Hurricane season is here. While it hasn’t been a busy one in Florida so far, that could change soon. 

You need to be prepared, but preparation comes in many forms. 

You know hurricane supplies are a necessity, but do you truly know what that means? Do you have a plan for the worst-case scenario? 

For example, if hurricane damage destroys a car you’re still making payments on, do you know what steps to take so a totaled car doesn’t empty your pockets?

A major hurricane can cause billions of dollars worth of damage to an impacted area. Even a small hurricane can wreck you physically, emotionally, and financially. 

At Achieva, we want you prepared and protected not just for this hurricane season, but for ones in the future, too. 

Here’s what you need to know to prepare for the 2025 hurricane season and beyond. 

The Hurricane Sales Tax Holiday Has Changed for 2025

The Hurricane Sales Tax Holiday changes for 2025 are similar to those of the Back-To-School Tax Holiday. 

In past years, Florida residents were only able to grab hurricane items tax-free on specialized tax holidays. In July 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a permanent sales tax exemption for a select group of hurricane supplies. 

The new policy went into effect on August 1, making it easier to stay prepared year-round. 

A List of Tax-Free Hurricane Supplies

Here’s a list of the old and new hurricane supplies that are now permanently tax-free.

Batteries

Select groups of batteries made the list. They include the AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, and 9-volt battery types.

Fuel and Power

Portable gas or diesel fuel cans with a capacity of up to five gallons are tax-exempt. The same goes for portable generators capable of producing 10,000 running watts or less. 

Protectants

Fire extinguishers and life jackets are included in the list. Also included are insect repellent and sunscreens. Sunscreen products particularly focused on absorbing, reflecting, or scattering ultraviolet radiation are tax-exempt. If the products aren’t focused on those features specifically, they won’t be exempt. 

Tarps

Last but not least, flexible waterproof tarps and sheeting that are 1,000 square feet or less are tax-exempt. 

You can read the full list here.

Hurricane Preparation Extends Beyond Supplies 

Now that you’ve gathered your necessary hurricane supplies, let’s talk about protecting your bigger assets like your car and your home. Making sure you’re adequately covered in both of these areas should also be a key aspect of your hurricane preparations.

Why You Need Auto GAP Insurance Coverage

Guaranteed Asset Protection (aka GAP) insurance covers the difference between what’s owed on a car loan and what the insurance company pays if a car is stolen or totaled. That emphasis on the word “totaled” is key for hurricane damage protection. 

In October 2024, CARFAX estimated hurricane floods damaged roughly 347,000 vehicles across the country. Hurricane Milton itself damaged as many as 120,000 vehicles in Florida. It was the most cars damaged since Hurricane Ian in 2022, which ruined around 358,000 across several states. 

All of that to say, having GAP insurance coverage should be a top priority for protection against hurricane damage. 

These are the top three things to look for to determine if you’re in the right demographic for GAP insurance:

• You made a 20% or less down payment on your car or vehicle
• You have an auto financing term of at least 5 years or longer
• You have rolled over negative equity from a previous car loan

Achieva provides free GAP insurance coverage, valued at $449, with all eligible Achieva auto loans. 

Already have a loan? Not a problem. 

You might be paying too much on your current car loan, which means we may be able to offer you a better deal! If you refinance your auto loan with Achieva, you could lower your interest rate or reduce your monthly payment, making your vehicle more affordable and give you more peace of mind with guaranteed protection. 

Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Hurricane Damage?

With your vehicle safety covered, let’s talk about your home. You’ve likely already done a great job of checking the necessary boxes to protect yourself during hurricane season. 

You’ve kept yourself aware of state-level changes, you’ve stocked up on the necessary items, and you’re positive the insurance you carry will protect you in case anything goes awry. 

Unfortunately, too many people find out the hard way that that last sentence may not be true. 

If you’re a homeowner or a renter, it’s likely you have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. Many people believe those insurance packages are enough to cover their losses in the event of a hurricane. 

They would be wrong. 

Standard homeowner’s insurance typically protects you from other types of weather damage like hail, sleet, ice, and wind damage. The wind damage protection is particularly important for both, as hurricanes can do significant damage to roofs and structures thanks to the very-high winds and wind gusts. Renter’s insurance is mostly the same in this regard, as well.

However, neither of those protects you from flood damage. For that, you’ll need an additional plan. 

Get Covered with Achieva Insurance Agency

Achieva is more than equipped to help you on that front with Achieva Insurance Agency. 

Achieva Insurance Agency is capable of offering extensive coverage for your home, car, business, and more. Our team can provide professional advice and help to assure your property is properly insured against hurricanes, floods, and more. 

Call us today at 888.351.4672 or Request a Quote online, so we can help protect you not only for this hurricane season, but the ones in years to come!

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