As Hurricane Milton barrels toward the coast, it’s critical to prepare not just your home but also your insurance claim strategy. Far too often, homeowners are blindsided by denied claims or lowball settlements because they didn’t take the necessary steps before the storm hit. Don’t let that happen to you! Here are five essential tips from my e-book, How Not to Get Screwed Over by Your Insurance Company, to help you get ahead of the game and ensure your insurance claim is as strong as possible.
1. Review and Understand Your Hurricane Insurance Policy
Hurricane insurance policies can be filled with exclusions, limitations, and clauses that aren’t always easy to understand. Take a few minutes to sit down and review your policy, focusing specifically on:
Hurricane and Windstorm Deductibles: Know exactly what your hurricane deductible is and how it will be applied. Many homeowners are surprised when their deductible is significantly higher for hurricane-related claims.
Flood Exclusions: Remember that standard homeowner’s insurance does not cover flood damage. If you live in a flood-prone area, consider a separate flood insurance policy.
Named Storm Provisions: Some policies have named storm provisions that affect coverage based on the National Hurricane Center’s declarations. Make sure you know how these provisions impact your policy.
2. Document Your Property’s Condition Before the Storm
Documenting your property is one of the most critical steps you can take to support your insurance claim. Before Hurricane Milton makes landfall, take high-quality photos and videos of your property’s interior and exterior. Include:
Roof and Siding Condition: Capture detailed shots of your roof, gutters, and siding.
Personal Property Inventory: Make a list of valuable items inside your home, such as electronics, furniture, and appliances, and include photos and videos of each.
Exterior Structures: Don’t forget about documenting garages, fences, and landscaping features.
These visual records are vital to proving that any post-storm damage wasn’t pre-existing, which is a common tactic used by insurance companies to deny or reduce payouts.
3. Secure and Protect Important Insurance Documents
Place your insurance policy, property deed, and any other critical documents in a waterproof container or upload them to a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox. This ensures you have easy access to your documents in case your home becomes uninhabitable or you need to file a claim from a different location.
4. Create an Emergency Contact List for Your Hurricane Claim
An emergency contact list should include your insurance company’s claims department, your local insurance agent, reputable contractors, and a public adjuster or attorney specializing in property damage claims. You don’t want to scramble to find the right people in the chaos after a hurricane.
5. Put Together an Emergency Claims Kit
Prepare a folder or binder that includes:
Copies of your insurance policy for quick reference.
Pre-storm photos and videos of your home and belongings.
Your emergency contact list with phone numbers and email addresses.
This emergency claims kit will be your go-to resource for documenting damage and communicating with your insurance company effectively.
Final Thoughts: Taking these proactive steps before Hurricane Milton makes landfall can save you time, money, and stress when it comes to filing your hurricane insurance claim. For more in-depth strategies and tips, check out my e-book, How Not to Get Screwed Over by Your Insurance Company. Stay safe, stay informed, and remember: the best way to protect your property is to be prepared!
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