Property Damage Claims: Steps to Take after a Natural Disaster

When a natural disaster hits, the first and most important thing is to account for all of your loved ones and pets and make sure they are safe. Look for your valuable belongings and determine the best strategy to secure them. Sometimes in the aftermath of a natural disaster theft and crime can come to a vulnerable community to take advantage of the situation. So, boarding up broken windows, and covering other damages to the best of your ability will be helpful.

Then, it is important not to delay in filing your claim once you are aware that your property has been damaged by the disaster. Potentially your home will only need repairs, or, in the most extreme instances, it may need to be completely rebuilt.

To start the claims process, you can file online or if that is not possible, you may call your insurance company to report over the phone. Once your claim has been filed an insurance adjuster should be sent to your home to check for damages and estimate the extent of the destruction and what would need to be done to fix things. Additionally, the adjuster will inquire about your personal property that was lost or damaged.

After the totality of the losses you suffered from the natural disaster has been evaluated, the adjuster that was assigned to your claim will review your policy’s terms. This will allow them to calculate the amount of money that your insurance will dispense to help you cover your losses. 

Natural disasters can be devastating and emotional. Handling the claims process in the aftermath can be a very difficult thing to do. Thinking clearly and soundly may not be possible right after a natural disaster. Despite this, it is not a good idea to wait and file a claim, the process should be started as soon as possible.

This is where an attorney can be helpful. A Tampa property damage attorney at Fulgencio Law can file your claim for you while you begin to pick up the pieces and manage recovering from the disaster. Since insurance adjusters are known for offering low settlements your attorney can also manage negotiations so you are treated fairly and obtain the proper amount of compensation you need to rebuild and get back to life. 

Once it is time to start rebuilding or repairing you should think about the building materials you are choosing. Considering materials that are the most robust and able to hold up to another potential disaster in the future is essential. When you are back in your home, make sure to create an inventory list of your possessions so that should disaster come again, you will have this on hand and not have the burden of figuring things out when everything is hectic and chaotic.

Call Fulgencio Law Today

Florida has its fair share of natural disasters including a rough hurricane season that comes around every year along with a vulnerability for sinkholes. If you live in Florida and have been harmed by a natural disaster, you can have help with your claim. Call Fulgencio Law at (813) 463-0123 to schedule a free consultation.