First and foremost, have a plan to protect you and your family. Don’t wait until it is too late to secure water, food and safety supplies. Do it now. Second, your home and personal property are important and cherished assets. If you have done all you can to protect your property before a hurricane, you have little control over the damage that is done by the storm. Therefore, once the storm begins, stay inside and ride it out.
Following is a list of things you should do to protect your assets in the event your property is damaged or destroyed by the storm:
1. Be prepared to document a claim before it occurs.
2. Take still pictures or videos of your house and personal belongings to insure there is no doubt as to what you owned before the storm.
3. Gather receipts for expensive items you may have purchased.
4. For those without a receipt, create an inventory: make, model, year of purchase and cost.
5. Save information in a safe place where it cannot be destroyed.
6. Consider an electronic copy of these documents or sending a copy to a friend or family member out of state.
If you have any questions after a loss, our firm can help you with your property claim. Our attorneys are former claims adjusters and can navigate the claim process for you including documenting and presenting your claim. Our firm can handle your claim on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not have to pay a fee unless your claim is paid. Also, if you have to file a lawsuit against your insurance carrier, and you prevail, the insurance carrier will be responsible for your attorney fees.
Questions regarding this matter or similar issue? Call our office for a free consultation. Toll-free: (800) 753-5529; Broward: (954) 653-9969; Miami-Dade: (305) 259-7100; West Palm Beach: (561) 275-1010.
