We are nearing the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season and, thankfully, the season thus far has been relatively uneventful for those of us in the coastal Carolina area.

Being prepared for hurricanes is a regular part of life in our area. Those who have experienced these storms before likely have supplies ready – think flashlights, water, non-perishable food, battery-operated radios, back-up power supplies/generators – in their homes, as well as a “get-out-of-Dodge” plan in place for when the tropical winds and rains inevitably come calling.

But what if you own rental properties in the area? Surely even the most responsible tenants can’t be expected to care for your investment as you would. Or, better yet, care for it as a professional property manager would.

Professional property management companies have both the in-house staff and close vendor relationships that will allow them to assist in taking care of those last-minute preparations that are necessary to protect your investment against approaching storms.

Here are a few ways having an experienced and full-service property management company manage your properties can help prevent damage and loss from hurricanes:

1. Planning – Much like you have plans for dealing with and preparing for things, whether that’s financial, familial, business, etc., professional property management firms have plans for dealing with hurricanes. The right firm will have the top-notch in-house personnel to put hurricane-readiness plans into action.
2. Contact – You need to focus your attention on readying yourself, your family, and your primary residence for an incoming storm. Do you really want to use your valuable preparation time to contact each and every one of your tenants as a storm approaches? Property managers excel in reaching out to tenants, whether via email, phone, text, etc. It may seem like a small thing but providing tenants with valuable pre-storm information may give them the notice they need to prepare themselves for what is coming. And, while property management is primarily about protecting and maximizing your investment, this step is about your tenants’ safety and wellbeing above all else.
3. Vendor Relationships – Your property management firm should have long-standing relationships and favorable priority with with local contractors to give your property the attention and protection it needs ahead of a potentially destructive storm. These relationships are developed and fostered through years of experience, with the best firms building reputations as leaders in the community.
4. Insurance: Sometimes even the best preparation efforts won’t hold up against the torrential rains, high winds, and storm surge brought on by hurricanes. That’s why it’s crucial to have proper insurance coverages in place. Before a storm even threatens the area, talk with your insurance agent to be sure you have the coverage you need. After Hurricane Florence, many people found themselves lacking proper coverage and unfortunately had to pay for large repairs out of pocket – a position no one wants to find themselves in. In addition, make sure you have your insurance documents handy when a storm is approaching so you’re able to easily access them afterward and get a jump start on filing claims if needed.