Tampa Bay has been lucky for decades, but recent seasons have proven that luck doesn't last. Every Tampa Bay homeowner — Riverview, Brandon, Apollo Beach, Tampa, all of it — should have a working hurricane prep system in place before June 1 every year. Here's ours.
Phase 1: Pre-Season (May)
- ▸Pull out your homeowners policy and read the declarations page — confirm dwelling, contents, ALE, and ordinance/law coverages
- ▸Verify your hurricane deductible (often 2-5% of dwelling — could be $10K+)
- ▸Photograph the entire exterior and interior of your home in good condition (this is the 'before' you'll need if a storm hits)
- ▸Inventory contents room by room with photos or video — save to cloud storage
- ▸Service the roof, replace missing shingles, clean gutters, trim trees away from the structure
- ▸Update your evacuation supplies kit
Phase 2: Storm Watch (72 Hours Out)
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- ▸Refill prescriptions, top off fuel tanks, withdraw cash
- ▸Charge all devices and external batteries
- ▸Fill gallon containers with drinking water (1 gallon per person per day)
- ▸Pull in or anchor outdoor furniture, grills, planters
- ▸Locate and test your generator if you have one
- ▸Confirm your evacuation zone and route
Phase 3: Storm Warning (36 Hours Out)
- ▸Install hurricane shutters or board windows
- ▸Move valuables, important documents, and electronics to upper floors or sealed bins
- ▸Park vehicles in the garage if possible — never under trees
- ▸Take a final video walkthrough of the home before the storm hits
- ▸If evacuating, leave early — don't wait for traffic
Phase 4: After the Storm
- ▸Wait until officials confirm it's safe to return
- ▸Photograph all damage before any cleanup (exterior first, then interior, then contents)
- ▸Mitigate further damage with tarps, board-ups, and water extraction — save all receipts
- ▸File your claim with your carrier within the policy's deadline (usually 1-3 years but file early)
- ▸Don't sign anything from a contractor (especially AOBs) without legal or PA review
- ▸Call a Florida public adjuster for a free claim review before you accept the carrier's offer
What to Keep in Your Insurance Go-Bag
We recommend Tampa Bay homeowners keep a waterproof folder (or cloud folder) with: declarations page, full policy, agent contact, photos of the home pre-storm, contents inventory, mortgage statement, vehicle titles/registrations, IDs, and any prior claim documents. If your home is destroyed, these documents are what gets you back on your feet fastest.
Already Have Storm Damage?
Call Claim Beast at (386) 747-9440 for a free claim review. We'll document the damage, prepare your estimate, and fight your carrier for every dollar you're owed. Local Riverview HQ. No win, no fee.
Joe · Lead Public Adjuster & Co-Owner
Joe is a Florida and Georgia licensed public adjuster with over a decade of insurance industry experience on both sides of the table — meaning he knows exactly how the carriers think and exactly how to beat them.
Free Tampa Bay Claim Review — No Win, No Fee.
Call Claim Beast at (386) 747-9440 or fill out our online form for a free review of your insurance claim.
