Potter urged Virgin Islands residents to review insurance coverage before 2018 hurricane season

Lt. Gov. Osbert E. Potter, who also served as the territory’s insurance commissioner, said on April 10, 2018, that Virgin Islands residents should prepare for the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season and review their insurance coverage before the season began on June 1, 2018.

The Government House statement said AccuWeather had forecast an above-normal season with 12 to 15 named storms, including six to eight major hurricanes.

Potter said homeowners should know what their policies covered, obtain appraisals that included replacement-cost value, and avoid being underinsured. He also said property owners in the Virgin Islands should not exclude windstorm coverage and noted that flood insurance must be purchased separately because it is not included in a homeowner’s policy.

The statement said residents could not buy a homeowners insurance policy after a storm had been declared. It also advised renters to buy renter’s insurance, condominium owners to understand that a master policy is held by the condominium association, and property owners to keep insurance papers and other important documents in safe, waterproof and fireproof containers.

Potter also advised residents to inventory personal property, photograph their homes, assemble disaster supplies, and protect property by installing shutters, trimming tree limbs and clearing debris.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/lieutenant-governor-potter-encourages-residents-to-be-ready-be-insured-for-the-upcoming-hurricane-season/