Preparing Your Insurance Claim After a Hurricane in Fort Lauderdale

There are few things more traumatic and life-altering than extreme weather. You might wake up one day to find your home is barely standing. Perhaps you were forced to evacuate, and you returned to find your residence completely gone. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to act efficiently if you find yourself in this situation. Here are a few steps you should take when preparing your Fort Lauderdale insurance claims after a hurricane.

Team Up With a Property Insurance Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale 

For many, the first step is to speak with a property insurance lawyer in Fort Lauderdale. While working with a lawyer to file an insurance claim is not mandatory, it could be a helpful choice – particularly if you are unfamiliar with this process. Remember, a simple mistake on your claim can lead to delays or rejections. It makes sense to ensure your claim is perfect before sending it off to your provider – and this is something an insurance lawyer can assist with.

Gather Evidence 

You will need to move quickly in order to ensure positive results. As soon as you become aware of the hurricane damage, gather evidence of your losses and notify your insurer. Evidence might include photographs of the destruction and any financial documents that highlight the value of your home.

Your insurance claim may be easier to resolve if you take “before-and-after” photographs of your home. Obviously, this requires some advance planning – and it may be impossible if the storm has already passed. If you are preparing to leave your home due to an approaching storm, however, snap a few photographs of the exterior before you evacuate. When you return, take new photographs of the damage. When viewed side-by-side, these photographs show not only the extent of the damage, but the fact it was caused by the storm.

Hold Off on Repairs – But Consider Preventing Further Damage 

As a general rule, you should not attempt to make any repairs to the property until you hear back from the insurer. If you make these repairs, the insurer could claim that it was never damaged in the first place. That being said, you should also prevent the residence from incurring further damage. Although these two instructions might seem counterintuitive, you may be liable for allowing damage to occur once you become aware of your home’s state. Speak with a lawyer to learn more about how to approach a damaged home while you wait for an update on your claim.

 Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Property Insurance Lawyers Today

At Geyer Fuxa Tyler, our legal team is made up of a diverse combination of attorneys who are well-positioned to protect the legal rights and financial interests of policyholders. If your property insurance claim was denied, we can help. For a free consultation, please call us today at (954) 990-5251. With an office in Sunrise, we represent policyholders in Broward County and throughout the state of Florida.

Sources:

 edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/DH199

palmbeachpost.com/story/news/state/2024/11/25/citizens-insurance-why-half-of-2023-claims-closed-without-payment/76485207007/