Everything You Need to Know About Hurricane Damage Insurance Claims

When your home is damaged by a hurricane, it can be hard to know where to begin with your insurance company.

Do you file a claim for the windstorm damage? Or for the water damage from heavy rainfall that got in after your roof was damaged by the wind? 

Read on for our best tips on how to handle hurricane damage insurance claims.

Hurricanes are a swirling vortex of water and wind which lay waste to everything in their path. Some of the major consequences of a hurricane are:

If only a hurricane caused one type of damage, it would be easier to determine the payout in hurricane damage insurance claims. Unfortunately, when your home is damaged by a hurricane, it is likely that you have flooding damage, which can be exacerbated by wind damage that allowed more water into your home through heavy rainfall.

Because most insurance policies have a great deal of specificity in what they cover, your insurance provider will likely try to break down each individual cause of damage.

This sounds good, because it means that you get the most comprehensive evaluation of your loss, right? Well, it may not be beneficial for you in the long run. Each type of damage has a maximum coverage limit, and you have to pay the deductible for each kind of damage.

Even aside from the fact that ordinary homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flooding, if you have more wind damage than your policy covers, you will have to pay out of pocket to cover the remaining repairs, even if you have a claim for water damage from the rainfall which didn’t come close to its limit.

Certain states have dedicated policies for windstorm damage, and it has its own deductible. The limits and limitations vary from state to state, but if you have a windstorm deductible, then you are more likely to have coverage from the wind damage caused by a hurricane.

The following states all have a special windstorm damage deductible:

This is another case where you may or may not be covered, depending on what the insurance company determines is the cause of the damage.

You can buy endorsements, or add-ons, to your homeowner’s insurance policy and one of the options that is available is sewer backup damage. If you have purchased this as an add on to your policy, then the sewer backup damage may be covered.

If, however, the sewer backup is a result of flooding, which can be caused by heavy rainfall in the area of a hurricane, then you need to make sure you have purchased special flood insurance or your damage will not be covered.

If you do not live in a flood-prone area, but there is still the chance you could be hit by a hurricane, you may want to check with your insurance about purchasing a sewer backup endorsement.

When it comes to the coverage of your home, you cannot take risks with hurricane and flood insurance.

Some people think they are clever by waiting until it is storm season, or worse, a storm is on the horizon, to try and get coverage.

Unfortunately, many policies have a waiting period of as long as a few weeks or a full thirty days. If you wait until the storm is on top of you, you may not even be able to buy coverage. The laws are different depending on the state you are in, but many insurance companies will cease the sale of hurricane-related insurance when a hurricane watch starts. Even if you are able to purchase a policy, it is possible that your coverage will not be active until the storm is over, and the property damage is done.

1. Keep your coverage year-round – because there are waiting periods and blackouts, if you keep your coverage all year and not just during storm season, then you are less likely to encounter a situation where your policy is not effective.
2. Prepare for a higher deductible – Because hurricane damage insurance claims are based on the percentage of the total claim, you may have to fork over between 2 and 5 percent of the coverage amount.
3. Consider hurricane insurance even if you are low risk. Nearly a quarter of the insurance claims that FEMA pays out each year are to homeowners in a low-risk zone.  It may be worth it for you to buy hurricane insurance if you are in any region that may be hit by a hurricane.
4. Keep track of food and lodging expenses. Your policy shouldn’t just cover repairs to your home. If your residence is uninhabitable after a disaster, then they will pay for your living expenses while you have to stay somewhere else.

Unleash the Potential of Continental Public Adjusters

When it comes to navigating property claims in the diverse landscape of Florida, Continental Public Adjusters is your trusted ally. With a rich legacy of experience, our dedicated team is here to help you maximize the benefits of your insurance policy.

Whether you're faced with a new property claim or grappling with the challenges of a denied, delayed, or underpaid claim, an experienced public adjuster is your ultimate solution.

Here are five compelling reasons to consider Continental Public Adjusters:

• Your Unwavering Advocate: Our sole commitment is to secure the highest possible compensation for your loss.
• Comprehensive Analysis: We conduct a meticulous investigation, leaving no detail unexplored to understand the specifics of your loss. Our team of experts and consultants work tirelessly to determine the true value of your property loss.
• Precision Estimation: Employing state-of-the-art cost estimating software, we meticulously prepare comprehensive supporting documentation and promptly submit it to your insurance provider.
• Expert Negotiation: We skillfully manage your claim and engage in negotiations with your insurance company's adjuster to secure a settlement aligned with your best interests and your approval.
• Maximizing Your Benefits: With the wisdom derived from settling thousands of claims, we can anticipate potential issues and obstacles in the claims process. Our unwavering commitment is to ensure you receive the maximum benefits you rightfully deserve.
  
  

Embark on your journey with us through a complimentary consultation with one of our seasoned team members. With 38 years of invaluable experience successfully settling numerous claims, covering both personal and commercial properties in Florida, Continental Public Adjusters, Inc. is your reliable partner.

Reach out to us today at (800) 989-4769 or email us at info@contpa.com to initiate your FREE claim review. Your satisfaction and peace of mind are our top priorities.