Hurricanes and storm damage in Florida can be quite destructive. Most home and business owners throughout the state are aware that these forces of nature could bring catastrophic damage, which is why they take the precaution of purchasing property insurance to cover any potential damage.
Even though it may be seem obvious to policyholders that their building or property was damaged from a hurricane or tropical storm, insurance adjusters may try to argue that fact. That is why it is important to understand the steps you can take to help make sure your claim get approved smoothly:
- Document your damages. Take before photos and then after photos of anything damaged to show to the adjuster. Include close-up photos that detail the damage. This can be very important when it comes to dents in roofs and siding.
- Keep your receipts for your home furnishings, business supplies, equipment and inventory. Try and locate your receipts that may have gotten wet or damaged during the storm and dry them out. Keep in mind that it is a good idea to keep an electronic inventory log for these very purposes. Be aware that insurance adjusters are professionals at undervaluing the cost of your damaged goods – it is their job to lowball.
- Never assume that your home or property survived a storm without damage just based on looks. Some messes just clean up well. Hire a professional, certified inspector. High winds, hail damage, etc. can sometimes take a year or more to show up in the form of a slow water leak, electrical problems and even structural loss.
- File your claim as soon as possible after hurricane or storm damage. If you delay, that just gives the insurance company more fuel to justify denying, delaying or undervaluing claims.
Our Hernando County Hurricane & Storm Damage Lawyers at Whittel & Melton aggressively protect the rights of insurance policyholders in Spring Hill, Brooksville, Weeki Wachee, Hernando Beach and Pine Island. If you are facing a denied or undervalued claim or even a bad faith insurance practice, call us today at 352-666-6666 or contact us online for a free consultation.