Property Insurance Claims and Severe Weather

            As Tropical Storm Elsa works its way up the East Coast of the United States, many businesses and homes will suffer damage, and property owners will likely turn to their insurance carriers seeking proceeds to restore their properties. If you are in the path of a severe storm, or if your property has already been damaged by a storm, you may find yourself stuck dealing with your insurance carrier. Here are a few actions that can help the process of filing a property insurance claim go more smoothly.

Before the Storm

            When a severe storm is approaching, your top priority should be to protect yourself and your loved ones. Make sure to follow the guidance of your local authorities and evacuate if necessary.

            If there are no evacuation orders and you remain on your property, safely document everything you can. Depending on the severity of the storm, your property may suffer hail strikes, wind damage, water intrusion, falling trees, or other perils. Should you need to file an insurance claim for storm damage, it will be helpful to have documentation showing the condition of your property prior to the storm. A picture or video tour of your property, inside and out, will certainly help demonstrate the pre-loss condition.

During the Storm

            During the storm, ensuring your personal safety should be your top priority. If you are safe, it is helpful to record evidence of the weather event. If you see hail falling, trees swaying in the wind, or other signs of storm activity, try to document it with your phone’s video camera while remaining safely inside. Utilizing security cameras to document the storm can also be a great help! A common difficulty faced by policyholders when filing a property insurance claim is pinpointing the specific date of loss, as damage may be discovered months after the storm. If you have evidence that a severe weather event took place at your property on a specific date, it can help establish a date of loss for your insurance claim.

After the Storm Passes

            After the storm passes, take a look around your property for signs of damage. The storm may have caused noticeable damage to plants, siding, gutters, shingles, windows, or other parts of your property. Take pictures or video of any damage you see at this time. If you see or believe there may be damage, hire a contractor, public adjuster, or roofer to inspect your property for damage. These licensed professionals know what to look for when it comes to property damage, and they can help with the restoration of your property.

            Finally, many, if not all, insurance policies require property owners and tenants to mitigate their losses. Depending on the type of loss, mitigation can take many forms. For example, a water loss may require a water mitigation specialist, a damaged roof may need to be tarped, and windows may need to be sealed. Make sure that any damage is mitigated, as your insurance carrier may refuse to pay if you don’t mitigate!

Still have Questions? Call the Property Insurance Attorneys at Huggins Law Firm!

            If you have a property insurance claim that your insurance carrier underpaid or denied outright, we may be able to help! The expert attorneys at Huggins Law Firm know that every claim is unique and requires personal, hands-on attention. Contact Georgia’s top Property Insurance attorneys by calling us at (770) 913-6229 or by clicking here.

            Written by Foster Peebles, Attorney at Huggins Law Firm