early Season Policy Review Met with agent before June
• Documented Renovation Coverage Policy updated to reflect improvements
• Confirmed Temporary Housing ALE coverage verified and understood
• Home inventory completed with photos
• Faced the storm with confidence

Sarah's preparation wasn't complicated. She made time early in the season to review her coverage, update her policy to reflect home improvements, document her belongings, and understand exactly what her protection included. That preparation didn't change the weather — both families faced the same wind and rain. But only one family faced it with confidence.

Your Pre-Storm Coverage Checklist

1. Review Your Dwelling Coverage — Make sure your policy reflects today's actual rebuild cost for your home — not what you paid for it years ago. Construction costs have risen significantly.
2. Document Recent Renovations — Added a deck, remodeled a kitchen, or finished a basement? These improvements increase your home's value — and should be reflected in your coverage.
3. Create a Home Inventory — Walk through each room and record your belongings with photos or video. Store it somewhere accessible outside the home — cloud storage works well.
4. Confirm Your Additional Living Expenses Coverage — If a storm forces you out of your home, ALE coverage can help pay for hotel stays, meals, and more while repairs are made.
5. Ask About Flood Insurance — Standard homeowners policies typically do not cover flooding. Separate flood policies often have a waiting period — so ask now, not when a storm is forming.
6. Connect with Your Local Allstate Agent — A local agent can walk through your specific situation, identify potential gaps, and help you understand your options — while you still have them.

What Standard Policies Often Cover — And What They Don't

The forecast may change. The path may shift. But one thing remains constant every June: the window to review, update, and strengthen your coverage is open — and it won't stay open once a storm is named.

The difference between Mark's uncertainty and Sarah's confidence wasn't luck or money. It was a single conversation with an insurance agent, early in the season, before the pressure of an approaching storm made that conversation urgent.

What Happens to Your Insurance Options When a Storm Is Named?

Once a tropical storm or hurricane is officially named by the National Hurricane Center, insurance carriers typically impose binding restrictions — meaning they may no longer allow new policies to be issued or existing policies to be changed in affected areas.

This is why the timing of your coverage review matters so much. If you're waiting to see whether a storm actually develops before calling your agent, you may already be too late to make meaningful changes. The window is widest at the start of the season — not when a system is churning off the coast.

Your Allstate agent can tell you exactly what your current policy includes, what options are available to you now, and what steps to take before coverage windows close.

Hurricane Season: Key Dates & Facts

• June 1 — Season Start
• Nov 30 — Season End
• 6 — Months of Risk
• Peak — Most Active Period

Don't Wait for the Forecast

• Review Your Coverage Today: Talk with a local Allstate agent before the 2026 hurricane season heats up. Review your policy, update for renovations, and understand exactly what you're protected against.
• Find a Local Allstate Agent: A local agent can walk through your specific coverage needs, identify gaps, and help you prepare — while your options are still fully open.
• Start a Home Inventory: Walk through your home today and document belongings room by room with photos or video. Store it in the cloud so it's accessible anywhere.