It should go without saying, but you should never put yourself in any danger. We were extremely fortunate to not end up in the direct path of Hurricane Idalia, but there is no telling where, or how strong, Tropical Storm Lee will end up. If you are willing and able to get out of the path of an expected storm, then you should absolutely do so. Property can always be replaced, especially if you take the proper steps, but human life cannot! If you do evacuate to avoid a major storm, you may return to find your various belongings have sustained some damage. So, what can you do to make your storm related claims process easier?
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First things first, photograph everything! It is important to document if anything that was there before is no longer. Or, if your property was damaged because of the storm, you will be expected to prove that claim to be true. Photos of before and after allow you to do exactly that. If for some reason you were unable to or forgot to take photos prior to the storm, that doesn’t mean you can’t file a claim. You may end up requiring some assistance, but that’s where a law firm like Woolsey Morcom can help.
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Equally important, don’t throw away your damaged property unless you absolutely must, and of course, document it before doing so. It may seem like common sense to throw away an item that is ruined, but if you are able to hold onto it until the claims process has run its course, then you should absolutely do so.
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Save or photograph your receipts! Especially on items you purchase to prevent further damage to your property, like a tarp for your damaged roof. It makes it much easier to prove your loss and get reimbursed for any related expenses when filing your claim.
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Inspect to protect! Now you don’t have to risk injury by getting on a wet roof to see if it has been damaged. You can get a general idea of your roof’s condition by backing away from it until it becomes visible to the naked eye. Even if you don’t suspect damage, you should always at least give it the eye test. Walking around your yard is another good way to find signs of roof damage. Broken shingles can be found after high winds. This is a telltale sign of roof damage and any broken shingles you recover should be kept for evidence.
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Don’t wait to make a claim. If you find signs of damage, like broken shingles from your roof, have it checked out by an expert. The longer you wait, the more likely you are to sustain further damage. That can add significant time to the claims process.
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Don’t wait for your roof to start leaking to have it inspected or make a claim (if there are in fact signs of damage). The longer you wait to make your claim the more extensive the repairs needed will be and ultimately it will lengthen the entire claims process.
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If your roof has been damaged, be sure to record the exact or most likely date (to the best of your knowledge) that the damage took place, and when you first discovered the damage. These things can only help you in getting what you’re owed to restore your property to its original state.
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If you do end up needing to file a claim, and it is denied, you should seek assistance. Woolsey Morcom works with top experts, so they are well equipped to assist you in getting your claim processed and approved.
Hurricane season has begun and being legally prepared can be just as important as having the proper supplies. Now that we’ve covered what you can do to make recovering your losses after a storm easier, here is a reminder of the steps you can take to prepare before a storm hits.
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Make sure your insurance policy hasn’t lapsed. Any length of time without coverage is a risk you don’t want to take!
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Review your policy. There may be some causes of damage that you aren’t covered for. You’ll want to make the necessary changes before the storm passes through.
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Be sure to take pictures of your property before a storm comes. It’s much easier to get the proper amount for your claim when you can show its condition prior to the date of loss.
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Most importantly, stay safe! You should always comply with local evacuation orders.
If you need assistance in filing a hurricane claim, our firm is here to guide you through the process. Call us at (904)-638-4235 or contact us HERE for a no cost consultation regarding your storm damage claim. From questions about insurance coverage to free claim reviews, we’ve got you covered. Don’t let the storm catch you off guard!
