Each year, residents and business owners across Bryan, College Station, and the Brazos Valley face a familiar threat: hurricane season. Despite frequent reminders, many policyholders wait until a storm is imminent to examine whether their insurance coverage is adequate. Unfortunately, waiting until a storm is in the forecast often leaves them with no options for adjustments or new coverage.
Van Dyke Rankin Insurance emphasizes a clear message: the time to review your insurance is now — not when a storm is approaching.
Understanding Binding Restrictions
When a tropical storm or hurricane is forecasted to affect Texas, insurance companies frequently issue binding restrictions. These restrictions are temporary measures that prohibit:
- Issuing new insurance policies
- Increasing existing policy limits
- Adding new coverage endorsements
This measure protects insurance companies from sudden, high-risk exposure. However, it also means property owners cannot make crucial changes or obtain coverage once a storm threat is imminent.
Key triggers for binding restrictions may include:
- A storm entering the coast
- A hurricane forecasted to make landfall in Texas
- Official storm watches or warnings issued for the region
It’s a common misconception that there’s always time to secure coverage once a storm is named. In reality, insurers may impose restrictions days in advance, long before winds and rain reach the Brazos Valley.
Inland Doesn’t Mean Immune
While coastal communities often receive the most attention during hurricane season, areas like Bryan and College Station are not immune to damage. Hurricanes can bring significant wind, hail, tornado activity, and flooding far inland. Even a downgraded tropical storm can produce costly damage to property and business operations across the Brazos Valley.
For example:
- High winds can tear off roofing materials or break windows, causing interior damage.
- Prolonged rainfall can overwhelm drainage systems and cause flooding, even in areas not historically prone to floods.
- Power outages can interrupt business operations for days, leading to lost income.
A storm does not need to be a major hurricane to cause substantial financial loss.
Risks of Being Underinsured
A major issue that arises during hurricane season is the realization that existing insurance coverage is insufficient for current property values, business operations, or evolving risk exposures. Changes that may leave policyholders underinsured include:
- Home or building renovations that increase replacement cost value
- Rising construction costs due to inflation
- Business expansions, with new equipment or inventory
- Changes in policy language or exclusions
- Insufficient windstorm or hurricane deductible planning
Without a regular policy review, homeowners and businesses may discover gaps only after damage has occurred — when it’s too late to make changes.
The Van Dyke Rankin Proactive Approach
At Van Dyke Rankin Insurance, our agents maintain a proactive strategy designed to protect clients before hurricane season escalates. Our team encourages policyholders to schedule a comprehensive insurance review well before any storm threats appear.
A professional policy review covers:
- Coverage limits: Are current limits sufficient to cover increased property values or new assets?
- Deductibles: Many policies carry separate hurricane or windstorm deductibles, often significantly higher than standard deductibles. Understanding these costs is critical.
- Policy exclusions: Subtle changes in policy terms can result in uncovered losses. Reviews help identify and address potential gaps.
- Additional coverages: Some clients may need flood insurance, business income protection, or other endorsements based on evolving risks.
Van Dyke Rankin Insurance serves as a trusted partner to help ensure that policies remain current, comprehensive, and aligned with clients’ needs.
Benefits of a Pre-Season Insurance Review
Conducting an insurance review ahead of hurricane season offers significant advantages:
Financial Protection
Updated coverage can mitigate significant out-of-pocket expenses if a storm causes property damage. A properly structured policy helps preserve your financial stability.
Faster Claims Resolution
Accurate, up-to-date policies enable insurers to process claims more efficiently. This reduces delays and disputes during the claims process.
Compliance with Lender Requirements
Many mortgage lenders require homeowners to maintain specific coverage levels. A review ensures continued compliance, preventing potential issues with financing.
Peace of Mind
Knowing that your coverage is current can reduce stress during storm season. Proactive planning replaces uncertainty with confidence.
Steps You Can Take Today
Van Dyke Rankin Insurance recommends taking these immediate steps:
✅ Schedule an Insurance Review — Evaluate current coverage, limits, and potential gaps.
✅ Update Replacement Cost Estimates — Rising property values and building costs may require higher limits.
✅ Understand Your Deductibles — Particularly hurricane and windstorm deductibles, which may be significantly higher than standard amounts.
✅ Discuss Additional Coverage Options — Consider flood insurance, business interruption insurance, and other protections relevant to your property or business.
The team at Van Dyke Rankin is available to help clients across Bryan, College Station, and the Brazos Valley navigate these important conversations.
Conclusion: Act Now, Not Later
Hurricane season is unpredictable. Waiting until a storm appears on the horizon is simply too late to secure or adjust critical insurance protection.
Van Dyke Rankin Insurance urges property and business owners to act during the calm before the storm. Proactive policy reviews provide confidence that, should severe weather strike, your insurance coverage will help protect your financial security and support recovery efforts swiftly and efficiently.
Contact Van Dyke Rankin Insurance today to schedule your hurricane season insurance review and ensure your coverage is ready for whatever the season may bring.
About Van Dyke Rankin Insurance
Van Dyke Rankin Insurance has proudly served homeowners and businesses across Bryan, College Station, and the greater Brazos Valley for decades. Our experienced team offers tailored insurance solutions for home, auto, health, and life, delivering protection and peace of mind with a client-first approach. We believe in educating our clients, so they can make confident choices about their coverage. Discover how we can help safeguard what matters most at vandykerankin.com.
