Why You Should Document Hurricane Damage Right Away

With back-to-back Hurricanes that hit the west coast of Florida within two weeks, it can be difficult to document which storm created damage to your property. Some damages could be overlapping but became worse from the second storm.

This is why it’s important to document damage right away. Both storms had flooding and hurricane-force winds.

Your insurance policy is a contract with specific language that requires you to mitigate to prevent further damage to your property.

Oftentimes, and out of a sense of urgency, property owners start to clean up and remove damaged evidence before the insurance company has an opportunity to inspect the damage.​

Tips To Document Hurricane Damage
When your property gets damaged and you need to file an insurance claim, you should always have proof of the damage before any cleanup/removal begins. Below are some quick tips to help guide you:
 

• Photograph and/or video the condition of your property, both inside and outside
• Make sure you photograph and/or video any part of the building that is damaged, and also document the flood line if flooding has occurred
• Make a list of damaged items before they are discarded
• Photograph and/or video your damaged personal property/contents
• Make a detailed list of damaged contents with specific details such as where and when it was purchased, serial numbers, and the cost.
• If you cannot access your property to assess the damage, hire a licensed Public Adjuster who can properly document the damage for you

 
If you cannot prove the property was damaged before it was discarded, you may not be paid for it.
 
Mitigating Damages To Protect Your Property
Documenting the damage properly is important to your recovery when you file an insurance claim. As I mentioned above, this is a requirement in your insurance policy and includes mitigation/cleanup.
 
There are multiple reasons to mitigate, some can be tree removal from the building or tarping a damaged roof to minimize water intrusion.
 
Other forms would be to remove residual water from rising flood waters or a broken pipe.  Either way, documenting the damages before mitigation/cleanup is key to proving the damage.
 
If you need any help with your insurance claim, whether it’s a new or underpaid claim, we have the knowledge, experience, and professionalism to get you everything you are entitled to.  Call us at (561) 288-6434 or contact us here.