Steps to Protect your Assets if a Hurricane Aproaches

Your insurance company has not forgotten about the damages paid out in previous years. Policy owners in effected coastal and hurricane zone areas have seen rate increases year after year to pay for past losses and payouts for property damages. As a result, now is the time for home and property owners to evaluate their property casualty insurance to assure that they are covered in case of storm damage loss. Historically The worst storms form from August through October.

(1) Take photos and make a list of your personal property - A photograph is worth a thousand words. Take as many photos as possible of your personal items, and your home to assure that the insurance company can see the state of your home prior to the storm.

Be ware of Shrubbery and Trees - Make sure you keep them maintained. trees and shrubbery branches often become trajectories during a storm. They can be a danger to your house and your neighbors.

Video and Photograph the property right after the storm. It is critical to take photos to show any immediate damages to property and personal property to disclose the causation factor. If you end up in an eventual dispute with your insurance company regarding damages the photos and videos you take right after the storm are normally your best evidence to show that damages occurred.

Keep your important documents and records in a safe place - A small lock box, or hand held file carrier can be transported easily and is a safe way to transport records and documents with you if you are required to evacuate your house.

In case of a Power Outage save all receipts for food, hotels, and other expenses. If you are forced to leave your home hastily by authorities as a result of an approaching storm; make sure you save your out of pocket expenses for spoiled food, hotel stays, and other expenses for having to evacuate your home.

Contact your insurance company immediately after the storm - Don't wait to contact your insurance company to see if you have damages, more then likely the insurance company will be swamped with calls for damages; get inline and contact your insurance carrier to assess your damages.

Keep time for how long it takes you to clean-up. It may reimbursable. - Keep a small notebook and write down your daily expenses for being out of your home. Things such as hotel, gas, and even food receipts may be reimbursable under your policy.

Record the name and date of the insurance adjuster that visited your home. - Your insurance company has an affirmitive duty to record dates and times of calls regarding your case. But guess what ? They rarely track as closely as they should. Your evidence that you contacted and informed them of your damages may become a key issue in case their is a dispute regarding your damages.

Make sure you are given a claim number by the insurance company - Once you contact your insurance company ask them for a claim number and note the time and date of your call and if possible the person you spoke with on the phone. Note every call you make to the insurance company regarding your claim.

(10) Do not sign any contracts or documents that say 'release' - If your insurance company ask you to sign a release with a check- don't do it ! Damages can sometimes manifest themselves months after your loss. It is important you realize that you may have latent damages to your home that may not be outwardly visible in the hours and days right after the storm.

If you feel you have been underpaid on your claim contact an attorney that specializes in first party contract claims. Insurance companies are in business because they take in more then they pay out, and the first pass of reimbursement for damages may not amount to what you are due under the policy for final damages as a result of your loss.

If you feel you have been underpaid on your claim contact an attorney, your insurance commissioner, or even a public adjuster if your state allows that specializes in first party contract claims. Insurance companies are in business because they take in more then they pay out, and the first pass of reimbursement for damages may not amount to what you are due under the policy for final damages as a result of your loss.

Article Source: http://www.articlegoldmine.com

Do you have hurricane damage call Atty Chris Lim at (800) 979-1937 or visit the website find out more about your Hurrican insurance claim

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