Homeowners and business have many issues to address after a hurricane. In the aftermath of a storm, it is important to take steps that will help you receive appropriate compensation from your insurance company. The following are good rules of thumb in preparing your insurance claim. Even with diligent efforts on your behalf, you may find your insurance company reluctant to offer compensation sufficient to cover repairs. Taking the following steps will also help your hurricane damage attorney negotiate on you behalf.
- Do no harm. Don’t risk bodily injury by going out on the roof or wading through knee-high water in your basement. Instead call for emergency help from your police or fire department.
- Contact your insurer. Storm forecasts give insurance companies enough notice that many will have systems in place for helping customers with claims. Try checking online before you call the company’s 800 number. Allstate, State Farm and Geico are known to offer similar services.
- Document the loss. Take pictures and make notes briefly describing what happened. Due to call volume, it may take a while to reach a claims adjuster. These notes will help your attorney if the insurance company disputes whether a particular loss is covered. Most homeowners policies don’t cover floods, and damage caused by a hurricane is often flood related.
- Minimize damage. Spread wet items on absorbent paper towels or on wire racks. Unpack the contents of cartons that got wet. Use fans to promote circulation and combat mildew. If you have lost power, keep the refrigerator door closed to reduce the chance that food will spoil.
- Arrange for repairs. Contact your insurance company first, or immediately find someone to fix the damage, depending if repair would be considered an emergency.
- Keep receipts. Insurance companies won’t expect receipts fr damages goods, but they do want to know what you spent as a result of the loss. If your policy covers evacuation expenses, like hotel, transportation, meals and clothing expenses, keep detailed records of what you shelled out. They expect you to be reasonable, just as you’re hoping they will be in processing your claim.
South Carolina Hurricane Damage Claim Disputes
When a hurricane strikes, the insurance adjusters respond quickly. Unfortunately, they rarely offer the amounts need for repair or replacement. Call the Clore Law Group is you have hurricane damage and they insurance company is not offering you an appropriate settlement.
