Get ready for heavy winds, Florida!

Hurricane season is right around the corner. Best case scenario? You have to deal with wet clothing. Worst case scenario, you have to contend with hurricane damage to your home, along with possible power outages and other issues that hurricanes bring.

Below is more information about how you can prep for hurricane season, what to do if a hurricane damages your property, and who you can call if your insurance company is trying to deny your claim in bad faith…

Prepping for Hurricane Season

There are some simple steps that you can take to prepare for hurricane season. Below are a few quick tips:

1. Take Photos Beforehand

It’s always good to have up-to-date photos of your property in case your home is later damaged by a hurricane. This before and after helps to better show your insurance provider the amount of damage that the hurricane caused.

2. Store Your Emergency Documents in an Easily Accessible Place

Your birth certificate, social security number, and even your pet vet records should be kept in a safe place that you can access quickly in case you need to evacuate. To be extra safe, consider a fire-resistant folder for these documents.

3. Have Cash on Hand

If the electricity goes down, so do credit card machines. It’s good to have some cash on hand in case you need to leave your home, buy food, and even get a hotel room.

4. Pack Five Days of Water and Non-Perishables

Water and non-perishable food are essential for emergency prep. This includes storm prep. You can purchase rations that last upwards of 25 years and simply store them somewhere safe. Then, if the time should come, you have food and water ready.

5. Battery Flashlights and Radio

If your electricity goes out, you need to be able to see and check the radio for updates. Purchase battery-powered flashlights, a radio, and even battery-powered lanterns. You can also consider purchasing a crank radio/flashlight combo device.

6. Prune Your Trees

Make sure you keep your trees trimmed and pick up and dispose of the trimmings properly. You don’t want those tree branches to become projectiles during an emergency.

7. Purchase Emergency Shutters

Hurricane shutters are much more resilient than wood shutters and will help to protect your property during a hurricane. If you don’t already have them, invest in some emergency shutters.

What Do I Do After a Hurricane?

If a hurricane hits and it damages your property, make sure you file a claim immediately. Document any damage to your property and belongings. Be thorough, with plenty of photos and videos. Also, make sure you record communications with your insurance company. You want to have a record ready in case you need to use it in court.

What If My Insurance Company Doesn’t Want to Pay?

If you’ve taken the right steps—including snapping photos beforehand, documenting any damage, filing your claim on time, and all of the other required steps to get a payment—and your insurance provider denies your claim in bad faith, reach out to Colucci Law Group to seek the money you are owed.

Colucci Law Group consists of legal experts that provide clients with support to combat bad faith claim denials. We will provide you with an experienced 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 Clearwater 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.