When disasters like hurricanes hit, people are often left with a host of problems to deal with.
Storms can be mentally and emotionally taxing on the people who are affected.
Worrying about family members, pets, property and evacuation plans can take a huge toll on anyone.
But if you’ve sustained storm damage, you will need to manage your insurance claim to ensure that you are able to receive your insurance payment to rebuild from the damage.
Here is a list of tips to make the insurance claims process as easy as possible.
You have a lot on your plate, hopefully, this mini-guide will help simplify the insurance process and relieve some stress.
1) Don’t wait! Chances are your insurance policy has a time limit on how long you have to file your claim, so it’s important to get the ball rolling. Insurance companies are very busy after several big storms hit. Don’t get caught in the backlog of claims waiting to be processed; get your claim in ASAP.
2) Don’t be tempted to hire the first contractor you can find to start repairs. After a storm, there are many fly-by-night contractors who are trying to make a quick buck off of those victimized by the storm
It’s also common for residents affected by a storm to want to get back to normal as soon as possible, leading them to hire someone quickly and without taking the time to compare contractors or check references. Resist the urge to be reactionary in your decision making.
It’s important to make sure that any repairs you seek to do are handled by a licensed and insured professional. Also, be sure to keep copies of any quotes or invoices for insurance purposes.
3) Get help if you need it. Your insurance company’s goal is to avoid paying out for claims as often as possible.
The insurance adjuster might not evaluate the cost of repairing the damage in the same way you or your qualified contractor might.
If you feel like the insurance company is trying to “low-ball” you, or pressure you into signing on to a settlement quickly, don’t feel pressured to accept the offer, especially if you aren’t sure whether the company is following the terms of the policy.
Insurance policies are complicated legal documents and insurance adjusters are professional negotiators. If you need help advocating for yourself after the storm, don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Contact Us
We here at FL Legal Group are dedicated Tampa insurance claim attorneys who strive to help Floridians recover from the devastation of storm damage.
If you have questions about your insurance policy, or you need a hand with advocating for yourself against your insurance company, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1-800-984-9951 or contact us online.
Best of luck as we move forward together from this tumultuous storm season.