Living in Beaufort County, with its beautiful coastal location, offers plenty of perks—from stunning waterfront views to small-town charm. But as we know all too well, coastal living also brings risks, particularly from hurricanes, flooding, and other natural disasters. At Harbor Insurance, we see many homeowners who think they’re fully protected but discover too late that their home insurance policies have costly gaps. To help you avoid those pitfalls, let’s go over some of the most common home insurance mistakes we see in Beaufort County—and how to avoid them.
One of the biggest risks for homes in Beaufort County is damage from hurricanes. Yet, surprisingly, many homeowners don’t realize their standard home insurance policies don’t always cover wind and hail damage caused by these storms. In coastal areas like ours, wind and hail coverage is often excluded or comes with restrictions, which means you could be on the hook for significant out-of-pocket expenses after a hurricane.
If your policy doesn’t include wind and hail coverage, you need to purchase it separately. This coverage is crucial during hurricane season when high winds can cause roof damage, downed trees, and other structural issues. Always double-check your policy to ensure you're covered before the next big storm hits.
Flooding is another serious risk, especially in low-lying and coastal areas of Beaufort County. However, many homeowners mistakenly believe that their standard home insurance policy covers flood damage—it doesn’t. Flood insurance is a separate policy typically offered through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers. Whether you live directly on the coast or a few miles inland, you’re still at risk for flood damage from hurricanes, tropical storms, or heavy rains.
Even if you’re not in a high-risk flood zone, we recommend purchasing flood insurance. Floods can happen anywhere, and with changing weather patterns, more areas are experiencing unexpected flooding. Make sure you’re protected by reviewing your flood zone and securing the appropriate coverage.
A common mistake we see among homeowners is opting for a wind insurance policy with a high deductible without fully understanding what that means. Many insurance companies offer wind deductibles as a percentage of the insured value of your home—often around 1-5%—instead of a fixed dollar amount. While this might seem like a good way to lower your premiums, it can lead to an unpleasant surprise if you ever need to file a claim.
For example, if your home is insured for $300,000 and you have a 3% wind deductible, you’ll need to pay $9,000 out-of-pocket before your insurance kicks in for wind-related damage. Many homeowners don’t realize the deductible is percentage-based and are caught off guard by the high costs after a storm.
When reviewing your policy, pay close attention to how your wind deductible is structured. If you’re uncomfortable with the potential out-of-pocket costs, consider lowering your deductible, even if it raises your premium slightly. It’s important to strike a balance between affordable premiums and manageable deductibles.
Another common mistake homeowners make is underinsuring their property. In an effort to save on premiums, some homeowners opt for coverage that doesn’t reflect the true replacement cost of their home. If a disaster strikes and your coverage is too low, you might find yourself paying out of pocket to rebuild or repair your home.
Work with your insurance agent to determine the accurate replacement cost of your home—not just its market value. You’ll want enough coverage to rebuild in the event of a total loss, including construction costs, materials, and labor. Adjust your policy over time to account for inflation and rising construction costs.
Insurance needs change over time, especially in a dynamic environment like Beaufort County, where new risks can emerge with changing weather patterns. Many homeowners make the mistake of setting up their policy and then forgetting about it, only to realize later that it no longer meets their needs.
We recommend reviewing your home insurance policy every year—particularly before hurricane season starts. Has your home increased in value? Have you made significant improvements? Are you still in the same flood zone? These are important questions to consider when reviewing your coverage. Your insurance agent can help you make sure your policy reflects your current needs and risks.
If you have a detached garage, shed, or other outbuildings on your property, you’ll want to make sure they’re covered under your policy. Many homeowners overlook these structures, assuming they’re automatically included in their insurance coverage. But depending on your policy, you may need to purchase additional coverage for these items.
Check your policy to see if your additional structures are covered and at what limits. If they’re not, or if the coverage is too low, speak with your agent about increasing your limits or adding a rider to your policy.
Home insurance is a crucial part of protecting your investment, but having the wrong coverage—or not enough coverage—can leave you exposed to costly damage, especially in an area like Beaufort County, where hurricanes and floods are a reality of life. At Harbor Insurance, we’re here to help you navigate the complexities of home insurance and make sure you have the right coverage in place for your needs.
If you’re unsure about your current policy or need help finding the best coverage, contact us today for a free home insurance review. Let’s make sure you’re fully protected before the next storm arrives!