NEW YORK (CNN/Money) -
Understanding your rights as the holder of a homeowner's insurance policy is critical for people in the eye of the storm, but even if you're not, you'll want bone up on the details.
Here are today's 5 tips on getting through a hurricane.
1. Know what you need.
Hurricane damage is covered under a standard homeowner's policy. If a home is damaged or destroyed by a hurricane, you will be covered for the cost of temporary repairs to prevent damage. You can also be reimbursed for additional living expenses, if the storm makes your home uninhabitable.
However, it's not the high winds that do most of the damage, it's the storm surge -- and that means flooding. Insurers generally don't underwrite flood insurance, that's up to the federal government. So if you live in an area prone to hurricanes or flooding, be sure to get coverage offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Flood Insurance Program.
2. Get the right insurance coverage early.
After a hurricane warning or watch has been put in place by the National Weather Service, it's too late to get coverage or change or upgrade your coverage.
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 CNNfn's Gerri Willis shares five tips on homeowner's insurance when it comes to storm damage.
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The moratorium typically applies for 48 hours after a watch or warning has been lifted. And most insurers require you to have a property inspection when processing applications.
Flood insurance, which is issued by the National Flood Insurance Program, has an automatic 30-day waiting period. So get coverage early.
3. Don't get canceled.
Companies could decide to discontinue your policy in the wake of a hurricane if there were hazards that aggravated damages, like dead trees or a faulty roof.
Make sure your home is in good repair and that large items that could become missiles in high winds are removed before the storm approaches.
4. Know thy deductible.
Most policies now have a hurricane deductible, a percent deductible rather than a dollar deductible, of one to five percent of the home's insured value.
For mobile homes, the law allows a deductible of up to five percent when there is a lien on the home, or up to 10 percent if there is no lien.
5. Get the full replacement coverage.
Check to see whether the policy you have or are being offered is for replacement cost coverage or actual cash value. Full replacement coverage is preferable.
Gerri Willis is a personal finance editor for CNN Business News. Willis also is co-host of CNNfn's Open House, weekdays from Noon to 12:30 p.m. (ET). E-mail comments to 5tips@cnn.com.
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