Hurricane Damage Claims: 5 Steps

Jodat Law Group explains the steps to take for filing Hurricane Damage Claims in Florida.

1. List Everything That Was Damaged by the Storm

After you are hit by a hurricane or tropical storm, it’s important to figure out everything that was damaged to present to the insurance company. Make a list of everything damaged on your property, from your roof to your automobiles, to your windows and lanai. Your insurance company will typically send out an adjuster to survey the damage to your home, and you will want to have a list of all items for them to review. This will ensure you get the maximum value for your hurricane damage claims.

2. Take Photos and Videos of the Damage

It’s important to have documentation of every damaged item or section of your home to provide proof and details to your insurance company. The more information the insurance company and adjuster have, the more prepared they are to account for everything that was damaged. This also creates an accurate depiction of the damage done, thus creating a more effective scenario to receive the maximum compensation due from your insurance company.

3. Contact Your Insurance Company to Report the Damage

After preparing your list of damages and taking photos, contact your insurance company right away. Acting quickly at a time when many people may be in a similar situation will help speed up the claims process. The sooner you contact your insurance, the sooner they can send an adjuster out to your home to assess the property damage.

4. Review Your Insurance Policy

You will be better prepared in the process with your insurance company if you know what your policy covers. In many cases, it’s better to know the hurricane portion of your policy in advance so you can prepare for future storms accordingly, or so you can make sure you have adequate coverage. Self-educating before working with the insurance company will result in a better outcome for your case.

5. Consider Contacting a Hurricane Damage Claims Lawyer

The last thing you want after a storm damaging your home is an insurance company that refuses to pay for the damage or low balls your claim. When this happens, an aggressive, local, experienced attorney can stand by your side to fight the insurance company for the compensation you deserve. It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to try and find ways to pay as little as possible to you, and hurricane damage claims lawyers know exactly how to counter this issue. If you need an attorney to get the maximum compensation for your claims, contact Jodat Law Group and receive a Free Case Evaluation.