Where Do I Start?
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After the Storm: Know Your Rights!
Review Your Insurance Coverage
- Review each of your insurance policies to see if they may cover some or all of your damage.
- Pay attention to coverage limits and deductibles as well as peril-specific exclusions (such as wind or flood exclusions).
Notify Your Insurance Companies
- Your policy may specify procedures for giving notice to the insurer.
Document Your Loss
- Take photographs and videos of the damage – both to your home and to your personal property.
- Compile an inventory of damaged personal property items, including the age, approximate value, and description of each item. If you have receipts for any damaged items, gather and save them.
- Make emergency repairs. Do what is necessary to secure your property and prevent further damage, but notify your insurer before making any major repairs (if possible).
- Save all estimates, receipts, invoices, cancelled checks, and credit card statements documenting the value of the repairs and what you spend to make them.
- Obtain written proof of payment from your contractor for labor and materials.
- Take photographs and videos of the repairs periodically during reconstruction.
- You are entitled to retain your own experts, advisors, adjusters, estimators, and engineers – professionals who can help you document your claim and advocate for you.
- Submit your Proof of Loss to insurance company within the required timeframe.
- Even after you have submitted your Proof of Loss to the insurance company, you may be able to submit supplemental documentation and seek additional payment.
- You are entitled to a copy of your insurance policy. If you ask for it, the insurance company must provide it.
- Request a copy of your insurance adjuster’s estimate and photos as well as a copy of the insurance company’s engineering report (if applicable).
- Demand a timeline from the insurance companies. Your insurance company must complete certain tasks related to your claim within a given timeframe.