NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Hurricane Frances is set to make landfall in Florida tomorrow. If you were lucky enough to escape the wrath of Charley, you may not be as fortunate this time around.

Even if you're not in Frances' direct line of fire, you could still be affected. A Category 4 storm's winds can cause dangerous wind conditions and property damage miles away.

You should also take precautions in the event the storm chances course. Here are 5 Tips to help you get prepared.

Get a copy of your homeowner's insurance policy and make sure you have your agent's contact numbers -- including cellphone -- handy. You'll need your insurance policy number as well.

Write down the name, address and claims-reporting telephone number of your insurance company, which may differ from your agent's contact information.

This isn't the time to try and scramble to get coverage. Homeowners can't get insurance once hurricane watches or warnings are in effect, nor can they increase their coverage. Flood insurance, which is issued by the National Flood Insurance Program, also can't be bought in a hurry. It has an automatic 30-day waiting period.

The State of Florida's Financial Services Consumer Helpline for storm related insurance questions is 1-800-22-STORM (1-800-227-8676). The Insurance Information Institute has posted 1-800 numbers for various insurance companies on its Web site, www.iii.org.

Hurricanes are covered by homeowners insurance. But in the state of Florida, once an area storm is declared a hurricane by the National Weather Service "hurricane deductibles" are triggered.

CNNfn's Gerri Willis shares five tips on how to prepare for the hurricane. Play video (Real or Windows Media)

That means, if you live in coastal or other at-risk areas, your flat rate deductible converts to a percentage deductible. These range from 2 to 5 percent of your home's value. The exact percentage depends on the how much your home is insured for -- the higher your home's insured value, the higher the deductible. For mobile homes, deductibles can run as high as 10 percent.

These measures remain in effect for as long as hurricane conditions exist anywhere in the state and end 72 hours after the last hurricane watch or warning.

Start documenting what you own before the storm hits. Conduct a room-by-room inventory of precious items, furniture and appliances.

If you've saved receipts from big-ticket purchases, get them together. Taking room-by-room photographs can help you tally up the value of your possessions. (Videotaping is also helpful.)

Store original lists, photographs, tapes, and records in a safe place like a safety deposit box, and if possible, keep copies with you in a waterproof container. For a downloadable pamphlet that can help you document your possessions, go to the Florida Department of Financial Services Web site www.fldfs.com.

In recent years, insurers have phased out "guaranteed replacement policies" that would, as the name implies, guarantee the replacement of a destroyed home.

Similar sounding coverage in the form of "extended replacement policies" are now offered instead. These policies promise to pay the full value of the policy, plus an additional 20 to 25 percent.

That means if you haven't adequately determined how much it would cost to replace your home, you may not have enough coverage to replace it. If your home is insured for $250,000 and it's destroyed by wind or fire, in all probability you'll want to rebuild it.

But as the costs of materials and labor have risen, your $250,000 home may be much more expensive to rebuild than you know. To prevent this from happening, it's important to have an up-to-date appraisal of your home -- and the amount of money it would cost to rebuild it.

Now's the time to hatch a family disaster plan. Designate someone outside the hurricane area that family members can contact after the storm. That person will be able to keep track of where people are and can pass messages to family members if local phone networks are affected.

Also, figure out the most secure place to take cover in your home if you're told not to evacuate. FEMA directs people in multiple story dwellings to take cover in first-floor interior closets, rooms or hallways, preferably ones without windows. If you're in a one story dwelling, do the same, and if possible, take cover beneath a table or other sturdy object.

Discuss with your family where you'll meet in case a hurricane strikes and you are not together. You may be told to evacuate the area. Call your local police or fire department to find out ahead of time where you'll be expected to evacuate to and where important emergency facilities are located.

Know in advance which public buildings in your community will be designated as shelters by calling your local emergency management office. For more storm-related emergency phone numbers and information visit www.floridadisaster.org.

It's also a smart idea to have a hurricane kit. Emergency experts recommend having a 3-day supply of non-perishable food and drinking water in your home for each member of your family. They advise 1 gallon of water per person per day but they note that nursing mothers, sick people and children may need more. Non-perishable food items should require little or no preparation.

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Don't forget a manual can opener and utensils. Other emergency items include a battery-powered radio, extra batteries, flashlights, hygiene supplies and extra clothing.

You may also want to assemble a first aid kit that's appropriate for your family. It's not a bad idea to get some guidance from your family doctor about what prescription drugs and special needs items you'll need to gather. Keep emergency cash on hand and fill up the car with gas, as supplies may run short after the storm. For more information on storm preparations, check out www.fema.gov.

Gerri Willis is a personal finance editor for CNN Business News. Willis also hosts CNNfn's Open House, weekdays from Noon to 12:30 p.m. (ET). E-mail comments to 5tips@cnn.com.