How Social Media Posts Can Hurt Your Property Damage Claim
The use of social media today has become widespread. People use social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to share many details of their lives with friends, family members, and even strangers. After a hurricane, fire, or other natural disaster, you may want to post pictures onto social media. You may want to show the extent of damage to your home, or you may just want to let everyone know you are okay. While this is tempting, it is something you should avoid doing. Below, our Daytona Beach residential and commercial property damage lawyer explains why.
The Mitigation Defense
When you file a property damage claim, you have a duty to mitigate, or prevent, further damage. This could include placing tarps over the damage to prevent further water damage, or covering windows that became broken during a storm. If you post pictures or video footage before you take these measures, the insurance company may use them as evidence that you did not take the appropriate steps to mitigate the damage. They may then use this to deny your claim.
Proving Pre-Existing Damage
Even if you do not post new photos of the damage to your home, the insurance company may still comb through your past pictures to prove the damage was pre-existing and that it was not caused by the storm. Even when there is no previous damage, the insurer will look for details that could help them defend a claim. For this reason, it is sometimes best to deactivate your accounts so the insurance company cannot find things to use against you.
Negligence
The insurance company is only required to provide coverage for natural events and accidents. If your property was damaged due to your own negligence, the insurance company is not legally obligated to cover it. For example, if a water pipe burst and you did nothing to stop the leak and prevent mold, that is negligence. If your social media accounts show damage due to negligence, it could really hurt your property damage claim.
Inadequate Repairs
Some homeowners try to save money when maintaining their home by taking shortcuts. They may even try to repair a condition themselves without using the proper techniques or tools. The insurance company can also use these shoddy repairs to deny your claim if they find pictures of them on social media.
Statements Made Online
You may make certain statements online that the insurance company will use against you. For example, you may assure a family member that everyone is okay. The insurance adjuster may take these words out of context to show that you do not need coverage because as you said in your own words, everything is okay. Refrain from making any statements or posting anything so they do not have anything to use against you.
Our Residential and Commercial Property Damage Lawyer in Daytona Beach Can Advise On All Aspects of Your Claim
There are many things to consider when filing a property damage claim. At Bundza & Rodriguez, our Daytona Beach residential and commercial property damage lawyer can advise you of all the legal aspects so you obtain the full and fair coverage you deserve. Call or text us now at 386-252-5170 or chat with us online to book a free review of your case.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0624/Sections/0624.155.html
