Preparing Your Insurance for the Hurricane Season: An Interview with a Licensed Agent

With hurricane season in full swing, preparing your insurance for the coming storms is the most important thing you can do right now. While this task may seem intimidating, it’s actually quite simple, and it’s made even simpler thanks to the help of Houston-based Allstate agent Alberto Tudela.

We interviewed Alberto about the intricacies of homeowner’s insurance for the hurricane season, what to look out for, what to ask, and what can best prepare you. Below, we’re sharing his answers as he demystifies the process and arms you with the knowledge you need for the current hurricane season and beyond.

Introducing Alberto Tudela

For Alberto Tudela, Houston is home. Not only is he a graduate of the University of Texas in Austin, but his mother is a native Houstonian. Moving here permanently in 2015, Alberto has honed his skills through numerous roles in the insurance industry over the past twenty years.

His motto? Always put the customer first. This commitment shapes his ethos as an insurance agent, and it’s his goal to guide, inform, and prepare homeowners with the coverage they need. Volunteering for this interview without a second thought, Alberto now shares his wisdom and experience in the industry with us as we face the brunt of the hurricane season in Houston.

Preparing Your Insurance for the Hurricane Season Explained

Q: Good afternoon, Alberto! As we endure the hurricane season, insurance is one of the top concerns on everyone’s minds. Could you offer some advice on what homeowners can do to prepare?

A: Absolutely! As some have noticed, storms, especially hurricanes, have risen nationwide, and, unfortunately, Texas is at the epicenter. There’s a lot that homeowners in Houston can do to prepare their insurance for this and protect themselves.

One of the best things you can do right now is to know who your insurance company and agent are. Having your policy number and your agent’s number on hand can significantly reduce the time you spend filing a claim when disaster strikes.

Secondly, your deductibles play a major part in your coverage; you should know what those are in detail. Did you know in Texas, storm, wind, hail, and hurricane damage can all have separate deductibles? So, knowing what your deductible is for each is crucial.

However, remember you and your family come first. Make a plan right now for lodging if a hurricane damages or destroys your home. Plan your evacuation if necessary, too. Hurricane Harvey taught us the importance of this, and it’s something you should always keep in mind.

I would also recommend that homeowners keep a property damage mitigation company on file with their insurer beforehand. It’s a tremendous time-saver in an emergency, and every minute counts if there’s water damage after a hurricane.

Oh, and call your insurance right away after any property damage you sustain. As I said, time is critical during any emergency.

Q: Wow! That’s undoubtedly helpful; I’m sure homeowners will appreciate the advice. Could you expand on what homeowners should look for regarding coverage?

A: Certainly. I mentioned that you should know your deductibles, which are the amount you must pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in. Most deductibles have increased recently due to construction costs, which can complicate things.

That’s why I recommend discussing what your policy covers with your insurance agent. They can help you run through estimates for repairs and reconstruction costs, which is important as you want these estimates to exceed your deductible and ensure a successful claim.

Always discuss your claim with an agent beforehand. A denied claim can make finding future providers harder and potentially raise your rates.

Also, homeowners should consider whether their policy covers the replacement cost of their home if it’s destroyed. Sometimes, depreciation can reduce your chances of meeting the replacement cost, leaving you with a huge expense. Again, always discuss a claim with an agent; it will help you more than anything else.

Q: Thanks for sharing that, Alberto. As we both know, flooding is a prominent issue in Houston, and the risk only worsens during hurricane season. Is there anything homeowners should know regarding flood insurance?

A: Only a few homeowners know this, but flood insurance is entirely separate from their homeowner’s policy. Why? Because it’s costly for most companies, as flooding is incredibly damaging.

Typically, flood insurance is covered through your mortgage company. However, I recommend that homeowners use the National Flood Insurance Program offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) instead.

It’s an unbelievably competitive program that always carries the same price no matter the agent you use and provides the best coverage possible. It’s the best choice, and I’d like to remind every homeowner that flood insurance is crucial, especially living in a flood-prone area like Houston.

Q: We appreciate all that you’ve shared so far, Alberto. Before we wrap up, is there anything else homeowners should know?

A: Use a well-rated insurance company for your policy. You want a company you can trust when an emergency strikes. There are a few ways you can verify this.

My go-to is checking the AM Best rating. It’s the industry standard for rating insurance carriers and a reliable tool to determine whether a company is stable and trustworthy. You can also rely on the longevity of a company, such as State Farm and Allstate, which have been around for decades.

Most importantly, you should find an exceptional insurance agent. They’ll ensure you have proper coverage and appropriate limits and will help during any emergency. Let them guide you through the process, and trust them every step of the way.

Wrapping Up

As hurricanes, storms, and other freak weather events continue to grow in size and number, we can’t thank Alberto enough for his insight on how homeowners can stay prepared and protected during these turbulent times.

If you ever need a quick reminder on what you can do to prepare your insurance as a Houston homeowner for this hurricane season and others in the future, we’ve put together all of Alberto’s key points in a list below:

1. Know your insurance carrier and agent, and have all relevant information ready beforehand.
2. Discuss what your deductibles are with your agent and what your policy covers.
3. Prepare lodging ahead of time and plan out your evacuation.
4. Have a property damage mitigation company you trust on file with your insurance carrier.
5. Always speak with your agent before filing a claim.

Again, we’d like to thank Alberto Tudela of Allstate Tudela Insurance Solutions in Houston for the knowledge he shared during our interview. We can’t recommend him enough as an agent you can trust as the hurricane season continues.

Face the Hurricane Season with PuroClean of Central Southwest Houston at Your Side!

As hurricane season continues, it is crucial to ensure that your home and business are properly prepared for potential damage. At PuroClean of Central Southwest Houston, we understand the challenges of natural disasters and stand ready to help you fortify your property against the looming threat by offering superior property damage restoration services you can rely on.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact us today at (832) 856-5900 to schedule a comprehensive assessment and more information.