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As the 2025 hurricane season intensifies, the Insurance Association of Jamaica (IAJ) is urging Jamaican property owners, both local and abroad, to urgently reassess their insurance coverage before disaster strikes.

The entity has launched a public education campaign titled 'Real Value. Real Coverage', which comes against the backdrop that approximately only 20 per cent of Jamaica's residential properties are insured. Of those, an estimated 95 per cent are underinsured. This widespread gap leaves thousands of families and businesses exposed to financial devastation in the event of hurricanes, fires, or floods.

"Every year we see the same thing -- policyholders insure their homes or commercial properties based on outdated values and never revisit them," said Rosemarie Henry, IAJ president. "When a hurricane hits, the insurance payout is nowhere near what's needed to rebuild or repair. That gap can devastate lives."

The IAJ described the issue as a 'silent crisis hiding in plain sight'. The entity noted that in communities from St Catherine to St James, stories of underinsurance are not uncommon. After Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 and again following Hurricane Ivan in 2004, many Jamaicans learnt the hard way that their policies didn't reflect the true replacement cost of their homes. The issue is rooted in a widespread misconception: once a property is insured, many believe it remains adequately protected indefinitely. But with inflation, material costs, and property values rising, that assumption can be dangerously flawed.

"Imagine buying insurance 10 years ago, never updating the value, and today your roof is blown off in a Category Four hurricane," said Henry. "The payout won't cover half of what you need to rebuild. That's the reality for too many Jamaicans." Henry cited three steps persons can take.

"Check your policy details and valuation date, get a current professional valuation, and speak with your insurer to update your coverage. These small actions could be the difference between recovery and ruin," she said. For Jamaicans who are unsure about their current coverage, the IAJ urges them to take immediate action.

"The hurricane season doesn't wait for you to get ready," Henry emphasised. "Your policy should reflect today's reality, not yesterday's estimate." Persons can find out more about the campaign on the IAJ's social media accounts.