Top Ten Reasons Your Property Isn't Hurricane-Ready

State Farm® reminds customers August marks peak hurricane season

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Aug 06, 2013, 06:00 ET

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Aug. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- If you used the plywood from your hurricane shutters to build a tree house there's a good chance you aren't hurricane-ready.

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If hurricane season is anything like last year, being prepared is paramount. State Farm is reminding property owners that a little preparation can make a big difference when it comes to safety and security.

Is your property hurricane-ready? If you identify with a majority of our top ten list you may not be ready:

Your Roof is in Poor Condition and the shingles are smiling
Your house has large trees looming over it... and branches ready to fall
There are none of those famous "hurricane straps" on your trusses or rafters
The house was never bolted down to the foundation
The plywood that's supposed to serve as hurricane shutters was used to build tree house
Your six foot-wide patio doors rattle every time the wind blows
The wind brace for your garage door is holding up a bird feeder
The stuff in your yard; patio furniture, solid fence, pool cage, is ready to sail away in the wind
You have no emergency power system (generator)
You forgot to meet with your agent to review your homeowners coverage.

Forecasters expect to see above-average hurricane activity between now and November. The peak of hurricane season begins in August. Homeowners can protect themselves and their property with a few easy steps:

Review your insurance coverage. Make sure you have the right amount and type of insurance.

Create a home inventory. Make a list of your possessions and their estimated value. Get a FREE State Farm® Home Inventory Checklist.

Protect your property. Stock plywood and materials you may need to board up windows. Move garbage cans and other large objects inside the house or garage. Secure boats and cars.

Have an evacuation plan. Before the hurricane, decide what you will do. Find out the location of evacuation shelters. Determine if you will ride out the storm in your home (if local authorities permit you to stay), or establish a safe place inland. Plan an escape route. Tell relatives where you will be.

To learn more about how to protect yourself and your property, visit State Farm Learning Center.

About State Farm^®:
State Farm and its affiliates are the largest provider of car insurance in the U.S. and is a leading insurer in Canada. In addition to providing auto insurance quotes, their 18,000 agents and more than 69,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts – more than 79 million auto, home, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 44 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com or in Canada http://www.statefarm.ca.