Hurricane damage in 2024, for collective insured losses, was unusually high, with multiple names hurricanes, including Debby, Francine, Helene and Milton. Insured losses for Helene are estimated to be $10 billion only because many victims did not have insurance for hurricane claims.
Milton’s insurance claims are expected to be $50 – $60 billion.
Insurance can deny or try to underpay hurricane damage claims for businesses and homeowners, leaving both scrambling to pick up the pieces after life-changing storms. Policyholders must know the steps to take to fight for the compensation they deserve.
Are you dealing with flooding, damages or a complete loss after a recent hurricane?
Protective Steps to Take Immediately After the Hurricane
If your home or business was damaged in a hurricane, you’ll want to do a few things to strengthen your claim:
Take Photos of the Damage
Hurricane damage claims rely on you showing damage that was a direct result of a storm. Strengthen your claim by:
- Taking multiple photos of the damage from different angles.
- Recording the damage.
You’ll provide this evidence when filing your claim, which you should do as soon as possible if you haven’t done so already.
Take Steps to Prevent Further Damage
Homeowners have a responsibility to do everything within their power to prevent further damage from occurring. Insurers will not cover additional damage. If a tree fell on your roof and caused damage, putting a tarp over it can help prevent further damage and protect your claim.
Mitigating further damage comes at a cost, and you’ll want to do the following:
- Track all mitigation costs
- Keep copies of all receipts
Submit all of this information to the insurance company because they should reimburse you for these costs, too.
Know Your Policy
Filing insurance claims and dealing with adjusters is intimidating. Often, homeowners have insurance but never dissect their policies until they need to file a claim. Read through your policy to learn:
- How to file a claim.
- What coverage you’re entitled to under your policy.
- What deductibles you need to pay.
Reporting a claim is the next step to take.
Report a Claim to Your Insurer
After a hurricane, especially when damage is widespread, filing a claim as soon as possible is ideal. Thousands of homeowners and businesses will contact insurers and the longer you wait, the slower it will be for an adjuster to come to your home.
You can file a claim over the phone, and in the vast majority of cases, you can file a claim online.
If you can’t find your policy, look online for your insurer and call them to help find your policy number. The insurance company will need your:
- Phone number
- Address you’re staying at
- Explanation of the damages
At this time, let the insurer know that you have photos and video of the damage that you want to send to them. You should take this time to complete a home inventory list of all belongings that were damaged in the hurricane.
Wait for the Insurance Adjuster
Once you’ve reported your claim, an insurance adjuster will come to your home to assess the damage and determine:
- What can be repaired or replaced
- Costs to repair or replace
The adjuster will also review your policy and determine whether the damage is covered and if any deductibles or dollar limits will apply. They may work exclusively for your insurance company, or they may be an independent adjuster who works for several different insurers.
You also have the right to hire a public adjuster on your own. While you will be responsible for the costs of hiring one, a public adjuster will not be tied to your insurance company.
When visiting your home, the adjuster may:
- Take photos and measurements
- Calculate the cost of the damage
- Estimate the cost of repairs
Once the adjuster has a clear picture of the damage, your policy and the cost of repairs, they can offer a settlement.
There’s a good chance that the settlement offer will be lower than you expected. Insurers want to protect their bottom line. They may deny parts of your claim or offer an unfair settlement.
Working with a lawyer will give you an advantage. An experienced lawyer can advise you on whether the settlement offer is fair and if not, handle negotiations on your behalf.
Repair, Rebuild, Replace
The hurricane claims process isn’t complete until you’re able to return home. Once you’ve accepted a fair settlement from the insurance company, the next step is to get started with repairing or rebuilding.
Hiring a reputable, licensed contractor is key. Gather estimates from more than one contractor and the following information:
- Proof of liability insurance
- Proof of worker’s compensation insurance
- Their business license and expiration date
Some states will allow assignments of benefits (AOB). Florida is not one of them, but other hurricane-impacted states do permit AOBs.
An AOB agreement gives your contractor the ability to handle all matters with the insurance company on your behalf. While that sounds convenient, you may lose some or all of your rights by signing this type of agreement, including having a lawsuit filed without your approval.
If you’re offered an AOB, review it carefully. Better yet, consult with a lawyer.
Hire a Lawyer
Filing a hurricane-related claim can be complex and stressful, especially when you’re already dealing with the stress of having to rebuild your life.
Most insurance claims – about 90% – are settled outside of the courtroom, but that doesn’t mean the process isn’t overwhelming and time-consuming.
The insurance company may try to undervalue your claim, or your policy’s language may be unclear – a common tactic insurers use to avoid paying full claims.
Challenges such as these, and many others, can leave homeowners unpaid after a hurricane.
An experienced lawyer can help you navigate the entire claims process from start to finish, including:
- Preparing and filing your claim
- Settlement negotiations
- Bringing in experts to help support your claim
If the insurance company tries to delay the process or deny your claim, your lawyer can help you find the best course of action to get the help you need.
The skilled and knowledgeable attorneys at Keller Swan have experience handling the challenges many homeowners face when filing a hurricane claim.
Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation with a hurricane claims lawyer.