
What to Do After a Hurricane
We hope you and your family safely weathered Hurricane Milton and are beginning the process of recovery. At Lakewood Financial Services, our agents are facing the same challenges you are, but we are committed to offering the best customer service we can during this difficult time.
We’ve talked a lot about what to do before a hurricane hits (click here or here), but we haven’t discussed what to do afterwards. Here are a few tips for what to do after a hurricane hits your community.
Prioritize safety. After a disaster, whether or not you evacuated, put personal safety first when it comes to inspecting your property. Avoid downed power lines, and don’t walk or drive through flood waters—they could hide unseen obstacles or live wires. Use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns instead of candles or lighters in case of a gas leak. Use extreme caution when inspecting for structural damage.
Document storm damage. When it’s safe to do so, take pictures and video of any damage to your home or belongings. Be as detailed as possible, showing different angles, and capturing any brand names and model numbers. If you can locate receipts for high-value items, that can help with your claim. Now is the time to use your home inventory if you’ve created one. (Learn how to create a home inventory here.)
Take action to prevent more damage. You shouldn’t make permanent repairs to your property until you consult your insurance company, but you should take action as necessary to keep more damage from happening. You might need to board up a broken window, or secure a tarp over a damaged roof, for example. Keep receipts if you buy anything for this purpose.
File your insurance claim. If you have damage you expect will exceed your hurricane deductible (see below), even if you don’t know the full extent of it, you may want to get the insurance claims process started as soon as possible. Contact your insurance company by phone, online, or through their app.
Remember that your hurricane deductible is typically a percentage of the value of your home, usually two to five percent. Example: if your home is worth $500,000, a two-percent hurricane deductible would be $10,000. Your homeowners insurance will begin paying for your losses after they reach that threshold.
Also remember that while damage from wind and wind-driven rain is covered by homeowners insurance, flooding is not. Flood coverage requires a separate policy.
Note: If your vehicle is damaged or destroyed by flooding, and you carry comprehensive coverage, your auto insurance may pay for repairs, less your deductible.
Be patient. Remember that hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by Hurricane Milton (and Hurricane Helene before that), including your neighbors, insurance agents and adjusters, and the professionals who will do the actual repair work. Don’t be afraid to make inquiries about your claim if you need to, but remember that representatives are likely stressed and doing the best they can.
Stay hopeful! Coming through a hurricane is traumatic and the process of hurricane recovery is often slow and exhausting. While it will take time, we will get through this.
We understand the financial and material impact of Hurricane Milton will be with us for a long time. As we all work together to recover, Lakewood Financial Services is here to help you find the right home, flood, auto, and business insurance for your needs. Please call us at 941-747-4600 or contact us online if you need a quote, or you have questions about your existing coverage.
Categories: Blog
Tags: damage, Hurricane, hurricane deductible, insurance claim, storm