Was your home, property or business damaged in a hurricane, flood, or other natural disaster?

Many people who file insurance claims may worry that they are not getting the most compensation possible out of their insurance claims. Accurately and carefully reporting damage can be the key to getting the most out of a flood and hurricane insurance claim.

Filing a claim can be confusing, and the stress of dealing with damaged property can make the process even more difficult. Some people may not know that their insurance covers a range of damage, including damages to a home or personal property like cars, damages to their business which includes monetary losses that aren’t specifically property, and damages incurred when a business’s earnings were interrupted due to a disaster.

Flood and Hurricane Insurance: Hurricane Florence

Many people have been affected by Hurricane Florence that hit North Carolina in September 2018. North Carolina has been at risk for massive storms and hurricanes, and as a result, many insurance providers refuse to provide flood and hurricane insurance to people in North Carolina.

Despite the risk, many developers have continued to build in North Carolina. The state has realized that it may be up to them to cover its citizens flood and hurricane insurance needs, because private insurers see the area as too risky.

So, the state created an insurance plan for residents with cash reserves to deal with damage. However, even those reserves may not be enough to cover damage to the coastal state.

Even so, individuals may still have difficulty gaining insurance during the difficult time after a natural disaster, and may face significant expenses, especially if they don’t have sufficient flood and hurricane insurance.

Natural Disaster Insurance Claim Filing Tips

Though you may feel overwhelmed if you are faced with property damage after a natural disaster, there are some steps you can take to ensure that you are properly compensated.

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the damage occurs. When you notify the insurance company of the damage, tell them of the full extent of the damage. In the instance of a natural disaster, insurers visit the properties that are most damaged first. Be sure to write down your claim number, so the insurance company will be able to easily find your file when you contact them.

Photograph, video record, and make lists of any damage to your property. Your property isn’t just your house — record damage to items like appliances, furniture, electronics, artwork, etc. You may be able to receive compensation for damage to these items.

Try to prevent further damage. If possible, try to prevent as much damage as possible from occurring after the initial disaster. Cover holes in walls or a roof with tarp, move items away from spaces damaged or exposed to weather in your home, and the like. However, don’t take steps to repair your home before your property has been assessed by an insurance company.

Get bids for damage repair. Though you don’t want to have work done before the insurance company assesses the damage, you can start getting bids right away for how much it will cost to repair the damage.

Record contact with the insurance company, and keep all paperwork sent by the insurance company. Keep track of who you talked to, and when you spoke with them. Make note of your conversations with insurance company representatives.