Your insurance company has not forgotten about the damages paid out in previous years. Policy owners in effected coastal and hurricane zone areas have seen rate increases year after year to pay for past losses and payouts for property damages. As a result, now is the time for home and property owners to evaluate their property casualty insurance to assure that they are covered in case of storm damage loss. Historically The worst storms form from August through October.

Images are of your property are important. Take pictures and video of you personal property and Real Estate. Make sure the insurance company can see the condition of your house before the storm.

Maintain trees and shrubbery and other outside objects in a safe location – trees and shrubbery branches often become trajectories during a storm, and uprooted trees can actually impale both your home and that of neighbors.

Take photos immediately after the storm of damages – It is critical to take photos to show any immediate damages to property and personal property to disclose the causation factor. In other words, the storm caused the damages. Many times insurance companies will attempt to deny damages.

Keep your important documents and records in a safe place – A small lock box, or hand held file carrier can be transported easily and is a safe way to transport records and documents with you if you are required to evacuate your house.

If you lose power, save all receipts for food, hotels, and other expenses – If you are forced to evacuate your home quickly by authorities as a result of a pending storm; make sure you save your out of pocket expenses for spoiled food, hotel stays, and other expenses for having to leave your home.

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible – Don’t wait to contact your insurance company to see if there are damages, most likely the insurance company will be swamped with calls for damages; get inline and contact your insurance carrier to assess your damages.

Keep time for how long it takes you to clean-up. It may reimbursable. – Keep a small notebook and write down your daily expenses for being out of your home. Things such as hotel, gas, and even food receipts may be reimbursable under your policy.

Write down the date and name of the insurance adjuster that visited your home. – It is critical when an insurance adjuster visits your home that they have the correct licenses and general liability coverages required for your state. Insurance companies rarely track as closely as they should. Dates and times may become a key issue if the case goes to court.

Make sure you are given a claim number by the insurance company – Once you contact your insurance company ask them for a claim number and note the time and date of your call and if possible the person you spoke with on the phone. Note every call you make to the insurance company regarding your claim.

Do not sign any contracts or documents that say ‘release’ – If your insurance company ask you to sign a release with a check- don’t do it ! Damages can sometimes manifest themselves months after your loss. It is important you realize that you may have latent damages to your home that may not be outwardly visible in the hours and days right after the storm.

If you feel you have been underpaid on your claim contact an attorney that specializes in first party contract claims. Insurance companies are in business because they take in more then they pay out, and the first pass of reimbursement for damages may not amount to what you are due under the policy for final damages as a result of your loss.

If you feel you have been underpaid on your claim contact an attorney, your insurance commissioner, or even a public adjuster if your state allows that specializes in first party contract claims. Insurance companies are in business because they take in more then they pay out, and the first pass of reimbursement for damages may not amount to what you are due under the policy for final damages as a result of your loss.

Do you have hurricane damage call Attorney Chris Lim at (800) 979-1937 or visit the website at Tampa Bay Lawyers. CHris has experience helping home owners as well as condo associations with there legal calims. For help in Ohio call Cleveland lawyers KNR Legal.