REVIEW YOUR INSURANCE POLICY
Hurricane Dorian just wreaked havoc on the Bahamas and the totality of the devastation is still being reported. Fortunately for Floridians, Dorian stayed off the coast sparing residents’ severe damages. Yet, we are still in the middle of hurricane season and are just entering the peak months of hurricane season, September and October. Now that Hurricane Dorian has passed, now is a good time to review your insurance policy. Familiarize yourself with yourself with your hurricane deductible and coverage. Most importantly, know where to call to report a claim should your home sustain hurricane damage in the future. This is especially true if you live in an area that is close to the shore and is frequently evacuated when a storm is approaching. If you evacuate, you should create a folder with your insurance policy information that you can take with you. Or at the minimum plug the insurance phone number you call to report a claim into your smart phone.
KEEP AN ITEMIZED LIST OF PERSONAL PROPERTY
Next, keep an inventory list with your personal property along side your insurance information. If your home were to be destroyed in a hurricane it will be difficult, if not nearly impossible for you to inventory all your personal property. Create an inventory list of your personal property. You claims process will go much quicker and smoothly if you have this itemized list of personal property already created.
CHECK YOUR FLOOD INSURANCE
As the Bahamas witnessed when a powerful hurricane hits land there is a large storm surge that causes an immense amount of flooding. Houses and buildings in low lying areas are particularly susceptible to this damage. The storm surge coupled with the excessive rainfall creates dangerous flood levels. Often times it is the flooding that causes more damage to houses and buildings than the hurricane winds. The heat and humidity in Florida only exacerbate any flood damage with the mold that stays behind after the water levels return to normal. When you review your homeowner’s insurance policy, you should review it to look at your flood policy. Nearly all homeowner’s insurance policy’s exclude flood damage and require a separate rider. If you do not purchase this rider your insurance will exclude you from coverage for any flood damage. This is true even if a hurricane is what caused the flooding from the excessive rain.
If you do not have a flood insurance rider you should consider purchasing one. Even after you purchase flood insurance there is thirty (30) day waiting period before the insurance policy kicks in. Flood insurance can cover quite a bit of expenses that arise due to flooding. One inch of water in a home or apartment can cause $25,000 worth of damage and flooding is the most common natural disaster. Consumer reports lays our everything flood insurance covers, what it does not cover, and why you should consider it if you do not have it.
WHAT IF YOU’RE NOT SURE IF YOU HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE?
If you do not live in a flood zone and you are not sure if you have flood insurance, call your insurance agent. They will be able to confirm whether you have it. If you do not have it, they can help you obtain a flood policy.
Insurance is a very detail-oriented business. It is important that you remain detailed for if disaster strikes. As Benjamin Frankly stated, “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
If you ever find yourself in predicament or fight with your insurance company, call us at (561)295-5825. We pride ourselves in fighting for justice.