Hurricane season can bring serious challenges for vacation rental owners. High winds, heavy rain and flooding can disrupt guest stays, damage property, and put rental income at risk. A clear hurricane plan can help you better protect your property, understand your coverage, and respond with more confidence. Use the following guidance to stay safe and limit potential damage if a hurricane impacts your area.
Key Safety Essentials for Your Rental
The safety of your guests and staff should come first. Keep these essentials stocked, easy to find, and ready to use so your property is better prepared if a hurricane disrupts travel, power, or water service.
- First-aid kit with bandages, gauze, gloves, and basic medications
- Battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio
- Flashlights in easy-to-find locations
- Backup phone chargers and power banks
- Trash bags, paper towels, and sanitation supplies
- Extra batteries for radios, flashlights, and other devices
- Blankets and towels for sheltering in place
- Bottled water or another safe water supply
- Nonperishable food in case travel or deliveries are delayed
- Printed emergency contacts, evacuation details, and guest instructions
Make sure you have more than one way to receive weather alerts and monitor local forecasts throughout the season. Use your welcome materials to tell guests who to contact, where supplies are stored, and what to do if a hurricane watch or warning is issued.
Clear communication helps reduce confusion when guests need direction most. The sooner you receive alerts and respond, the better prepared you will be.
What to Do Before a Hurricane
Create an evacuation plan for your property with a designated meeting place and include it in your guest handbook so guests can access it easily. Your plan should explain where to go, how to get there, what to take, and how to communicate with you. It should also reflect any steps you need to take to protect the property before you leave. Make sure to:
- List evacuation routes, nearby shelter options, and your designated meeting place.
- Explain what guests should take with them, including medications, identification, and essentials.
- Share how guests should contact you and when they should leave if an evacuation is ordered.
As the Hurricane Approaches
- Follow local emergency instructions and monitor alerts closely.
- Contact guests right away with clear next steps.
- If guests stay onsite and no evacuation is ordered, direct them to an interior room away from windows and exterior doors.
What to Do After a Hurricane
A hurricane can disrupt bookings, delay repairs, and interrupt normal operations long after the storm passes. A recovery plan can help you move faster, control costs, and make smarter decisions as you work to reopen.
Review your policy early, track storm-related expenses, and focus on the actions that can help protect your property and support your recovery. Keep these points in mind:
- Do not return to or reopen the property until local officials say the area is safe.
- Inspect the property carefully and wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing during cleanup.
- Stay away from damaged electrical systems, gas lines, and appliances until a professional checks them.
- Take photos, save receipts, and keep a written record of cleanup and repairs to support your claim.
Protect Your Rental With CBIZ
Your vacation rental is a major investment. CBIZ can help you protect your business, reduce risk, and prepare for hurricane season with insurance solutions built for your needs. Connect with our team today.
Frequently Asked Questions
It may, but coverage depends on how the damage happened and what your policy includes. Wind-related damage may be covered, while flood damage is often excluded and handled through separate flood coverage. Review your policy before hurricane season so you understand your deductibles, exclusions, and coverage limits.
In many cases, yes. Standard property coverage often does not cover flood damage, which can be a major risk during hurricane season. If your rental is in a flood-prone area, separate flood coverage may help protect both the property and your income.
Start with your insurance coverage, evacuation plan, and guest communication materials. It is also smart to document the property with current photos, confirm emergency contacts, and make sure safety supplies are stocked and easy to access
This blog may contain scenarios that are provided as examples only. Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy issued. The information provided is general in nature and may be affected by changes in law or the interpretation of such laws. The reader is advised to contact a professional prior to taking any action based upon this information.
