The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation recommends that homeowners don't throw out any damaged personal belongings until after an insurance adjuster from their insurance company has surveyed them. | By Andrea Booher, FEMA/Wikimedia Commons
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) advises residents in The Villages to find all their homeowners’, auto and flood insurance policies before a storm hits and store them in a secure, waterproof location – but they also have tips for what to do after your home sustains damage.
“The OIR is committed to protecting consumers, especially those who have suffered a loss from a storm,” Karen Kees, Florida OIR spokesperson, told Insurance Rate Reporter.
Document all damaged property and belongings.
If a hurricane makes landfall and causes wind damage, or if a named storm causes a storm surge that floods the home, take photos or shoot video footage before any attempt at even temporary repairs.
“When you file an insurance claim, you may be asked for visual documentation of damages,” Kees said.
A photographic home inventory works well, and you can download a free app (iPhone or iPad only, other home inventory apps are available for iOS and Android devices) from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to help take and store a room-by-room log of photos.
Contact your insurance company or insurance agent as soon as possible to report damages.
Insurance policies require prompt reporting of claims, so it is important to act as soon as possible, the Florida OIR told Insurance Rate Reporter. Find your property insurance company’s website and contact information online. And visit this site for a list of licensed insurance agents in Florida.
Ask about filing claims virtually.
“Be sure to ask your insurer about the availability of virtual claims handling due to social distancing protocols and other COVID-19 safety measures,” Nees wrote in the Florida OIR tips. Insurers had been issued a memorandum telling them to figure out what claims processes can be handled virtually, encouraging them to use technology to protect policyholders’ health.
Cover exposed damage areas.
The Florida OIR recommends that homeowners cover any damaged areas that may be exposed to the elements to prevent additional damage. The expense to do that may be reimbursed by your insurance company, so keep all receipts. In addition, don’t throw out damaged personal property before an insurance adjuster has had a chance to survey it.
Speak to your insurance company before signing documents.
Make sure that you contact your insurance company before singing documents for repairs that might contain an assignments of benefits (AOB). Don’t feel pressured to sign it but read it carefully and ask many questions, the Florida OIR advises.
Customers can cancel an AOB without penalties or fees by providing signed, written notice that they want to cancel it at certain points during the repair process. AOB reform measures that took effect in 2019 enabled consumers to do this. Before you even look at the documents visit the Florida OIR website that provides consumer resources and tips to follow before signing an AOB.
Any consumer with questions about their insurance coverage or the claims filing process can call the Department of Financial Services, Division of Consumer Services’ Insurance Helpline. Helpline experts can be reached by calling 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236), or online here.
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