Documenting Storm Damage

By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy Pixabay

Now that the start of Hurricane Season is only a couple weeks away, I thought I’d take the time to show you how to document storm damage.  When it comes to storms in Florida, it doesn’t take a hurricane to produce damage.  The typical afternoon gully washer packs enough of a punch to knock down trees, strip shingles from roofs and pepper your home with hail.  If your home does sustain storm-related damage, do you know how to document it so you can file a claim?  Do you know what steps to take to make sure you get paid?  Below are some helpful hints designed to give you a leg up after the squall has ended.

      A.     Act quickly by taking photos to document storm damage.  Some insurance companies have a time limit for filing a claim.  So, you need to act promptly when storm damage occurs. This includes documenting uprooted trees, shredded shingles, hail-dimpled siding, cracked or broken windows, saturated furnishings and any other obvious signs of weather-related destruction.  This should include any obvious signs of water damage inside the residence, which occurs from a leaky roof. 

      B.     Be wary of storm chasers who knock on your door a day or two after a storm has passed through the area.  Be especially wary of door-to-door solicitors who claim they can help you file a claim with your insurance company.  Unless the person you speak with is a licensed insurance adjustor, a contractor or roofer has no legal standing to file a claim with your insurance company.  By signing up with an unauthorized representative, you run the risk of jeopardizing your claim.

      C.     Check to be sure you document the dates, time and description of all contacts with your insurance company.  This way if you have any questions or complaints you can refer to your notes when you deal with your insurer.

     

Image courtesy Pixabay

D.    Don’t feel pressured to sign an estimate with a contractor.  It could obligate you to work with a company without having all the facts.  The FTC points out that building contractors should provide you with an agreement that details everything from the start and completion date, to the cost of the repair, as well as the materials to be used.  Only once you have bid the job out and checked out a contractor should you consider signing on the dotted line.  You should also avoid all contractors that ask you to pay for any work up front in cash.

      E.     Every policy is different.  That means you need to review your homeowner’s policy before you submit a claim.  It also helps to keep a copy of your policy handy when you deal with the insurance adjuster so you can refer to it.

      F.      Feel free to clear away debris once you have documented it.  However, you should refrain from discarding damaged items before showing them to the insurance adjuster.  If your homeowner’s association requires you to dispose of these items, be sure to take photos of them to document the damage.

      G.    Generate an inventory of any possessions that were water damaged, including those inside your home.  This includes furnishings, flooring, ceilings, cabinets, carpets and walls, not to mention any personal possessions that were damaged by water intrusion, including electronics. 

      H.    Hire only licensed and insured contractors to perform repair work.  If you hire an unlicensed contractor, not only could it jeopardize the repair, it could also expose you to additional liability should a contractor damage your property or have one of their workers get injured.

Image courtesy flickr

      I.     It doesn’t take a named storm to cause flooding in Florida. If you don’t have flood insurance, the only water damage that will be covered by your homeowner’s policy is that due to water intrusion from a leaky roof, or a broken window. Even if your home isn’t located in a flood zone, you should look into adding flood insurance to your home’s coverage. 

      J.       Just because you filed a claim doesn’t mean you’ll be handed a check on the spot.  Depending on the severity of the storm and the number of claims filed, be prepared to wait awhile.  It could take an insurance company 45-60 days to process your claim, send out an adjuster and cut your check in the aftermath of a named storm. 

      K.    Keep your cool if your premiums go up after you file a claim.  Odds are the costs increased for those who didn’t file a claim as well, particularly after a named storm.  If you’re looking for ways to reduce the cost of your policy, the best thing is to have a conversation with your insurance agent.  There are a number of ways to reduce your premiums without watering down your coverage.

      L.     Legal action isn’t always necessary to resolve a claim issue.  If your claim is denied by an insurer, you have the right to hire an independent insurance adjuster to review your policy and press your claim. 

      M.   Most discrepancies are due to questions of causality.  Was the damage caused by wind or water, hail or lightning?  Was the water damage due to flooding or a leak?  Could the damage have been present before the storm hit?  Only through thorough documentation can you prove where, when and what caused the damage so you can be reimbursed for storm damage.

      N.    Never give up the ghost regarding a claim until all the avenues have been explored.  While it might take a bit longer to get what you’ve got coming to you, it is well worth the time invested.

Catherine Powell is the owner of A Plus All Florida, Insurance in Orange Park, Florida.  To find out more about saving money on your mobile home insurance, check out her website at http://homeownersinsuranceorangeparkfl.com/