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Hurricane prep: what a good property manager should do

On the Gulf Coast, how a manager handles storms matters as much as the fee. Few local managers describe their storm process in a way you can compare, so ask before you sign.

Before hurricane season

• Keep an up-to-date photo or video record of the property's condition (useful for insurance claims).
• Confirm the owner's insurance details on file. Near the coast, separate wind and flood policies are common. Insurance costs are rising: Florida landlord insurance averages about $5,376 a year statewide (managecasa.com), and Mississippi wind pool rates rose 17.2% in January 2026 (Sun Herald).
• Agree in writing what the manager may do and spend in a storm emergency without reaching you.
• Make sure leases spell out tenant duties: securing outdoor items, reporting damage, evacuation.
• Line up vendors (roofers, tree removal, water mitigation) ahead of time.

When a storm is coming

• Send tenants storm reminders and emergency contacts.
• Secure vacant properties: shutters if fitted, outdoor items, utilities as needed.
• Tell owners how they'll be contacted afterward.

After the storm

• Check in with tenants and inspect properties as soon as it's safe, starting with vacant homes.
• Photograph damage and prevent further damage (tarps, water extraction).
• Help with insurance claims: documents, adjuster access, repair estimates.
• Communicate clearly about rent if a home can't be lived in. The lease and state law govern this.
• Keep repair costs and markups transparent (see hidden fees).

Questions to ask a manager

• What is your written storm plan for occupied and vacant homes?
• How soon after a storm do you inspect, and do I get photos?
• How much can you spend on emergency repairs without my approval?
• Which vendors do you use, and how do you get priority after a big storm?
• Do you charge extra for storm prep, inspections or managing claims?
• How did you handle the last major storm here? Can I speak to an owner who went through it?

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General information only. This guide is not legal, tax, insurance or financial advice. Rules change, so confirm details with the company, your insurer, a licensed professional or the relevant agency.