The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30 each year, with maximum hurricane activity occurring in early- to mid-September. While it is possible for a hurricane to form during any month of the year, just 3% of these storms occur outside of hurricane season, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). [1]
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Is 2024 going to be a bad hurricane season?
Going into the 2024 hurricane season, Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) — one of the industry’s leading hurricane forecasting teams — is predicting a very active season that's 30% above the 30-year norm. [2]
If you live close to the Atlantic or Gulf Coast, make sure to prepare your home and review your homeowners insurance well in advance of a hurricane threat.
Which months have the most hurricanes?
August through October are considered the peak months during hurricane season. Around 78% of tropical storm days, 87% of minor hurricane days, and 96% of the major hurricane days occur during those months, with early to mid-September being the most active time for tropical storms, according to the NOAA.
Hurricane season and insurance moratoriums
Before hurricane season gets into high gear, be sure to double check your home and flood insurance policies and make any necessary changes before a storm rolls through. Changes you may want to make before or early on in hurricane season include:
Enhancing your home insurance dwelling coverage by adding extended or guaranteed replacement cost coverage to your policy
Lowering your windstorm, named storm, or hurricane deductible to an amount you can better afford
Purchasing a separate windstorm insurance policy if wind and hail are excluded from your homeowners insurance
Purchasing a flood insurance policy or endorsement
You’re generally able to update and purchase new lines of coverage during hurricane season, but insurers are less lenient when a tropical storm is moving toward your state.
Once a hurricane warning is issued by your state, it's common for insurance companies to issue moratoriums on updating or purchasing coverage, which means you won’t be able to adjust, add, or purchase coverage or additional policies until after the storm has passed. For that reason, it’s important to review and update your insurance policies well in advance of a hurricane threat.
Frequently asked questions
Does home insurance cover hurricanes?
Homeowners insurance covers your home and personal belongings if they’re damaged by hurricane winds, but generally won’t cover any flood damage caused by hurricane storm surge. If you live in a coastal flood zone, you’ll need flood insurance to fully protect your home and belongings from hurricane damage. Residents in high-risk areas of Texas may also have a wind exclusion in their home insurance policies. If that’s the case, you’ll need a separate windstorm insurance policy to supplement that gap in coverage.
When is hurricane season in Florida?
Hurricane season in Florida is the same as the rest of the continental U.S. — June through November with peak activity in early to mid-September.
Learn more >> How to prepare for the 2024 hurricane season in Florida?
Do I need separate hurricane insurance?
While it would be convenient for coastal residents if such an insurance product existed, unfortunately there isn’t an all-in-one hurricane insurance policy. However, by combining home, flood, and — when applicable — windstorm insurance, you can fully protect your house against catastrophic hurricane damage.
