Residents in hurricane-prone areas aren't properly prepared, survey says

2017 brought the costliest hurricane season on record. Despite this, a new poll found that residents in hurricane-prone states aren't effectively protecting themselves this storm season. The study, conducted online by the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI), found that only 35% of respondents said that last year's storms prompted them to take any precautions this year.

Residents are dangerously ill-prepared

To make matters worse, the poll also found that only half of residents are familiar with their local municipality, county, or state evacuation plan, and less than half (48%) have developed an emergency plan and shared it with their household. Furthermore, the poll found that 55% of residents in hurricane-prone states do not have an emergency bag, which includes necessities such as medication, non-perishable food and water. Even among those whose homes were damaged by last year's storms, only 53% have this bag prepared. And nearly two-thirds (63%) of all residents have not conducted a home inventory in the event that property or possessions are destroyed, damaged or lost in a disaster. That number drops only slightly (52%) among those whose homes were damaged last year. Related: Learning from Hurricane Irma: Properly insuring & protecting your business

Protection against contractor fraud and abuse

Another major threat hurricane-prone residents should be familiar with is contractor fraud. In a devastating post-storm situation, unethical practices are common, and it's easy for contractors to take advantage of victims in these desperate situations. PCI warns that, as evidenced by past experiences, some crooked contractors will try to defraud homeowners by taking a full payment upfront and never finishing the work or even creating damage where none existed. Among the study's key findings, PCI concluded that:

• 72% are at least somewhat familiar with the signs of contractor fraud and abuse;
• 14% said they would pay upfront for the rebuilding or repair costs if it meant getting their property fixed more quickly, while 20% said they aren't sure if they would; and
• 10% of residents would accept an unsolicited offer from someone to make repairs to their home; 16% aren't sure if they would.

The major findings from the PCI study can be found in the slideshow. Related: Putting climate change into numbers: Why 300,000 homes are at risk