AAA shares insurance advice for Florida residents

From AAA

The Auto Club Group is providing advice to help residents who may have suffered either wind or flood damage from Hurricane Helene. 

“Once conditions are safe to do so, begin assessing your property, take pictures of any damage, and contact your insurance provider immediately to begin the claims process,” said Jennifer Pintacuda, President of AAA’s Florida-based insurance provider. “Many providers like AAA offer multiple ways to file a claim, whether that be over the phone, online or a mobile app.”

Filing an Insurance Claim

To file a claim, residents should contact their insurance provider directly. Floridians who have insurance provided by AAA can visit AAA.com/Claims for information on filing a claim for home, auto and flood policies.

Flooded Vehicles

Widespread flooding will likely result in significant damage to vehicles. Flooding is often covered by “comprehensive” auto insurance policies. However, because Floridians are not required to carry this coverage option, some may not be protected. 

When a car has been partially or completely submerged, AAA recommends the following:

• Do not attempt to start a vehicle if the water level rose above the door opening and the interior of the car is wet. Doing so could cause irreversible damage to your vehicle’s engine and other components.
• Take photos from the exterior of the vehicle. Do not open the doors if the water levels are still high. 
• Once the waters have receded, take photos of the interior.
• Contact your insurance provider.
• Have your vehicle towed to a mechanic for a full inspection to ensure it’s safe to be driven.

Avoid Self-Inflicted Flood Damage While Driving

• Do not drive down flooded streets. You may not realize how deep the water is or what’s lurking underneath.
• If you drive through a flooded area, with water above your doors and your engine cuts off, do not try to restart it. Doing so could flood the engine. Instead, quickly exit the vehicle and go to a safe location to call for help.

Wind vs. Water Damage to your Home

Damage caused by wind and debris is covered by a residents’ homeowners insurance policy. However, that policy does not cover flood damage to the interior of your home. Flooding is covered by flood insurance, which is a separate policy provided by National Flood Insurance Program managed by FEMA or other private flood insurance providers.

Without flood insurance, homeowners could apply for federal disaster assistance via a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Unlike claims payments for flood insurance SBA loans must be repaid.

What to do if you suffered damage to your home

1. Document damage as soon as possible. Take photographs and videos for your insurance claim and personal records. The more documentation you have, the easier it is to file your claim.
2. Prevent further damage. Do only what’s necessary to prevent further damage, such as covering broken windows with plastic or getting a professional to cover the roof with tarps to keep rain out.
3. Document expenses and keep receipts for any preliminary repairs, displacement or other out-of-pocket expenses related to the claim, which can count toward your deductible. This could include tree removal, tarps, ice chests for food, overnight stay in a hotel, etc.
4. Contact your insurance company immediately to begin the claims process.
5. Be leery of contractors who go door-to-door offering repair services and promising to file an insurance claim on your behalf.
6. Hire a licensed contractor to do the repairs after an insurance adjuster has reviewed the damage.

Be Leery of Unlicensed or Deceptive Contractors

AAA cautions residents about the potential of contractor fraud. The aftermath of a hurricane or other severe storm creates the opportunity for scammers and unlicensed contractors to take advantage of those who need help.

Dishonest contractors may try to profit by:

• Accepting payment then never completing (or even showing up for) the job.
• Using inferior materials or performing work that’s not up to code.

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Contractor shows up unsolicited.
• Points out damage you have not previously noticed.
• Asks for full payment up front and/or in cash only.
• Promises services at no charge to you or offers to waive your insurance deductible.
• Pressures you to encourage your family, friends, or neighbors to hire them for services.
• Offers you a discount for letting them use leftover materials from a previous job.

AAA’s Advice

• Before hiring someone to make repairs, contact your insurance company to file your claim and ensure the damage is covered by your policy.
• Don’t sign any paperwork or authorize a contractor to start work until after your insurance company reviews the damages.
• Get itemized written estimates from at least three different licensed, insured contractors before hiring someone for the job.

Check the Contractor’s Credentials

Do not allow a contractor to inspect your property, including your roof, until you have verified that they are licensed and insured.

• Verify the contractor has an active, valid Florida license at www.MyFloridaLicense.com.
• Check for complaints filed against him or her on the Better Business Bureau’s website at www.BBB.org.

About AAA – The Auto Club Group

The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, banking and financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 64 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, get the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.