As soon as your home has been damaged by storm, flood, fire or another unexpected event, your first instinct might be to contact your insurance provider and file a claim without delay. But in St. Petersburg FL it’s vital that you know exactly which steps need to be taken first in order to minimize expenses as any errors made early can cost both time and money; even more seriously they could even result in being denied!
What Every Homeowner in St. Petersburg Should Be Aware of Before Filing an Insurance Claim Against Property Damage
1. Review Your Policy
Before reaching out to an insurer, take time to carefully read over and understand your policy’s deductibles (including hurricane-specific deductibles) as part of preparation.
- Coverage Limits/Exclusions (e.g. flood or mold damage)
- Filing deadlines
Many Florida homeowners may be surprised to learn that flood damage is not covered under their standard homeowners policy and requires purchasing an additional flood policy in addition to standard coverage. Make sure the type of coverage aligns with any damage experienced.
2. Document Everything
Take photos and videos as soon as you notice damage – such as structural (roof, siding and window damage), personal property loss such as belongings under roof shingles as well as items damaged during an evacuation; any necessary structural repair (roofs, walls etc) before continuing your travel plans.
- Interior damage (floors, walls, ceilings and personal items) was sustained as the result of Hurricane Irene in 2017.
- Temporary fixes (such as tarps or boarded-up windows ) should suffice as emergency solutions until more permanent measures can be put into effect.
- Keep receipts for emergency repairs or items such as fans, tarps or cleaning supplies purchased as emergency expenses to support and increase the payout of any claim you file. Having this documentation at hand will bolster your claim and maximize its payout potential.
3. Minimizing Additional Damage
Your insurance policy likely stipulates taking steps to mitigate further damages, which means making temporary repairs such as:
- Covering leaks with tarps, turning off water or power to mitigate further risk.
- Building up broken windows involves boarding them up as soon as they appear.
- Failing to do this could give your insurer cause to reduce or deny your claim.
4. Be Careful What You Say
It is important to remember when calling an insurance provider that any statements made could be recorded and used against them during claims processing. Stay focused on facts rather than speculations – for instance, don’t say things such as, “It wasn’t too serious” or “I have no idea what caused it”. Until a professional assessment has taken place.
5. Know That Help Is Available
The claims process doesn’t need to be intimidating or discouraging for anyone involved; for those feeling overwhelmed or underpaid, hiring a public adjuster or property damage lawyer is available as support to ensure a fair settlement for themselves and all involved.
This post was written by Kelly-Ann Jenkins of Jenkins Law P.L. Kelly-Ann is an Insurance claims attorney St Petersburg FL. The information on this site is not intended to and does not offer legal advice, legal recommendations, or legal representation on any matter. Hiring an attorney is an important decision, which should not be based on advertising. You need to consult an attorney for legal advice regarding your situation.
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