What to Avoid During a Hurricane Insurance Claim

Hurricane insurance is a necessity in Tampa, Florida. However, many people who have insurance still deal with setbacks, which is abundantly clear in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. One year after the storm touched down in the state, there are still roughly 18,000 open claims that require resolution.

While insurance companies can be slow when it comes to hurricane insurance coverage, you need to act immediately on your claim. Many homeowners end up making mistakes that delay the process, so you need to avoid certain actions to prevent further delays.

Do Not Throw out Damaged Items

Upon returning home, you may notice a few items badly damaged to a point beyond salvaging. You need to hang onto everything so the insurance company can see precisely what all sustained damage. Additionally, some items may seem damaged, but a professional could repair them. You want an insurance representative to see everything first before you do anything.

Do Not Wait to Contact Your Insurance Agency

You will be better off contacting your insurance company as soon as possible after the storm. A representative will need to come out to assess the damage. Following a hurricane, thousands of homeowners could file claims at the same time, so if you wait, then you could end sitting around for a while until someone shows up.

Do Not Let the Representative Leave until He or She Sees Everything

With so many claims to go through, many insurance adjusters just take a glance at your home. They will make you an offer based on an assumption, and you may not get as much money as you need to make essential repairs. You should be with the adjuster at all times and insist that he or she looks at everything. Walk the adjuster through every area of your home, including the roof.