Living in Florida has a lot of positives (hello endless Summer). But with the bounty of warmth and water, we can also experience more than our fair share of storms and hurricanes. Natural disasters can strike at any time—and when they do you need to be prepared to take the appropriate steps to mitigate storm damage, and file an insurance claim for property repairs.
Here are six common mistakes made when filing for storm damage and how you can avoid having your storm damage claim denied, delayed, or underpaid by your insurance company:
1. Waiting to file a claim
The most common (costly) mistake homeowners can make when filing for storm damages is not filing their claim(s) in a timely manner.
Even if your policy says you have more time, don’t delay—this only gives your insurance company more opportunity to undervalue or deny your claim!
Remember, damage doesn’t get better with time. The sooner you file your property claim the sooner repairs can get started and your claims can be paid out.
2. Failure to document
Document. Document. Document.
Document your property and possessions before any damage ever occurs and immediately after as well.
Documenting the damage that has occurred, through a before and after scenario, provides more leverage when it comes to your insurance claim.
To do so:
Make a running inventory of your possessions.
Supplement with photos and videos as physical proof.
Take more photos after a storm or damaging event occurs.
Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words.
Related > Questions to Expect from Your Insurance Company
3. Failing to maintain your property
Insurance pays for unexpected damage, not damage that could have been prevented. When you neglect and/or fail to maintain your property your insurance company may not pay your claim. Policyholders also may deny damage that can’t be verified as caused by a specific storm.
Unfortunately, claims that are filed due to neglect are often denied. Insurance will claim that the damage sustained was not due to the storm but due to your failure to maintain your property.
For example, your roof is old and already leaking. You don't repair it and a storm occurs causing damage. The insurance company will likely try to deny your claim, saying you did not prevent damages and the leak would not have occurred during the storm if you had.
4. Not mitigating the damage
Chances are after a big storm you are not the only homeowner that has sustained property damage. It may take days or weeks before your policyholder’s insurance adjuster comes by your home (a public adjuster may get there sooner after you submit a claim). A public adjuster can also help you submit the claim if you haven’t already done so.
In the meantime, your policy most likely has a provision that states the policyholder is obligated to mitigate the storm damage. For example, if you have received damage to your roof, put up a tarp, or if you have broken windows cover them to keep rainwater and other debris from entering your home. If you do not mitigate your storm damages, you may run the risk of extended damage to your property that your insurance will not cover.
Tip: do not be in a rush to clean up too fast. Before you throw away items that were damaged in the storm, document everything. Keep a paper trail of receipts, repair estimates, photos, etc. until your claim has been resolved to your satisfaction.
5. Accepting the first settlement offered
Never accept the first offer you receive from your insurance company. Why? It may seem like the obvious choice, as you need the money to pay for the repairs, and are probably exhausted from dealing with your insurance. You just want to move on.
This can be a big financial mistake. Although what may look like a reasonable offer upfront, it’s most likely significantly less than what your total storm damages are actually worth.
But how do you negotiate for more money? Hire a public adjuster from Liberty Adjusters!
6. Not hiring a public adjuster
Hiring a public adjuster can pay out on average 3.5 times more than without one. We can work with you at any point of your claim at no cost to you!
At Liberty Adjusters, our job is to help you get the maximum amount that you are entitled from your storm damage claim. We deal directly with the insurance company and handle the entire claims process, alleviating that burden from you.
With our experience and knowledge in how policies are written, we will get you the money that you deserve!
Liberty Adjusters Are On Your Side
You should never try to tackle a storm damage property claim on your own. Liberty Insurance Adjusters is ready to assist you through your claims process. We can help get you the best settlement possible, in an efficient and timely manner. Have your time and energy to be focused on where you need it the most—your home and family.
The next time a storm strikes, contact Liberty Adjusters for a free evaluation. Call us at 813-922-5129 or submit a claim today.