Steps To File An Effective Insurance Claim After Hurricane Sally
Without doubt, Hurricane Sally was a catastrophic storm. However, the Gulf Coast will recover and prosper, as we always do. We are here to assist you in every way we can.
Hurricanes are one of the most destructive forces on the planet, often destroying everything in their wake. While many hurricane victims are left with a sense of shock, and not much else, all is not lost. Your home insurance will confirm how much of the damages to your home will be covered. Unfortunately, insurance companies often attempt to underpay insurance claims, leaving homeowners to foot the bills.
Wesley, McGrail & Wesley is a team of dedicated Florida lawyers who want you to know what steps you can take to help ensure that you receive the maximum payout from your insurance company. We all live on the Gulf Coast. We all have been ravaged by storms in the past. We have fought insurance companies for decades. Let us help you get full recovery for your losses.
1. Act Promptly
When you file an insurance claim, the key is to gather as much relevant information as possible. You need to contact your insurance agent as soon as possible in order to begin the process as soon as possible. Insurance companies manage claims based on who filed first, so the sooner you act, the better.
2. Document Thoroughly
As you return to your home, make sure that it is safe to enter the home and that the power is off. Once you are inside your home, document everything. You should build a claim journal and add as much photographic and video footage to it as possible. Attempt to locate historical photographs proving the condition of your property.
The insurer’s inspection and your footage will be the major basis of what your insurance pays. Once you have gathered all the footage of your home, and the inspection is complete, protect your home from any further damage that can muddle your claims process.
3. Stay In Touch
Your next step is to keep in close touch with your insurer. When you maintain constant communication with your insurance company, you keep yourself from missing any important steps. Some insurance agencies even offer a SMS/text message feature to give you constant updates on your claim. You can also request all copies of estimates and reports from the insurance company adjuster as another method to keep on top of things.
You Don’t Have To Work With Your Insurance Company Alone
If your insurance company is not responding in a timely manner, is making unreasonable demands or is delaying your claim, hire an attorney. The attorneys of Wesley, McGrail & Wesley know that you know your home better than anyone else. If you don’t feel comfortable with how your claims process is going, it is perfectly common to get the aid of an attorney to help you.
If you were in an area affected by a hurricane – such as Panama City, Callaway, Mexico Beach, Blountstown, Wewahitchka, Port St. Joe, Apalachicola, Tallahassee, Marianna, Monticello or any other Panhandle town – contact us today at 850-244-0999 for a free consultation and advice on how to manage your claim.
If a successful claim is brought against your insurance company, they will be responsible for paying any attorney’s fees incurred.