What you should know about filing an insurance claim after a hurricane

Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused devastating damage in states in the southeastern United States and on the Gulf Coast caused losses of at least $50 billion.

While the hardest-hit communities are still busy cleaning up after the devastating storms, many homeowners now face another challenge: negotiating the insurance process to ensure their rebuilding costs are covered and repair work is completed on time. Here are some important tips for making a claim.

Photos help

Ideally, people have “before” photos and videos of their home that can be compared to a series of “after” images. While this may not be possible for many affected by the storm, Patrick Hanlon, CEO of Georgia real estate company Home Buyers of Savannah, emphasized the importance of documenting the damage – and being prepared for the next storm by preparing your home the next catastrophe catalogs strikes.

“Documentation is key. Take photos and videos before a hurricane. After that, conduct a thorough search of your home and take photos and videos again,” he told CBS MoneyWatch.

Hanlon also recommends inspecting parts of a home that may not see high traffic, such as the attic. “It can take a while for a water leak to become apparent, so it’s really important to search the property thoroughly,” he said.

Know your policies

Read your insurance policy carefully and be clear about what damage is covered and what is not. Note that home insurance policies typically cover wind and general damage from hurricanes, but flooding is covered by a different type of flood insurance.

Because insurance policies can be difficult to decipher, it may be helpful to have an insurance agent review the policy together.

“They can explain to you exactly what you’re covered for and what you’re not covered for,” attorney Daniel Karon told CBS MoneyWatch.

It’s also important to know what your deductible is. If the damage to your home is minimal and inexpensive to repair, it may not be worth making a claim as your premium could increase.

“If you know this information, you will know what is worth passing along to the insurance company,” Hanlon said. “Your history with an insurance company is important because if you file a claim for every little thing, the insurance will become more expensive over time.”

Move quickly

Submit a claim as soon as possible to ensure you receive a payout as quickly as possible.

“Insurance companies can be inundated with claims. The quicker you file the claim and the more thorough it is, the more likely it is to be processed and paid out first,” Hanlon said. “You don’t want to be the person who submits a claim six months later.”

According to Mark Friedlander, communications director at the Insurance Information Institute, it’s important to at least begin the process as quickly as possible. “Even if you don’t have all the information yet, just get started,” he said.

Hire a contractor

If you want to hire a contractor to repair your property, do your homework and find a reputable contractor. Also be wary of scammers and cheap offers – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

“I bet people drive pickup trucks down the street in Florida to advertise contractors’ services,” Karon said. “They could ask for a deposit and never show up to do the work.”

Make sure the person you hire is insured and registered with the Better Business Bureau.

“Work with your insurance company to make sure they are reputable companies and never pay anyone up front,” Friedlander added.

Understand “loss of use” clauses

Most household contents insurance policies contain so-called loss of use clauses, which apply if a house becomes uninhabitable.

According to experts, some insurers are issuing checks to their customers on the spot for interim costs so that they can secure temporary accommodation.

“This pays for itself when you have a place to stay, laundry service and more,” Shannon Martin, an insurance expert at Bankrate, told CBS MoneyWatch. “If you file a claim, ask if that portion of the claim payment will be expedited so you can find accommodation.”