Understanding Homeowner’s Insurance During Hurricane Season

As a homeowner living in the area, you should be well versed in the issues that arise with homeowner’s insurance in the case of an incident such as a hurricane or flooding. Here are a few reminders as we approach the most active time of hurricane season.

7 Things to Be Aware of With Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policies

1. It’s important to remember that no single policy will cover all of the damage that a hurricane can cause, but having a combination of windstorm, homeowner’s, and flood insurance will cover most damages caused during a storm.

2. Know your policy’s trigger for a deductible so that you can budget what you may have to pay out of pocket.

3. Always check your declaration page. For instance, flood insurance doesn’t necessarily cover all water damage.

4. Flood insurance will cover things such as rising water, accumulation of water, and inflow of tidal waters including storm surge, but may not cover water damage from a leak in the roof or water that came in through a window. Make sure you check your policy and understand what will be covered and what won’t be covered.

5. Flood insurance is required in flood zones, but if you have flooding outside of a designated flood zone and are without insurance, FEMA may be able to help you with a grant or loan depending on the damage.

6. Additional items such as fencing or outside gazebos should be listed on your homeowner’s insurance, but again, check your documents. Remember that typically, there is no coverage for landscaping,

7. Any damage to your vehicles will be covered by your auto insurance policy, so it’s also important to make sure your auto insurance is up-to-date.

Pre and Post-Storm Insurance Claim Reminders

Prior to a storm and after the storm causes damage to your property, take photos of your home and surrounding area. If you need to make a claim, it’s best to have photos that show how the damage has affected your dwelling.

Following a storm, there tends to be more scammers and fraudsters making their way around neighborhoods. Be extra cautious as you deal with repair companies and anyone claiming to represent insurers. It is not likely that your insurance company will send someone unannounced, so double check with them if anyone shows up at your door before you’ve made a call.

Consider speaking with an attorney before reaching out to your insurance company. The process for filing a claim can be tricky. In addition, some insurance companies will not simply pay fair value on a claim, especially if it is a significant, high-dollar property damage claim. In many cases, property owners need to take legal action to recover their losses and ensure that their insurance carriers comply with the terms of the insurance contract. Our property damage claim attorneys represent residential and commercial property owners in all types of insurance claims, including those from storm damage.