hurricane insured tips should assist you as storms approach

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.

(3) Take photos immediately after the storm of damages - It is critical to take photos to show any immediate damages to property and personal property to disclose the causation factor. In other words, the storm caused the damages. Many times insurance companies will attempt to deny damages.

Keep your important documents in a safe place - Make sure you have birth certificates, auto titles, deeds, financial documents, and any other important documents. A small lock box, or hand held file carrier can be transported easily and is a safe way to transport documents with you if you are required to evacuate your home.

If you lose power, save all receipts for food, hotels, and other expenses - Often you may be forced to vacate your house quickly with a pending storm. From the time you leave your house, until your return, your insurance company is responsible for your out of pocket expenses for spoiled food, hotel stays, and other expenses for having to leave 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. - It is critical when an insurance adjuster visits your home that they have the correct licenses and general liability coverages required for your state.

Make sure the insurance company gives you a claim number - 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. Keep track of every conversation and keep notes.

(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 a Lawyer, 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

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 at Hurrican Attorney.

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