Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and for many Naples owners it is also the stretch when they are away. That gap is the reason storm services are one of the most requested parts of home watch. When a named storm heads for Southwest Florida, you may be hundreds or thousands of miles away, unable to put up shutters, move lanai furniture or check the damage afterward. A home watch provider can do those things for you, or tell you what has happened, while you wait for the all-clear.
Storm preparation is a separate decision for each owner. Some providers include it, some quote it as an add-on, and some do not offer it at all. Ask before you need it, not when the cone is already on the news.
Before a storm: what providers commonly do
- Put up storm shutters or panels, if you have arranged this and have the hardware on site
- Move lanai and patio furniture, plants, grills and decorations inside or into the garage
- Secure or remove loose items in the yard that could become projectiles
- Check that the garage door and exterior doors are locked and the windows are closed
- Photograph and video the interior and exterior before the storm, as a record of condition
- Make a note of the thermostat setting, the position of the main water valve and whether the pool equipment is on
Many homeowner associations limit how long shutters can stay up, so the same provider often removes them again within the allowed window. Tell your provider what your HOA rules say, and whether your shutters are accordion, roll-down or panels that must be hung.
After a storm: when it is safe
A provider does not go to your house while a storm is in progress or while roads are closed. Once local officials say travel is safe, the provider typically checks the home as soon as access allows, and your home may be one of dozens they need to visit. That is another reason to ask how many properties they serve and how they prioritize visits after a storm.
What the post-storm check covers
- Visible roof damage from the ground, missing tiles or shingles, and damaged gutters
- Broken windows or doors, and signs of water intrusion on ceilings, walls and floors
- Lanai and pool cage damage, torn screens and bent frames
- Fallen trees, large branches and debris on the property
- Whether the power is on, and the status of the refrigerator and freezer
- Thermostat, AC and humidity, since an outage can leave a closed house hot and damp
- Standing water in the yard or garage, and any sign of flooding
Photo and video report
The provider documents what they see with dated photos and video and sends them to you. If there is damage, that record is important when you file with your insurer. Many owners also ask the provider to place tarps or call a contractor if there is an active roof or window opening. Agree in advance what the provider is allowed to arrange and what the spending limit is, since most will not authorize repairs without you.
Flooding, power loss and food
Power outages are common after major storms, and a refrigerator full of food in a house nobody is visiting becomes a serious cleanup problem within days. If you are leaving for the season, empty the refrigerator and freezer. If you cannot, tell your provider what to do if the power has been out, whether they are allowed to remove spoiled food, and where to put it. Some providers will empty a refrigerator and document it for your insurance claim.
Working with your insurance
Policies differ on wind, water and flood damage, and on how soon you must report. Photos taken before and after a storm help show what changed. Keep your provider's reports and the dates, send them to your insurer promptly, and ask your agent how your policy treats damage to an unoccupied home. This is general information, not insurance advice.
What drives the cost
Storm prep and post-storm visits are usually priced separately from the regular schedule, though some providers waive the fee if a regular visit falls shortly after the storm. Prices vary with the size of the home, the type of shutters, the amount of preparation needed and whether visits happen at short notice. Ask whether you are charged per visit, per hour or per task, and whether there is a surge rate during a storm.
A simple storm plan to set up now
- Tell your provider where the shutters are, how they go up and who has the keys
- Share your HOA rules on shutters and trash cans
- Set a spending limit and a contact order: you first, then a trusted neighbor or relative
- Decide what to do with the refrigerator before you leave
- Confirm that the provider can reach your community after a storm, including gate access
Frequently asked questions
Will the provider stay in town for a storm?
That depends on the provider. Many prepare homes in the days before a storm and check them once it is safe to travel, but they are not required to stay and they will not enter during the storm.
Do providers put up storm shutters?
Some do, as an extra service. Ask whether your type of shutter is something they handle, and who removes it afterward to meet HOA rules.
Can I use their photos for my insurance claim?
Dated photos and video from regular visits and from after the storm are useful documentation. Send them to your insurer promptly and keep copies.
Areas served
Naples, Old Naples, Park Shore, Moorings, Coquina Sands, Port Royal, Pelican Bay, Grey Oaks, Mediterra, Quail West, Talis Park, Tiburon. Home watch in Bonita Springs | Home watch in Estero | Home watch in Marco Island