Kvekhdria Pyrnathos 
Managing property damage in Florida can be demanding, particularly when it comes to the difficulty of the insurance claim process. If your home has incurred damage from a hurricane, flood, fire, or some other calamity, you can’t afford to miss any steps in the process if you want to ensure that the settlement you receive is as high as it can possibly be.
After all, paying for the damages and recovery following an incident on your property can require a lot of financial resources.
With that in mind (and with the help of our friends at (Cernitz Law in Florida), we put together a simple-to-understand strategy for getting the most out of your insurance claim.
Evaluate Your Policy Thoroughly
Prior to submitting a claim, meticulously go through your coverage policy. Know what is protected, the limits of your policy, and what is not covered. Focus especially on the deductible and any language related to acts of nature.
In Florida, hurricane deductibles often work differently than standard deductibles, which may or may not apply to a Florida hurricane. Knowing your specific coverage details lets you set realistic expectations for what will happen next.
Document the Damage Immediately
Following a disaster, it is important to record the damage as soon as possible. Use a camera or video recording device that has a high resolution to capture images of all the impacted areas, both within the confines of the structure and outside. These images will serve as irrefutable evidence of the great extent to which you were harmed and of the impaired condition of your property.
Now is also the time to mentally inventory your belongings and catalog for the insurance adjuster any items that were damaged, the value of which you should estimate if you are able.
Prevent Further Damage
Homeowner’s insurance mandates that insured parties reduce or avert further damages after an incident. This can mean many things, depending on the type of damage your home has sustained and the number of incidents (like severe weather) that it’s had to endure.
Here are just a few common examples:
- Cover broken windows
- Tarp the roof
- Dry out the water
- Keep all receipts
File Your Claim Promptly
When filing an insurance claim in Florida, being on time is vital. The insurance claims specialists at Cernitz Law in Florida inform us that most policies have specific timelines for when they require you to report that you’ve sustained damages, and those timelines can be quite short.
As soon as you know that you’re going to need to file a claim, get in touch with your insurance company.
And when you contact them, make sure that you’re ready with all of the necessary paperwork. The more clear-cut your situation is, the more efficiently they can handle your claim.
Consider Legal Assistance if Necessary
If your claim is being delayed, underpaid, or unfairly denied by your insurance company, consult a property insurance attorney immediately. Florida law protects homeowners from bad faith practices, and attorneys who work in this area help consumers challenge settlement practices that are just plain unfair.
If You Are Looking to Get the Most Out of Your Settlement, Consult with Cernitz Law in Florida
To get the maximum property insurance payout in Florida, you need to be thorough, meticulous, and a bit strategic. The most important thing is to know exactly what your insurance policy says and to document everything about your property and the damage to it.
Finally, only work with reputable professionals, specifically experienced legal experts, if you run into any problems or pushback from the company responsible for paying your claim.
