The beauty of Florida’s tropical climate comes with its challenges. Across the state and coastal cities like St. Petersburg, hurricanes, windstorms, and heavy rains wreak havoc on homes. Once the storm passes, homeowners’ insurance claims become critical. But not every claim is smooth sailing; many are underpaid, delayed, or outright denied.
How to Storm-Proof Your Homeowners Insurance Claim and Make Sure You’re Prepared When the Next Florida Storm Strikes
Document Before the Damage
Preparation starts long before the storm. Make sure you have clear, dated photos and videos of the inside and outside of your home. Concentrate on the roof, walls, windows, floors, appliances, and major systems. This type of visual inventory is critical proof of the pre-storm condition of your home, making it easier to show what has changed after an occurrence of damage.
Keep Records of Maintenance and Upgrades
Insurance companies are likely to ask you about the condition of your roof, plumbing, or electrical system before they approve any storm-related claims. Hang on to receipts and documents pertaining to repairs, upgrades, or professional maintenance. These records help support your position that the damage was truly caused by the storm and not normal wear and tear.
Act Quickly After the Storm
As soon as the storm clouds lift and it is safe, inspect your property. Right after that, take new pictures and videos of whatever damage has ensued. Document everything, even if it seems minor. Next, reach out to your insurance company immediately to begin the claims process. Dilly-dallying could give rise to some complications resulting in potential denials.
Prevent Further Damage
Most policies require homeowners to mitigate further losses due to storm damage. This means having tarps on the roof, boarding up windows, and shutting off water to a leaking pipe, to name just a few. If you do not act fast, it could ruin your claim. Save all receipts for emergency repairs/materials.
Review Your Policy and Deductibles
Prior to the start of the storm season, review your policy, especially the hurricane or windstorm deductible. That deductible is frequently a percentage amount of your home’s insured value as opposed to a dollar amount. Know what your policy covers (and what it does not), such as flood damage, temporary housing costs, and upgrades needed to meet new building codes.
This post was written by Kelly-Ann Jenkins of https://www.jenkinslawpl.com/. Kelly-Ann is an insurance claim Lawyer. The information on this site is not intended to and does not offer legal advice, legal recommendations, or legal representation on any matter. Hiring an attorney is an important decision that should not be based on advertising. You need to consult an attorney for legal advice regarding your situation.
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