After a storm, many people don’t know what steps to take to restore their property. You may have a vague idea of what to do (like contacting your insurance provider and hiring someone to fix the damage), but you may not know what this actually looks like.
Here are some helpful steps you can take to ensure your property is restored after a damaging storm.
Take an Inventory of the Damage
Before hiring a property restoration company or even contacting your insurance provider, you’ll first need to take a detailed inventory of the damage caused by the hurricane. This will include creating a written list, taking photos of the damage, and shooting video. If you are reading this before a storm, make sure you create a detailed inventory beforehand so you can show the “before and after” of your damaged property.
Reach Out to Your Insurance Provider
After you’ve prepared your inventory, reach out to your insurance company and file your claim. Be as detailed as possible, and make sure you answer all of their questions to the best of your ability. If you need help with filing your claim, reach out to Colucci Law Group for support. We can help you to properly file your claim and get the best payout possible.
Once you file your claim, your insurance provider should contact you within 90 days. If it’s been 90 days and you haven’t heard back, reach out to them to check in.
Your insurance provider may send out a claims adjuster to check out the damage. Having a detailed inventory of your property can be extremely helpful when working with your adjuster, as it will provide them with the information they need to properly report the damage that has occurred.
In an ideal scenario, your insurance company will then pay your claim in full. If they decide to deny your claim or pay you less than what you are owed, reach out to Colucci Law Group for support in fighting the bad-faith claim denial.
Hire a Restoration Company
After you’ve spoken with your insurance company and gotten a better understanding of what your settlement should look like, it’s time to shop around for a restoration company.
When you search online, look for companies with good online reviews, the proper certifications (like IICRC), and excellent references. You’ll also need to check that the company is properly licensed and insured.
Consider shopping around before moving forward and get multiple quotes. Also, inquire about the process and the timeline for completion. Finally, make sure you read the contract thoroughly before the restoration begins.
Some additional tips include:
- Hire the company as soon as you can to prevent further damage
- Document the damage before the restoration begins with videos and photos
- Keep in touch with both the adjuster and the restoration company and communicate regularly
- Make sure everything is in writing before the job begins, even if the details seem small
While this all may seem like a hassle, it will be worth it in the end.
Reach Out to Colucci Law Group If Your Insurance Company Denies Your Claim in Bad Faith
If you’ve properly filed your claim on time and your insurance provider decides to deny your claim in bad faith, reach out to Colucci Law Group for support.
Colucci Law Group consists of legal experts who provide clients with support to fight bad faith claim denials. We will provide you with an outstanding property insurance lawyer to represent you in a suit against your insurance provider. We are also able to file your claim for you and defend your rights, so you get the settlement that you deserve.
For more information about our property insurance legal services, reach out today. We’d be happy to help you to file your claim or represent you in a lawsuit against your insurance provider.
If you suspect that you are the victim of a bad-faith insurance claim denial, we can help. The Colucci Law Group has the resources to assess the validity of your claim at no cost to you. For a free consultation, email us or call our Dunedin office at 727-733-9438. You may also call our Fort Myers office at 239-378-7800. Our team assists victims of bad-faith insurance claims across the state of Florida.