Hurricane Season Starts June 1st. Here’s the One Thing Smart Florida Homeowners Do Before It Arrives
Every year around this time, the conversation about hurricane preparedness picks up. People stock up on water and batteries, check their generators, and tape up windows. All of that is useful. But there’s one step that most homeowners skip entirely, and it’s the one that could have the biggest impact on what happens after a storm.
Getting a pre-loss inspection before hurricane season starts.
The argument insurers make after a storm
When a homeowner files a hurricane claim, one of the most common responses from the insurance company is that the damage was pre-existing. Maybe the roof was already compromised. Maybe the window seal was already failing. Maybe the issue would have shown up regardless of the storm.
Without documentation of your home’s condition before the storm hit, that argument is very difficult to counter. You may know the damage wasn’t there before, but proving it is another matter.
A pre-loss inspection solves this problem before it exists. A licensed professional documents your home’s current condition in detail, creating a clear baseline that shows exactly what was and wasn’t damaged prior to any storm event.
What gets documented in a pre-season inspection
A thorough inspection covers the components of your home that are most vulnerable during a hurricane: the roof surface, flashing, and gutters; exterior walls and siding; windows and door seals; outbuildings, fencing, and any detached structures; and the drainage and grading around your foundation.
Any issues identified can be addressed before the season starts, which is good for your home and may also reduce your insurance risk. More importantly, everything that’s in good condition gets documented, so there’s no room for dispute later.
Your policy may not cover what you think it does
A pre-season consultation is also a good opportunity to review your coverage. Many homeowners haven’t looked closely at their policy in years. Construction costs have risen considerably, and a home insured for its value from several years ago may be significantly underinsured today. Knowing your actual coverage before a storm is far better than discovering the gap when you’re filing a claim.
The timing matters
After a named storm, public adjusters are in high demand. By scheduling a pre-loss inspection now, you get ahead of the rush and go into hurricane season with documentation already in hand.
Schedule your pre-season inspection with Global Public Adjusters before hurricane season begins at globaladjustersfla.com.
