Victims of recent disasters such as Hurricane Michael may not be offered as much as they deserve when they file claims on their dwelling coverage. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon; part of insurance adjuster’s job is to minimize the amount of money the company will have to pay on such a claim.

The Bad News – and the Good

Disaster victims are often under great stress and find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of their losses and having to live in shelters during the cleanup. Some insurers can be notoriously slow to offer settlements on dwelling coverage. Meanwhile, as of this writing, Hurricane Michael victims are still without homes, even though the storm struck in early October.

There is a silver lining. In many cases, insurance companies can be prodded into offering larger settlements sooner when claimants have legal advice and representation. In the meantime, there are a number of things victims of Hurricane Michael and other natural disasters can do to facilitate the process and help to make sure they get the maximum amount to which they are entitled.

Starting a Dwelling Coverage Claim

The first step to pursuing compensation under dwelling coverage is to contact your insurer as soon as possible after suffering a loss and get the claim process started. Explain what was damaged and to what extent. The reason is that there is a “triage” process; insurance companies will send adjusters to examine the most heavily damaged properties first. When you file a claim, record the claim number and keep it in a secure place, as you will need this when communicating with your insurer.

It is also important to read and understand what is written in your dwelling coverage policy, specifically the information found under  “declarations.” This section of your dwelling coverage policy specifies what is covered, any limits on the amount of money that will be paid out in the event of a claim and any deductibles (the amount for which the insured is responsible before coverage kicks in). In a fair number of cases, disputes can arise when there is a difference between the stated value of a property and its replacement cost.

Declarations or “dec sheets” are legal documents and can be difficult for laypeople to understand. An attorney can be of great assistance in clarifying anything one may not understand about their dwelling coverage.

Document Everything

Once you have taken all possible steps to mitigate further damage, take pictures or video of all property damage as well as personal items, and list anything that may have been destroyed or gone missing. Having purchase records for such items (such as receipts) will be helpful in determining replacement value.

Keep all receipts of any expenses incurred as a result of the disaster. Most dwelling coverage includes reimbursement or payment for motel or apartment rentals if the house is uninhabitable. If you own a small business that was affected or have lost income as a result of the disaster, document such losses as much as possible.

Finally, make records of every contact you have with your insurer, noting dates, times, what was discussed and with whom. You will also need to start getting written bids from contractors for repairs and be prepared to furnish these to the insurer.

Getting Legal Help

Currently, law firms are reaching out to victims who have suffered property losses resulting from Hurricane Michael, Hurricane Florence, and other recent disasters.  A qualified insurance attorney can help you to understand your dwelling coverage policy and assist you in filing your claim and dealing with the insurance company, helping to make certain you are fairly compensated.