Homeowners whose properties were damaged by the recent hurricane may have trouble filing a Hurricane Florence insurance claim, as fewer than 10 percent of households in the Carolinas had federal flood insurance.

Before Hurricane Florence hit the United States, a property data firm CoreLogic estimated that 250,000 homes in North Carolina would be affected by the storm, according to MarketWatch. The actuarial firm Milliman estimated that less than 10 percent of those affected households were covered by federal flood insurance.

With the storm dissipated and flooding running rampant across the Carolinas, many homeowners may find they’re not getting the coverage they need when filing a Hurricane Florence insurance claim.

Standard homeowners’ insurance does not usually cover flood damage associated with hurricanes. In some cases, if hurricane winds damage the home’s roof and cause water damage, some of the property damage will be covered by standard homeowners’ insurance. However, if flooding from a nearby river or other body of water causes flooding, damage would only be covered by flood insurance.

The National Flood Insurance Program was created in 1968 to supplement this lack of coverage. Homeowners can purchase a policy directly through the program to through a private insurance company.

As of April 2017, the average annual premium for a policy through the National Flood Insurance Program is $878. Although flood insurance can be extremely helpful for natural disasters such as hurricanes, many homeowners pass on the policy due to the extra costs.

Whether or not homeowners have additional flood insurance, there are many important steps to take when filing a Hurricane Florence insurance claim to ensure maximum compensation. Taking the following steps can help homeowners get all the coverage they’re entitled to:

• Contact the insurance company as soon as possible to notify them of property damage. Report the extent of the damage and record the claim number for future communications.
• Take photographs and videos of property damage.
• Make a list of missing or destroyed items. On the list, include when the items were purchased and the value.
• Take steps to prevent further damage through temporary repairs. Do not make any permanent repairs or throw relevant items away.
• Keep documentation of any hurricane-related expenses related to property damage. This may include hotel stays, living expenses, and related business expenses.
• Keep a record of any and all communication with the insurance company. Document important information from each communication and the representatives’ names.
• Hold on to any relevant paperwork sent by the insurance company and keep this paperwork in a safe place.
• Start getting quotes from contractors for repairs to damaged property. This information can speed up the repair process and be given to the insurance adjuster for a quicker insurance process.

If you have property that was damaged in the recent hurricane and subsequent flooding, you may be able to file a Hurricane Florence insurance claim. An experienced attorney may be able to help you file a Hurricane Florence insurance claim and navigate the complicated process. Even if you have already filed a Hurricane Florence insurance claim, a qualified attorney may be able to help you recover additional compensation.