Families whose homes were damaged or destroyed during Monday’s tornadoes are in various stages of the long process of rebuilding their lives, which includes filing insurance claims. The sooner homeowners do this after a disaster like this one, the faster the overall recovery process will be.”Get the claim file opened and then the insurance adjuster that’s assigned to your case will walk you through the steps, and that may include taking photos,” said Insurance Information Institute spokesman Mark Friedlander.Be sure to also doublecheck your policy since it may include living expenses if you have to stay somewhere else while your home is repaired or rebuilt.Keep any receipts for out of pocket expenses like boarding up your windows or putting tarp on your roof because you may get reimbursed.Lastly, if your car was damaged by any flying debris or trees that came down, you’ll have to file a separate claim with your car insurance company.”And in order for that to be covered by your auto policy, you need to have what’s called comprehensive auto,” Friedlander said. “Comprehensive covers all storm damage.”WESH 2 Investigates has reported extensively on Florida’s volatile and complex home insurance market over the years. According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurance companies are in a good spot right now.”The market is in a strong capital position. It is able to handle major loss events, including yesterday’s tornado and upcoming events, which will most likely occur during hurricane season,” Friedlander said. “Call your agent, walk through your policy, identify any gaps and make those adjustments now long before hurricane season begins.”Severe weather can pop up throughout the year in Central Florida, so being prepared now can help speed up the process if you ever have to file a claim.Check in with your agent once a year about your policy to make sure you’ve got adequate coverage, shop around for flood insurance, and create a home inventory checklist that includes pictures of your property and valuables.The Florida Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights outlines your rights as a homeowner and requires insurance companies to acknowledged they’ve received your claim within seven days of you filing it. The insurance companies then have up to two months to pay or deny a claim.
Families whose homes were damaged or destroyed during Monday’s tornadoes are in various stages of the long process of rebuilding their lives, which includes filing insurance claims. The sooner homeowners do this after a disaster like this one, the faster the overall recovery process will be.
“Get the claim file opened and then the insurance adjuster that’s assigned to your case will walk you through the steps, and that may include taking photos,” said Insurance Information Institute spokesman Mark Friedlander.
Be sure to also doublecheck your policy since it may include living expenses if you have to stay somewhere else while your home is repaired or rebuilt.
Keep any receipts for out of pocket expenses like boarding up your windows or putting tarp on your roof because you may get reimbursed.
Lastly, if your car was damaged by any flying debris or trees that came down, you’ll have to file a separate claim with your car insurance company.
“And in order for that to be covered by your auto policy, you need to have what’s called comprehensive auto,” Friedlander said. “Comprehensive covers all storm damage.”
WESH 2 Investigates has reported extensively on Florida’s volatile and complex home insurance market over the years. According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurance companies are in a good spot right now.
“The market is in a strong capital position. It is able to handle major loss events, including yesterday’s tornado and upcoming events, which will most likely occur during hurricane season,” Friedlander said. “Call your agent, walk through your policy, identify any gaps and make those adjustments now long before hurricane season begins.”
Severe weather can pop up throughout the year in Central Florida, so being prepared now can help speed up the process if you ever have to file a claim.
Check in with your agent once a year about your policy to make sure you’ve got adequate coverage, shop around for flood insurance, and create a home inventory checklist that includes pictures of your property and valuables.
The Florida Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights outlines your rights as a homeowner and requires insurance companies to acknowledged they’ve received your claim within seven days of you filing it. The insurance companies then have up to two months to pay or deny a claim.
Alice J. Roden started working for Trending Insurance News at the end of 2021. Alice grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. A writer with a vast insurance industry background Alice has help with several of the biggest insurance companies. Before joining Trending Insurance News, Alice briefly worked as a freelance journalist for several radio stations. She covers home, renters and other property insurance stories.