HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS AND PROPERLY DAMAGE CLAIMS

The number of named storms in the United States in 2021 was 21, which was the third-highest number ever. Seven of those extreme weather occurrences—became half of the year’s record-breaking 14 hurricanes. The cost of the damage from Hurricane Ida, 2021’s costliest storm, was over $65 billion, and 87 people died as a result. Flooding, storm surge, winds, and rain can all cause serious damage to your house or place of business. Submitting a property damage claims and getting the compensation you deserve is paramount in these moments.

Unfortunately, insurance firms will use a variety of strategies to reject or undervalue your claim without giving you a good reason. Insurance claims for hurricane damage can be challenging since they sometimes involve many policies (such as ordinary home insurance and flood insurance), with one insurance company shifting liability to the other.

Fortunately, there are steps you can do to assist prevent storm damage to your family, home, or place of business. An expert lawyer on your side can assist you in obtaining the compensation you are deserve in the event of a property damage issue.

The Fischetti Law Group in Boynton Beach, Florida, is aware of your frustrations and is available to assist you with a property damage claims that has been unjustly postponed, denied, or underpaid due to weather-related incidences, such as hurricanes. We will do all we can to assist you in obtaining justice so that you can focus on repairing and recovering from any type of storm devastation.

Your entire house (and life) can be in utter disarray after a hurricane. Probably the last thing on your mind will be paperwork. Unfortunately, making a successful hurricane property damage claims depends on having the appropriate documents. It’s therefore advisable to organize your affairs before the storm so that you are ready if something should happen.

To make sure your property is safeguarded, we have created a useful hurricane checklist that outlines preventative measures you may take before, during, and after a natural disaster. It is always a good idea to be prepared, even if you are not currently under a hurricane threat or dealing with an insurance claim for storm damage.

Many homeowners don’t know much about their insurance policies, but many consider buying insurance as a task to cross off their list. We all lead busy lives, but if you ever need to file a  property damage claims, this could work against you severely. To be safe, we advise you to take the following actions to make sure you’re ready in the event of a storm:

– Read your policy and keep it with you:

To learn what damages are and are not within your policy, you need to educate yourself about it. To ensure that you will receive reimbursement for damages in the event of a hurricane, you may need to make changes to your policy. Carry your insurance card with you at all times.

– Take pictures:

Since it’s difficult to demonstrate the level of damage while things are in disarray, it’s crucial to take pictures and videos of the state of your property inside and outside, as well as, any priceless belongings, invoices, and receipts. It will be beneficial to always have before and after just in case there are damages of any kind after the storm passes. Also, keep an up-to-date “contents inventory” list: This is a list of all the items in your home, condo, apartment, or business.

– Report the claim early:

Reporting a timely property insurance claim is often a requirement of your policy of insurance but before you pick up the phone to report your loss, give your lawyer a call to get your damage claims.

You will need to take action as soon as you get back to your property if a hurricane hits. Making preparations in advance will give you the chance to make sure that any damage to your home will be covered. Be ready to do the following:

– Prevent further damage to your home after the storm:

After the storm, protect your home from additional damage. You are accountable for this as a policyholder. To stop additional water damage, for instance, if your roof is blown off, it should be covered with a tarp.

– Make any repairs necessary to prevent further damage:

Make whatever repairs are required to stop additional damage. Hire a professional who is insured and licensed, for instance, to pump the water out of your home if it has flooded. Just remember to save the receipt!

– Take pictures and videos of all damages to your property:

A picture is worth a thousand words. After the storm has completely passed and it’s safe to do so, document the state of your property inside and outside, your assets/belongings, and the damages as much as possible.

– Don’t discard the evidence:

Make sure to save significant evidence during cleaning up. For example, if your roof becomes damaged during a storm, document your damaged roof and save the blown-off roof tiles for proof purposes.