Isaias Is Expected to Become a Hurricane. Get Your Insurance Claim Ready Now
Tropical Storm Isaias formed in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday morning, and the National Hurricane Center expects it to strengthen quickly into the first hurricane of the season. It’s forecast to come ashore late Friday night or early Saturday between southeast Louisiana and the western Florida Panhandle, with Mobile Bay, Pensacola, and Destin all in the cone. Storm surge is the biggest coastal threat near and east of where it lands, along with damaging winds, power outages, and tornadoes in the outer bands.
Farther down the coast, Tampa Bay and much of the Florida peninsula could see 2 to 4 inches of rain and rough surf. A storm like this produces a lot of insurance claims across a wide area, and plenty of them end up in dispute.
We work for policyholders, not insurance companies. Our job is to make sure you get paid fairly for what your policy covers. Here’s how to set yourself up for that, starting today.
Before the storm
Find your policy and write down your policy number, your carrier’s claims phone number, and your coverage limits. Then walk through your property and take photos and video of every room, plus the roof, siding, and windows outside. Make sure the files are dated. This is your proof of what the property looked like before Isaias.
Right after the storm
Once it’s safe, take reasonable steps to prevent more damage, like tarping a leaking roof or pulling up soaked carpet. Most policies require it. Keep every receipt for materials and labor, since those costs are usually reimbursable. Photograph the damage before you clean anything up.
When you file
Report the claim promptly. Insurers set deadlines for notice, and missing them can cause problems later. Don’t sign a release or accept a final settlement until the full extent of the damage has been assessed. Water damage in particular often shows up inside walls and under floors days or weeks after the storm.
When the adjuster comes out
Ask the insurance company’s adjuster for a detailed, itemized estimate, not just a total. Keep your communication in writing, or follow up every phone call with a short email summarizing what was said. If the numbers look low, you have the right to bring in a licensed public adjuster to review the claim.
Watch for wind versus flood disputes
This is one of the most common problems after a hurricane. Standard property policies generally cover wind and wind-driven rain but exclude flooding. When a storm brings surge, rain, and wind all at once, damage sometimes gets labeled as flood and denied. If you believe wind or rain caused your damage, document it carefully and don’t accept that label without question.
Global Public Adjusters is ready to stand with homeowners and business owners across Florida. If you have questions about your coverage, or a claim that doesn’t look right, call us for a free claim review. Until then, stay safe and get your paperwork together while the weather is still calm.
