Navigating Home Insurance Claims in Tallahassee
While hurricane season technically runs from June through November, September has the highest number of hurricanes yearly.
Everyone who has lived in Florida knows how to batten the hatches: board up windows, bring patio furniture inside, and ensure you have water and flashlights.
But do you know what to do if your home is damaged by a storm? Navigating home insurance claims can be challenging. Here are some tips to help maximize your claim and restore your home as quickly as possible.
We’re going to focus on storm damage but these tips can apply to any damage to your home requiring an insurance claim.
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Safety First
After the storm passes, make sure you and your family are safe. Check for downed power lines, and if you see any, report them immediately. Watch out for debris like broken glass and boards. If you have large limbs or trees down, make sure they’re stable. Boil all drinking water if advised. If your area was badly hit, you may need to evacuate. Be careful and aware, and help your neighbors as you can.
Navigating Home Insurance Claims: Catalog the Damage
Before any home insurance claim you want to catolog the damage done and items lost. This starts before the damage occurs by keeping good records of your home, its contents and any improvements. Keep these records online or in a waterproof safe.
Records to keep:
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- Pictures of your home inside and out before any damage
- Update pictures after any home improvements
- Include pictures of cars, boats and outbuildings
- Receipts for major purchases (TVs, computers, expensive furniture etc…)
- Receipts for any major improvements
Hurricanes can cause a lot of different types of damage to your home and property. It’s important to have a thorough record for your insurance company. Types of damage may include
Catalog Any Damage
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- Roof damage: shingles blown off, tree limbs causing holes, sections of roof missing
- Interior damage: water damage from broken windows and doors or a leaking roof, damage to furniture or flooring
- Flood damage, inside and outside
- Equipment damage: damage to pool machinery, HVAC units, etc
- Foundation damage: cracks or shifts
- Structural damage: walls broken or missing, damage due to trees falling
Assuming it’s safe to do so, start cataloging the damage to your home and property. Take a lot of photos and videos from many angles. Write down the damage you see, as well. Begin writing a list of ruined possessions. You will need all of this when dealing with your insurance company.
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File A Home Insurance Claim
If your home or property sustained damage, it’s time to let your insurance company know. After hurricanes, insurance companies are inundated with claims, so keep in mind that it may take longer than usual for them to get to yours.
File your home insurance claim as soon as possible and get the process started. Keep in mind that if your home is flooded, you may need to file a claim with your flood insurance instead of home insurance.
If your vehicle was damaged, call your car insurance company as well.
Ask your insurance company any questions you have and take notes on what they say. Some questions include:
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- Is there anything specific you want me to document?
- How long do you expect this process to take?
- What coverage do I have?
- What are my next steps?
- Is there anything else I need to do?
Prevent Further Damage
After making sure you have plenty of photos and videos, you need to take steps to prevent further damage to your property. If you can, mop up water or dry out your home with a shop vac.
Run a dehumidifier if you have one (and have electricity). Clean up broken glass. Cover your roof with tarps and board up broken windows. Use the shut-off valves for water, natural gas, and electricity if necessary. Do any temporary repairs needed to prevent your property from more damage and take pictures of all of it.
Consider Hiring a Public Adjuster
An adjuster is someone who investigates an insurance claim and ultimately determines how much money you are owed. There are three types of adjusters commonly used in these types of situations: staff, independent, and public.
Staff and independent adjusters work for the insurance company. One is on salary and the other hire as an independent contractor.
A public adjsuter is an independent adjuster works for you. They help you maximize your insurance claim. The do not charge a fee, instead they get paid 5 to 10% of the claim amount.
It’s not uncommon for a public adjuster to double or every triple the amount you get from the insurance company for a a major claim.
While insurance companies are supposed to “make you whole,” meaning reimburse you for the damages to your home and property, enough so that you’re back to where you started before the damage, they are notorious for only paying 25-30% of the actual cost of repairs. A public adjuster can help, working on your behalf to maximize your claim. A report from the OPPAGA (Florida’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability) stated that public adjusters get clients over 700% more on average than clients would have received otherwise.
How can you find a reputable public adjuster? Ask around for a referral from friends and family, or use the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) to locate one in your area.
Keep Documenting Everything
As you wait for your claim to be processed, keep records of everything. If your home is uninhabitable and you need to stay in a hotel, keep those receipts. Meal purchases, supplies like tarps and dehumidifiers, and even laundromat payments may qualify for reimbursement. Keep a file with all paperwork, receipts, notes from conversations with contractors and your insurance company, and anything else related to your case.
Hire a Contractor
Beware of scammers who come into town to prey on those who have sustained damage after a storm. You need to find a contractor you can trust to repair and restore your home. If you need to know what questions to ask, read this article, or this one. It’s always good if you can get a referral from someone you trust who was happy with the work their contractor did.
Call Us For Help
McManus Kitchen and Bath has been serving Tallahassee homeowners for over twenty years and we have the integrity, knowledge, and skill required to make your home a haven again.
We know the area, the vendors, the subcontractors who do great work, and what’s required to get you back into your home again. Contact us and let us help you today. Stay safe, Tallahassee!
