Hurricane Season and Your Hilton Head Closing

Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Most years pass without a direct hit on Hilton Head, but the season still shapes how coastal purchases close.

Why insurance timing matters

When a tropical storm or hurricane threatens the coast, insurers often pause new policies in the affected area. That pause is sometimes called a binding moratorium. If your closing falls inside one and your policy isn't already bound, your lender can't fund the loan until the pause lifts.

How to plan around it

• Get insurance quotes during your inspection period. Wind and flood coverage can take longer to price than a standard homeowner's policy.
• Bind the policy early. Once you have a quote you're happy with, bind it well ahead of closing.
• Keep the closing date flexible. A few days of room in the contract can save stress if a storm forms.

Flood and wind are often separate

Many coastal homes need a separate wind policy and a flood policy on top of a standard homeowner's policy. Ask for all three numbers before you commit. They can change the true monthly cost of a house more than a small difference in price.

If you're buying during the season, we'll put insurance at the top of the checklist so nothing surprises you in the final week.