- In the event of damage to your property from a hail or wind storm, hurricane or tornado, there are a series of very important steps to take in order to insure you are covered by your insurance policy. Many insurance companies deny valid claims for storm, tornado, hurricane or hail, and cite normal weathering of the roof surface as the major cause of damage. It is your obligation to document your claim and protect your property from further damages. Below are the steps to protect an insurance claim you may have from a hail, tornado, hurricane or windstorm.
- Secure your family, all important documents and easily accessible possessions.
- Contact family members outside of the affected area to let them know your current situation.
- Inspect the exterior of your house: foundation, windows, walls, siding, roofs including vents, skylights, solar equipment, & satellites, stucco, paint, trim, fascia, gutters, exterior lights, air conditioning unit, planters, patio furniture, decks, grills, play equipment, sheds, pools, & anything that is outside of your property.
- Inspect the interior of your house: ceilings, walls, windows, attics, baseboards, carpets, flooring, closets, clothes, cupboards, & garage.
- Take pictures during and after the hail storm: Document personal and surrounding losses by taking still photos, preferred over video. Take several photos from the front of the house to the back and all around. It is important to take them also at all elevations to ensure that all of the damage is captured and fully documented. Photograph every room and each item that is damaged. After the property is cleaned up and repaired, the insurance company may dispute the extent of the damage and you will need proof.
- Protect against further damage. Insurance companies, unfortunately, are able to deny loss claims if future damages are deemed preventable.
- Continue monitoring news, weather conditions, and take the advice of fire and emergency officials.
- Look into alternative housing if your home is unsafe or presents danger from the damage.
- Read your insurance policy carefully to determine exactly what your policy does and does not cover. For example, if your policy covers water damage but not mold damage, then you will need to emphasize to the insurance adjuster that your carpet is wet, rather than saying it “smells moldy.”
- Report losses to your Public Adjuster and insurance company immediately, documenting every conversation in writing, including the time, date, and topics discussed. The first contact will likely be a telephone call, but follow that up in writing. In some states, you are only entitled to certain legal rights if you notify the insurance company of the claim in writing.
- Hire a Public Adjuster to assist you in your claim. They are very valuable in getting the highest possible settlement and know they tricks the insurance companies play.
- Provide the insurance company with all of the documentation it requests. If you fail to cooperate with the insurance company, you could jeopardize your insurance claim.
- Document all contacts with the insurance company, contractors, and adjusters, including names, telephone numbers and every conversation. It is common for a policyholder to receive conflicting information from the insurance company. The insurance adjuster who says the company will pay for your loss may be overruled at the home office.
- Most importantly, when hiring a Public Adjuster, there is NO fee if there is no recovery.
According to the Florida Legislature’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability-OPPAGA, Policy holders who hired public adjusters (PA) for non-catastrophic claims received 574% more money than those who did not hire a PA. Policy holders who hired public adjusters for Hurricane related claims received 747% more money.