Hurricane Season
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is officially behind us, although it did not go quietly. It was the most active, and the seventh costliest on record.
If your home, condo, or business was damaged during one of our many seasonal storms or hurricanes, and you are not sure where to start, our Florida insurance claims attorneys at The Morgan Law Group have a few tips to point you in the right direction and get you prepared for next year’s hurricane season.
Check Your Home, Condo, or Business for Storm or Hurricane Damage
Now that hurricane season is over, it is the perfect time to survey your property for any damage.
Safely check your home and any other structures on the property for hurricane damage, including:
- Roof damage, including missing shingles or holes
- Gutter damage, including debris, bending, tilting, or tears
- Siding damage, including dents, separations, or missing pieces
- Brick and/or concrete damage
- Swimming pool and/or hot tub damage, including cracks or structural problems
- Water or flood damage
- Foundation or structural damage
- Cracked or broken windows
- Damage caused by falling trees or other debris
Before filing a claim with the insurance company, contact our Florida insurance claims lawyers to learn more about your coverage, the extent of your damages whether you should seek an assessment from a public adjuster, and how we can help you pursue the maximum amount for your complete losses.
How Can I Prepare for the Next Hurricane Season in Florida?
If your home and property avoided hurricane damage in 2020, it is never too early to start thinking about how you can prepare for the next hurricane season, so you are ready for whatever Mother Nature throws your way.
- Take Your Home’s Inventory Before Next Season
If your home is damaged during a hurricane, chances are you are not going to remember every piece of property, its worth, or when you bought it. Fortunately, technology makes recording your assets much easier. Take pictures or video of your assets, including the make, model, and serial numbers, and be sure to save the receipts, so you can match them to the damaged items when pursuing a claim later.
Be sure to update the inventory when you make new purchases and keep the records in a safe place.
- Review Your Insurance Policy and Complete Coverage Before the Storms Arrive
If you do not know the details of your insurance policy and its complete coverage, now is the time to learn everything there is to know.
Review your information with your insurance agent and ask specific questions about your hurricane, wind, and flood damage coverage, so you know what you are entitled to, should you need to file a claim.
This will allow you to learn several important things, including:
- Has the insurance company changed your coverage in the last year?
- Does your policy include a separate deductible for hurricanes?
- Do you need to increase your coverage for hurricane liability, personal possessions, property, home, or business?
- Does your coverage provide living expenses if you cannot live in your home after a hurricane?
The more you know about your coverage, the better protected you will be.
If your home, condo, or business was damaged during the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane season, or if you simply want to understand your coverage more clearly, schedule a free consultation with our experienced Florida insurance claims attorneys at The Morgan Law Group, P.A. today by calling(850) 403-0992
