ORLANDO, Fla. – It’s an eventuality you hope you never have to plan for: damage from a natural disaster.
Preparing for a hurricane involves removing patio furniture, preparing windows and building a hurricane kit. You should also prepare to file an insurance claim too, just in case.
Recommended Videos
Follow these steps before a storm so you will have what you need if you need to file.
[RELATED: Track Milton: Cone, models, more | COUNTY-BY-COUNTY: Central Fla. impacts | TIMELINE: Milton in Central Florida | Why Milton is forecast to drop below Category 5 intensity | Sandbag locations | School, university closures | Milton’s rare path | Milton’s ‘dirty side’ is different | Download the FREE News 6 hurricane app]
Review your policy
You can’t make changes to your policy right before a hurricane in Florida, but it’s important to understand what your policy covers and what it doesn’t. Know your policy limits and understand how much your deductibles could be. If you have renters’ insurance, understand how your coverage works and how much you might get on a claim.
Here’s what’s covered in a stand homeowners insurance policy, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
If you also have flood insurance, you should review that policy as well. It will be separate from your homeowners’ policy.
You should also take another look at your auto insurance policy as well, just in case.
Create an inventory
When you file a claim, your insurance company will send out an adjuster to survey any damage. It will help you to take pictures now of your home, inside and out, what it looked like before the storm, and any personal possessions you want to replace. If you have receipts, dig them up, as well.
Lisa Miller, former Florida deputy insurance commissioner and disaster recovery adviser, takes it a step further.
“Document what your house looks like right now, take pictures of it, put a date and time on it, write about it, then do the same thing when you come back to your house and you can show the adjuster the changes,” Miller said.
Keep all of this in a water-proof folder or container so it’s protected during the storm, along with your policies.
Miller says you should also keep the storm damage descriptions succinct when you make your claims.
Create an account at DisasterAssistance.gov
If you have damage to your home, you likely also qualify for a grant through FEMA. To do this, go to DisasterAssistance.gov and click on “Let’s Get Started.”
After you verify you’re not a robot, you will have to create an account. It will transfer you to Login.gov, which is a portal for federal government agencies. Create an account there and remember your password. You will need this when it is time to file.
After the storm
If your home is damaged, notify your insurance company as soon as possible to file an insurance claim. Also, let them know if you have to leave your home and how to reach you.
Make any temporary repairs you can safely make as soon as possible. Be sure to keep receipts for expenses, and get written estimates from contractors.
Once a major disaster declaration is declared for your area, you can go to DisasterAssistance.gov and apply for FEMA help. We walk through the process of applying for FEMA assistance HERE.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: