When it comes to insurance, so many people have the mindset of “it won’t happen to me!” With this blissfully oblivious outlook comes the lack of investment in such protection measures  as flood and contents insurance. If the 2017 hurricane season taught us anything, it’s that these terrifying storms can affect homes far outside the designated high-risk flood areas.

According to the property analytics firm CoreLogic, between $25 billion and $37 billion worth of flood loss hit homes across southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana during the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. Even worse, only about one-fourth of those costs will be covered by insurers. Let us do the math for you — best case scenario still leaves $15.5 billion left to be paid by storm survivors. You may be wondering why the uninsured amount is so high. The answer is painfully simple: The number of people who don’t realize they need a separate flood policy to be protected during these extreme circumstances far outweighs the number of those who do.

A standard homeowner’s insurance policy doesn’t include flood or contents insurance, leaving your home vulnerable to thousands of dollars in uninsured damages should a storm like Irma, Harvey, or Maria occur in the future. When shopping around for flood insurance, be sure to look for a company that has the financial stability to back you in the case of multiple storms. While it’s true that a flood may never impact your home, running the risk of assumption is a scary (and expensive) way to go.

You may have heard people talk about impact-resistant windows, especially in hurricane- and disaster-prone areas. Florida Home Improvement Associates partners with companies like Custom Window Systems, which has used the past 30 years to design, engineer, and perfect durable windows that  can benefit households in a variety of ways other than storm protection, such as intrusion resistance and noise cancelling.

But before you go replacing every window in your home, there are ways to check whether you already have impact-resistant windows and glass in place.

1) Check the type and style of the window

Windows come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and styles. The first step in determining what type of windows you currently have installed in your home is to check whether you have wood, vinyl, or aluminum frames. Mark this down, along with the style of the window. There are three main styles of windows: casement, which crank out; sliders, which slide side to side; and double-hung, which slide up and down.

Quick Tip: Impact-resistant windows usually have either vinyl or aluminum frames. If you have wooden window frames, it’s probably time for an upgrade.

2) Write down any letters and numbers on the glass

This step can be a little tricky. Some window manufacturers like to etch their company name into the glass, or just leave a trail of seemingly random numbers and letters behind. Scan the four corners of the windows first, as many companies put their markings in these areas. Record all the writing you see, as it will most likely pertain to the model number.

3) Measure the length and width of the exposed glass

This step will help in determining the model of window you currently have, as well as helping to find a replacement if you find your windows aren’t quite as impact-resistant as you’d like.

4) Take your recorded information to a professional window supplier

Using the information you gathered above, ask your local window supplier if they can identify the type of windows you currently have installed in your home. With that information, you can make a sound decision on whether you’d like to replace your current windows with impact-resistant ones or keep those you have. FHIA partners with some of the best impact-resistant suppliers, and is fully licensed and insured to do business in the state of Florida.

MYTH: Taping your windows is enough to keep water out and prevent breakage

FACT: You can throw this myth right out that window you were planning to tape up. Even the most durable ducttape gets worn out and loses its effectiveness when saturated by water, so imagine what condition it would be in with sheets of rain and punishing winds  of more than 50 mph. Some people also believe taping your windows will help prevent them from shattering, but it could actually be more dangerous. If the window does break with tape on it, it has a greater potential to fracture into hazardously large pieces. Think about investing in impact-resistant windows; if that’s not possible, board up your windows with shutters or plywood for the safest results.

MYTH: A mandatory evacuation order isn’t really mandatory

FACT: Florida natives are famous for this line of thought. However, any mandatory evacuation order is issued for your own safety, and thinking you can stick it out in your coastal or inland home when a storm is barreling down on your area is nothing but risky business. Get up and out at the first sign of an evacuation order, so you don’t find yourself trying to scramble when both conditions and traffic have deteriorated. Follow these steps in order to safely evacuate before a storm.

MYTH: Cracking your windows will stabilize the wind pressure

FACT: False. The only thing cracking your windows will do is let the violent wind from outside rush in, forcing it to find its own destructive way out. Unless your house has floor-to-ceiling windows, the here-and-there gaps in your home’s structure are more likely to cause windows to break from the outside before they ever explode from wind pressure on the inside. If taking that risk worries you, Custom Window Systems has engineered the The WINDPACT Window lineup of storm-resistant windows in order to put families at ease when faced with an approaching hurricane.

MYTH: You only need to board up the windows that face the water

FACT: If you’re only preparing for storm surge, this wouldn’t be such a myth. The problem with this statement is that it doesn’t take into account the fact that hurricanes rotate. As a result, strong winds and flying debris can come from any direction, not just the side facing the water. . If you’re going to board up your windows to prepare before a hurricane, be on the safe side and protect every area of your home.