Steps To Take After A Hurricane In Daytona Beach

All homeowners in Daytona Beach are at risk of suffering damage to their property caused by a hurricane or tropical storm. Heavy rain and high winds can cause disastrous damage to both the interior and exterior of a home. It is critical to know the important steps to take before and after a hurricane so you have the best chance of obtaining the full insurance coverage you are entitled to.

Steps to Take Before a Hurricane Hits

Perhaps the only good news about hurricanes is that they are predictable. Weather stations across the state are very skilled at determining where hurricanes are, and where they will hit the hardest. This gives you some time to prepare for the storm. Some of the safety measures to take when preparing for a hurricane include placing sandbags around the property, particularly any entranceways, and boarding up windows. Taking these steps to protect your home is important, as it will show the insurance company that you tried to mitigate the damage.

You should also take a video of the entire interior and exterior of your home before a storm hits. This will not only prove to the insurance company that you tried to protect the property, but it will also show the comparison of the property before and after the storm.

Steps to Take After a Hurricane

There are three important steps to take after a hurricane. These include:

• Create another video: Making a video that fully documents the damage to your property is critical. A video will not only show the insurer the full extent of the damage, but you can also use the first video you made to make a full comparison of the property before and after the hurricane.
• Protect from further damage: You may not be responsible for the damage caused by the hurricane, but you are responsible for making sure it does not become any worse afterwards. If you do not, the insurance company will use this to deny your claim. If your roof or windows were damaged, tarp these areas to protect the interior of your home. If the interior has already sustained water damage, document any efforts you made to remove standing water and prevent mold damage. Regardless of the prevention steps you take, make sure they are well documented.
• File your claim as soon as possible: The aftermath of a hurricane is overwhelming. You will have much to do and a lot to think about. While filing an insurance claim may not be the first thing on your mind, it is critical that you file as soon as possible. Filing your claim as early as possible will help you obtain the full coverage you need more quickly. Insurers have just 14 days to respond to your claim, and then just 90 days to pay the claim in full, although there are some exceptions.

Call Our Hurricane Insurance Claims Lawyers in Daytona Beach After a Storm

After a hurricane, your priority is likely protecting your home and getting things back in order. You do not want to deal with the insurance company, either. At Bundza & Rodriguez, our Daytona Beach hurricane insurance claims lawyers can file a claim on your behalf, giving you the best chance of obtaining the full coverage you are entitled to. Call us now at 386-252-5170 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

Source:

uphelp.org/claim-guidance-publications/insurance-consumer-rights-in-florida-2022/