Many Canadians are flocking to Florida as cold weather approaches, but with Hurricane Milton barreling toward the state as a Category 5 storm — though expected to make landfall as a Category 4 storm — some north of the border are concerned about property they own in the south.

The latest survey from the National Association of Realtors shows that Canadians top the list of foreign buyers in Florida, accounting for 13 percent, and more than half a million Canadians own property in the state.

But when a hurricane hits, it can be more difficult for them to get help afterwards.

That’s because, according to the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, only U.S. citizens, noncitizens such as those of American Samoa, or qualified noncitizens — those with a green card, those granted asylum, or refugees — are among those covered in this category – can receive disaster assistance.

Given the limitations of disaster relief, here’s what property owners, such as snowbirds, can do to best protect their property and what they should do after the storm leaves.

According to the Canadian Snowbird Association’s online guide, pruning or removing damaged trees and branches, securing gutters and clearing clogged areas or debris, and retrofitting your roof, windows and doors can help limit potential damage.

The association’s online guide also advises people to keep important financial and legal information available at all times, inventory their personal belongings, check their insurance and keep all temporary living expenses receipts if needed for future claims.

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Sonia Bolduc, vice-president of business development at NatBank, a Florida subsidiary of Canada’s National Bank, said mortgage lenders often require storm insurance if you buy a home in the state, on top of regular insurance.

But there are also additional insurance options, because the damage that property owners face may not be caused by just wind or rain.

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“There’s additional insurance they can get if they’re in a flood zone. They can also get flood insurance,” she said. “So if you get the whole package, your property is at least well protected against any financial burden.”

That storm coverage is often provided by the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (CPIC), a state-owned insurer, as part of general home insurance, although there are some private companies that also provide coverage.

Mark Friedlander, director of communications for the Insurance Information Institute in the US, told Global News that buying flood insurance is also a wise choice since it is not part of your existing home insurance policy.

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It is typically awarded through the National Federal Insurance Program. These policies are limited to $250,000 for damage to the home and $100,000 for homeowner’s property – private insurers may be able to offer a little more – but the insurance is important to have.

“To be fully financially protected against catastrophes like hurricanes and other major storms, you need both property insurance and flood insurance,” he said.

Friedlander notes that only 20 percent of Florida homeowners have flood insurance.

He said some are unaware that this is not part of their home insurance, while others decide to take the risk.

However, Friedlander said if you get your insurance through the CPIC, you may need to get separate flood insurance — all policyholders will have to do this starting in 2027.

For those involved, they may face limitations on insurance, he added, adding that if you own property in Florida, you can purchase property and flood insurance.

Once the storm passes, Friedlander encourages filing a claim as soon as possible, but since you will be in Canada during the storm, you have up to a year under Florida state law to file a claim . The sooner you do this, the sooner you can get repairs to your property.

Because Canadians can only stay in the US for six months in a twelve-month period, this can pose problems. That’s why Bolduc said he’s looking into whether there might be third-party services that might be able to come to your home to check on it.

Friedlander added that another alternative is to have a neighbor check and take photos.

“If you can get that service, it’s great peace of mind for you,” Bolduc said.

The CSA recommends taking photos of property damage to assist in making the claim and contacting your insurance company before signing contracts with anyone making repairs and ensuring they are licensed to do business do in the state and be self-insured.

Friedlander warns that if you’re hoping to have insurance replace or repair property or belongings, make sure you purchase it before the storm and do so as early as possible.

Florida has a moratorium that prohibits the purchase or addition of insurance — at least from the state, private insurers may differ — for 30 days after a storm watch or warning is issued.

He also said that once the storm has passed, you can apply for insurance for future coverage, but you should not attempt to file a claim for damages suffered.

“It is considered fraud if you try to make a claim for something that was not covered before your policy went into effect,” Friedlander said.

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