Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Filing a Tornado Insurance Claim Post-Hurricane Milton
When you’re dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, figuring out how you’ll pay for repairs to your home is always a priority. For most homeowners, this involves filing a homeowners’ insurance claim and waiting for their insurance provider to offer a settlement. Unfortunately, many homeowners end up making mistakes when filing their claims and those mistakes can be costly. While a Florida hurricane insurance claims attorney can often help you make things right, it’s best to avoid making these mistakes in the first place.
1. Waiting to File Your Claim
Dealing with storm damage is stressful on its own. Often, that stress makes it hard to find the motivation to file your insurance claim immediately after the storm. And the longer you wait, the harder it can be to get a fair settlement in a timely manner. Instead of waiting, notify your insurance agent of the damage immediately and file the claim as soon as you can. Don’t worry—they’ll guide you through the process.
2. Not Documenting the Damage
Insurance companies rely on supplemental documentation to help fully understand the severity of your claim. If you don’t document the damage, you have no way to prove the extent of the repairs needed to make your home livable again. Whenever possible, document the damage thoroughly. Take pictures of the interior and exterior of your home, highlighting damaged items and components. You can submit those photos with your claim.
3. Making Repairs Before Your Claim Is Settled
Making repairs before your insurance claim is settled can result in a lower settlement amount. This is because the insurance company can’t verify the severity of the damage caused by the storm and they won’t take your word for it. Instead, try to hold off on repairs until you receive an offer. You can make temporary repairs to make your home livable, but nothing should be permanently installed.
4. Not Getting Quotes From Local Contractors
Insurance companies rarely want to pay top dollar for claims. And though the insurance adjuster will give them an estimate for repairs, there’s no guarantee that the estimate will reflect market prices and conditions. Do yourself a favor and get quotes from local contractors who you trust. Make sure those quotes are in writing and detail the cost of materials, labor, and the extent of the work needed to get your home back into normal condition. You can use those quotes to contest your insurance company’s settlement if it’s too low.
5. Accepting a Low Initial Settlement
Though it’s tempting to be done with the insurance claims process as soon as you receive your settlement, don’t fall into the trap of accepting a lower-than-fair offer. As soon as you accept the insurance company’s settlement, you waive your right to appeal for a higher amount. If the settlement is too low, speak with a Florida hurricane insurance claims attorney and appeal the settlement.
You can technically appeal the decision on your own, but working with an attorney can increase your chances of getting a fair settlement. Remember, they know how to represent your case to the insurance provider and can show them why a larger settlement is deserved.
Avoid Making These Mistakes With Your Claim
These are just a few of the common mistakes people make when filing tornado insurance claims after a hurricane. If your home was damaged by tornadoes or high winds during Hurricane Milton, the best thing you can do is speak with a Florida hurricane insurance claims attorney. They’ll push for you to get the best settlement possible. Contact Parrish Law today to schedule a free consultation.