What to Do About Hurricane Damage in Florida

As always, quicker than you realized, hurricane season is upon us. Hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th, and the peak is from August to early October. 

Are you prepared?  Have you gone through your hurricane property insurance policies and know you are covered for your property and that everything is up-to-date? If you are worried about hurricane damage in Florida, do not fear. 

Read on for an overview of what to do when you have hurricane damage in Florida and how to get an insurance payout ASAP. 

Don't Wait Too Long to Submit a Claim

The time to notify your carrier about  a claim after  hurricane damage is changing to two years from the date of the storm, BUT it's better to file sooner rather than later.

Ensure that you get in contact with your insurance company, adjuster, agent or attorney as soon as you possibly can.

You should know where your policies of insurance are located and be mindful of your deductible related to hurricane damage.  

Take Photos Before and After

To provide adequate information to the insurance company if a storm damages your property it is imperative that you document your property with photographs both before the hurricane to show that your property is hurricane-ready, and to take pictures of all your property and possessions.

Anything that can be damaged in a hurricane needs to be photographed and documented. This way when the insurance adjuster comes to inspect your property, you can show them the before and after proof of the damages.  Dates on the photographs if possible is preferable or taking a photo with time stamping apps are simple. 

It will make getting your claims paid much easier. 

Ensure You Have All the Receipts for Repairs 

If you had to move due to hurricane damage, or you had to do some temporary and mitigative repairs so you could protect your property from further rainwater, or potential thieves and vandalism, then make sure you keep all receipts safe and sound for the insurance company for the proof required under most terms of insurance policies. 

An insurance policy will provide coverage to you if you have to use alternate accommodations when your home is damaged by a hurricane.

Have Detailed Information about Your Damaged Possessions 

Ensure you have receipts, pictures, a description of the items, the date of purchase, and any other detail you can think of, for all items that were damaged from the hurricane for your insurance company.

Make it a habit to have all this information for anything you purchase for your home, especially if it's expensive or vulnerable to hurricane damage.

Contact a Property Damage Attorney

You might think that if you and your property have suffered from hurricane damage that your insurance company will pay you without any issues. But that's usually not how it goes. 

Many insurance companies end up undervaluing property claims, or even devaluing, delaying any potential payments and denying them! That's why it's so important for you to have a Florida property damage lawyer on your side. 

WE will be able to fight on your behalf to get fair compensation for you and your damaged properties. 

Hurricane Damage in Florida Is a Real and Foreseeable Issue

Use the tips above to deal with hurricane damage in Florida before and after it happens, and don't forget to contact The Knoerr Law Group.

Our Florida property damage lawyers have been handling first-party claims for residential and commercial property owners for over 45 years combined.