Introduction
Beryl caused nearly 2 million homes and businesses and 23 deaths from heat exhaustion from the power outages and drowning from the flood. Areas in Houston, Galveston, and Matagorda are recovering from Hurricane Beryl. One of the most critical tips for the aftermath is to file insurance claims.
Our goal in this blog post is to help you navigate through each step of the way to understand your insurance claims. After Hurricane Beryl affected your personal property, these guidelines will help you deal with losses and minor repairs.
Tips to take for your insurance claim process
1. Safety First
Before you inspect the damage, please check if the area is safe. After storms, hazardous objects such as sharp objects and electrical currents might be present. Due to the potential dangers in certain areas, please take additional safety precautions such as protective gear.
2. Documenting the Damage
Start by documenting the damaged areas by taking photos and videos. Be sure to upload the images and videos to your cloud, computer, emails, and anything digital and to provide different angles and clear pictures of them.
3. Keeping Receipts
Keep all of the receipts that you purchase for emergency purposes and to repair any damages that Hurricane Beryl caused.
4. Avoid Contractors Scams
Be careful of fake contractors who offer to repair any damages you may have from Hurricane Beryl. Some people will seek to take advantage.
How do you prepare to seek an insurance adjuster after a hurricane?
Before going to an insurance adjuster, go to your insurance provider and show them your documentation of the property damages. After providing them with information, make sure to have your insurance policy and claim number ready. When you meet with an insurance adjuster, be transparent with them by providing all of your documentation. Documentation should include your repair estimate and communication records with your insurance company, such as a log of the dates and times and who you spoke with. However, be sure that the report the insurance adjuster provided aligns with the documentation you gave them.
What would be the best way to understand your insurance policy?
It is essential to know what is covered and what isn't; below, you'll see what you could look for that could apply to the Hurricane Beryl damages:
If your items are damaged, this will cover the inside of your home, such as clothing, electronics, and furniture.
Be sure that your insurance policy covers parts of your home, from your roof to flooring, caused by natural disasters. It is essential because if your home has experienced flood damage due to Hurricane Beryl, this will help cover the costs without paying out of pocket.
Why did your insurance company deny your hurricane claim?
There are different reasons why your insurance company turned down your hurricane claim. We recommend documenting everything that was damaged. To do this, you should take multiple photos and videos from different angles of the damage to your property.
Although there’s been false information that says that all policies are the same, the truth is that there are a lot of limitations within an insurance policy that may cause you to lose your insurance claim.
Why choose Vargas Gonzalez Delombard, LLP?
Working with one of our property damage lawyers at Vargas Gonzalez Delombard, LLP, we provide honest and quality legal service to help you navigate these issues.
If you are looking for legal help, book a free consultation today. It is available to all Texans and Texas residents.
