5 Facts about Hurricane Insurance Claims

The moments after a hurricane hits can be disorientating. In addition to struggling to find safety, many people are dealing with difficult emotions as they watch their homes get damaged or sometimes outright destroyed.

Below, we offer 5 facts you should be aware of about making insurance claims after a hurricane. Please contact Bundza & Rodriguez in Daytona Beach if you have any questions.

Comprehensive Insurance Should Cover Damage to Your Car

Some people view comprehensive insurance as a waste of money, but it would be a terrific benefit after a hurricane. This type of insurance covers damage to your vehicle from something other than an accident, so it should definitely cover damage from a hurricane, including flooding. If your car has been damaged, report it to your insurer who can coordinate payment for getting it fixed.

You Might Qualify for Living Expenses

As Kiplinger notes, many homeowners’ policies will pay living expenses if you have been forced out of your home due to the storm. The policy might cover the cost of food, shelter, transportation, and other expenses for a given amount of time, often up to a year. You might need to move if your home was so badly damaged that it is not habitable, and it is a terrific benefit to not have to worry about living expenses as your home is repaired.

Remember to hang onto all receipts, even for small purchases like meals. Some insurers might give you a special debit card so that they can track all purchases for purposes of reimbursement.

Your Deductible Can Be Higher for Windstorm Damage

Check your homeowners’ insurance policy. In Florida, insurers can charge a special deductible for any damage caused by a hurricane named by the National Weather Service. Florida allows insurers to charge a hurricane deductible of 2%, 5%, or 10% of the structure or policy limits. A $500 deductible is also allowed. Make sure you understand how much you are on the hook for before your insurer kicks in with benefits.

Lean on State Assistance, Too

Insurance is absolutely vital to help people recover from a hurricane or other natural disaster. At the same time, there is a lot of government assistance made available in the aftermath, and people should get the resources they need.

Stop into a FEMA disaster recovery center. The government often provides emergency shelter, water, and sometimes cash assistance to those who have been most affected by the hurricane.

An Attorney is a Great Benefit

If you are struggling to get an insurer to pay out a claim, then you should contact Bundza & Rodriguez today. After hurricanes, insurers often try to limit the amount of benefits they pay out by rejecting valid claims or requiring absurd amounts of documentation to slow down the claims process.

One of our Daytona Beach hurricane insurance claim attorneys will be happy to meet with you to go over your claim and possibly bring an appeal if you have been denied. To start the process, please contact us today by calling 386-252-5170.

Resource:

kiplinger.com/slideshow/insurance/T028-S001-10-things-to-know-about-hurricane-insurance-claims/index.html

https://www.daytonalawyers.com/watch-out-for-home-repair-scams-after-a-hurricane/