It’s officially hurricane season, and the effects can be felt all over the east coast. If it’s not a full-fledged hurricane, it’s a tropical storm or just wind and rain in general. Although the impact of severe weather is somewhat predictable, what’s not predictable is just how intense it will become once it reaches your neighborhood. As a Floridian, I have seen firsthand the devastation that a hurricane can have on homes, businesses, and entire communities. The last thing anyone wants to deal with is getting hassled by insurance companies that don’t want to pay to get your home back to its original state. This blog will provide some tips on how to prepare, and what to do in the aftermath of a hurricane.
Preparation is Key
Whether you decide to brave the storm, or evacuate (for the record: please, do), you should always prepare your home to minimize potential damage to protect yourself and the things you care about. You should create an emergency kit with things like shelf-stable food, fresh water, first aid, flashlights, batteries, and any important documents. This kit will come in handy in case basic services are not available.
To minimize property damage, there are several ways to protect your home and vehicles. If you’re able, don’t park the car under any large trees or branches, and try to park on elevated pavement. Secure your doors and windows with shutters, duct tape, or plywood. You may not have time to do this in an emergency, but do your best to keep your trees trimmed to reduce potential debris. Finally, locate and review your insurance policy. After a hurricane, you will probably need to use it.
What to Do After the Hurricane
After the hurricane has finally passed, you’re likely anxious to get things back to normal. It’s important to take a breather and make sure you’re safe from flooding and have access to utilities. Now it’s time to assess the damage for your insurance claim. Insurance companies expect this to happen quickly after a hurricane, so reviewing your insurance policy may give you ideas on what to look out for.
Take photos and videos of the damage and make a list of everything that has been affected. Be as thorough as possible. You can mitigate further damage by covering broken windows or placing tarps over roof damage. It may be tempting to start cleaning up and throwing everything away, but you may need to wait for an adjuster to get a chance to professionally assess the damage and provide their report.
Once you have all the necessary information, it’s time to call your insurance company to make your claim. They will ask you questions about your property’s condition and for any supporting documents. Unfortunately, you can also expect your insurance company to attempt to minimize the damages to reduce their payout; but we won’t let them do that.
You’ve come this far and survived a natural disaster, so you deserve to be awarded the full value of your property damages. With so much on the line, it’s normal to be nervous and unsure when your insurance company isn’t cooperative. Our firm is here to help you navigate the claims process after a hurricane, tropical storm, or accident. We can help you get the best possible payout for your claim and enable you to start the recovery process. For a free consultation, call the firm of Ashley Armstrong at 850-977-3229.
The Law Office of Attorney Ashley M. Armstrong, PLLC
Latest posts by The Law Office of Attorney Ashley M. Armstrong, PLLC (see all)
- Why Florida Drivers Should Open a PIP Claim After an Accident - November 15, 2023
