Your insurance company has not forgotten about the damages paid out in previous years. Policy owners in effected coastal and hurricane zone areas have seen rate increases year after year to pay for past losses and payouts for property damages. As a result, now is the time for home and property owners to evaluate their property casualty insurance to assure that they are covered in case of storm damage loss. Historically The worst storms form from August through October.
Take photos and make a list of your personal property - Normally your insurance policy has different coverages for property and personal property damages (i.e. clothes, food, furniture). By taking photos or video of both the internal and external property of your house and taking an inventory of the major items will greatly assist any claim against your insurance carrier.
Maintain trees and shrubbery and other outside objects in a safe location - trees and shrubbery branches often become missiles during a storm, and uprooted trees can actually damage roofs and trusses by colliding with houses.
Take photos immediately after the storm of damages - It is critical to take photos to show any immediate damages to property and personal property to disclose the causation factor. In other words, the storm caused the damages. Many times insurance companies will attempt to deny damages.
Keep your important documents and records in a safe place - A small lock box, or hand held file carrier can be transported easily and is a safe way to transport records and documents with you if you are required to evacuate your house.
In case of a Power Outage save all receipts for food, hotels, and other expenses. If you are forced to leave your home hastily by authorities as a result of an approaching storm; make sure you save your out of pocket expenses for spoiled food, hotel stays, and other expenses for having to evacuate your home.
Contact your insurance company immediately after the storm - Don't wait to contact your insurance company to see if you have damages, more then likely the insurance company will be swamped with calls for damages; get inline and contact your insurance carrier to assess your damages.
Keep time for how long it takes you to clean-up. It may reimbursable. - Take notes on all the hours and expenditures you have for your clean-up efforts.
Record the name and date of the insurance adjuster that visited your home. - It is critical when an insurance adjuster visits your home that they have the correct licenses and general liability coverages required for your state.
Make sure you are given a claim number by the insurance company - Once you contact your insurance company ask them for a claim number and note the time and date of your call and if possible the person you spoke with on the phone. Note every call you make to the insurance company regarding your claim.
Do not sign any documents that say 'release' - Do not sign any releases on your claim. Depending on your state statutes, you may have several years to report a claim for damages.
If you feel you have been underpaid on your claim contact an attorney that specializes in first party contract claims. Insurance companies are in business because they take in more then they pay out, and the first pass of reimbursement for damages may not amount to what you are due under the policy for final damages as a result of your loss.
If you receive a check, go ahead and deposit it as long as you do not sign any releases on your claim.
Take photos and make a list of your personal property - Normally your insurance policy has different coverages for property and personal property damages (i.e. clothes, food, furniture). By taking photos or video of both the internal and external property of your house and taking an inventory of the major items will greatly assist any claim against your insurance carrier.
Maintain trees and shrubbery and other outside objects in a safe location - trees and shrubbery branches often become missiles during a storm, and uprooted trees can actually damage roofs and trusses by colliding with houses.
Take photos immediately after the storm of damages - It is critical to take photos to show any immediate damages to property and personal property to disclose the causation factor. In other words, the storm caused the damages. Many times insurance companies will attempt to deny damages.
Keep your important documents and records in a safe place - A small lock box, or hand held file carrier can be transported easily and is a safe way to transport records and documents with you if you are required to evacuate your house.
In case of a Power Outage save all receipts for food, hotels, and other expenses. If you are forced to leave your home hastily by authorities as a result of an approaching storm; make sure you save your out of pocket expenses for spoiled food, hotel stays, and other expenses for having to evacuate your home.
Contact your insurance company immediately after the storm - Don't wait to contact your insurance company to see if you have damages, more then likely the insurance company will be swamped with calls for damages; get inline and contact your insurance carrier to assess your damages.
Keep time for how long it takes you to clean-up. It may reimbursable. - Take notes on all the hours and expenditures you have for your clean-up efforts.
Record the name and date of the insurance adjuster that visited your home. - It is critical when an insurance adjuster visits your home that they have the correct licenses and general liability coverages required for your state.
Make sure you are given a claim number by the insurance company - Once you contact your insurance company ask them for a claim number and note the time and date of your call and if possible the person you spoke with on the phone. Note every call you make to the insurance company regarding your claim.
Do not sign any documents that say 'release' - Do not sign any releases on your claim. Depending on your state statutes, you may have several years to report a claim for damages.
If you feel you have been underpaid on your claim contact an attorney that specializes in first party contract claims. Insurance companies are in business because they take in more then they pay out, and the first pass of reimbursement for damages may not amount to what you are due under the policy for final damages as a result of your loss.
If you receive a check, go ahead and deposit it as long as you do not sign any releases on your claim.
About the Author:
Do you have hurricane damage call Lawyer Chris Lim at (800) 979-1937 or visit the website at Hurricane Attorney. You can also contact AIM Law Group for help with Hurricane insurance claims. Laws vary by state please consult a local attorney. Our Internet Advertising Agency is Net Advertising Group
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