Filing A Claim For Property Damages To Your Home? Follow Our Property Damage Checklist

Property damage can happen to your home due to a variety of reasons. Insurance policies you have in place can compensate you for damages but dealing with the insurance company and their representatives often proves challenging. To protect yourself and your rights in property damage claims, we have compiled a simple checklist for you to follow.

Follow This Checklist When Property Damage Happens To Your Home

Property damages make up the bulk of homeowner’s insurance claims. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), fires, lightning strikes, hail, heavy winds, and vandalism or theft are among the most common causes. The average amount of a claim is roughly $12,000, but considering hurricanes and tropical storms that frequent our area, property damage claims in Daytona beach are often significantly higher.

Dealing with insurers in the aftermath can prove challenging and it is not uncommon for them to either deny or downplay claims. Following this checklist can help you get the maximum amount you are entitled to:

• Keep a complete inventory of your property and numerous pictures of your home on hand, which you can use to illustrate damages when filing a claim.
• Make sure you have copies of all insurance policy documents and familiarize yourself with the exact terms of coverage.
• When property damage occurs, notify the police immediately so that an accident report can be filed.
• Keep a record of all emergency responders at the scene, such as firefighters and electricians. Their statements could prove useful at a later date.
• Thoroughly document all damages, taking photos from multiple angles.
• Avoid throwing anything away, regardless of how damaged it is. Keep it in a separate pile to show your claims adjuster.
• Under the Florida Statutes, you have a duty to take steps to prevent additional damages. For example, if your roof is damaged, cover the area with a tarp so items inside do not get exposed to water or other elements.
• Depending on the type of damage and ongoing conditions, consider whether you need to shut off the water, gas, or other utilities.
• If there is structural damage, put caution tape around the area to avoid being held liable for any injuries suffered by those coming onto your property.
• If you are unable to remain in your home as a result of property damage, lock all doors and consider boarding windows before leaving to discourage looters.
• Away from home, keep receipts and records regarding all the expenses you incur.
• Return to the property regularly to assess the situation and to monitor whether there are additional damages.
• Notify your insurer immediately, regardless of the severity of damage suffered.
• Reach out to our Daytona Beach property claims attorney to protect your rights in filing a claim.

Let Us Help You Today

You only have one chance to get compensation for property damages in a claim. To avoid paying out of pocket, call or contact our Daytona Beach property damage attorneys online and request a consultation today.