5 Steps to Take If Hurricane Laura Damaged Your Property

There are many ways you can prepare for the insurance claims process and increase your chances of obtaining a favorable payout amount. These include:

1. Documenting your property extensively: Be sure to take plenty of photos and videos of any hurricane property damage. Before you throw anything away, make sure the damage is well-documented so you have proof to show the adjuster. Make a list of every single item and area affected.
2. Mitigating potential additional damages: As mentioned, insurance companies and adjusters might look for ways to put the blame on you for the damage. They may try to claim you caused additional damages to lower your overall claim. If there is anything you can do to reduce (mitigate) additional property damage after the hurricane, such as boarding up windows or covering rubble with tarp, you should do so.
3. Checking the adjuster’s background and credentials: Insurance adjusters are paid to examine property damage and help the insured person with their claim. However, they should be properly licensed and certified. Be sure to check their credentials before working with them. If you can get a recommendation for an adjuster from a friend or family member, all the better.
4. Filing your claim promptly: Insurance companies will be backlogged immediately following a major event like Hurricane Laura. To avoid missing deadlines or any other delays, contact your insurance company as soon as it is safe for you to do so. Your compensation depends on when you file, as the investigation doesn’t start until you contact the insurance company. So it’s up to you to start the process quickly.
5. Consulting with a qualified hurricane lawyer: If an insurance company denied your Hurricane Laura claim, or if the outcome was unsatisfactory, contact a hurricane property damage attorney. An attorney can review your claim as well as possible legal alternatives so you get the justice you deserve. It is also recommended that you work with a hurricane lawyer at the outset, even before you file your claim. They can then help guide you through the process as you prepare your claim.

See our Hurricane Insurance Claim Checklist for convenient reference:

5 Tips on Documenting Property Damage

The following are tips to help you when you documenting your property damage in preparation for a claim:

1. Take several photos and extensive video of any damaged property
2. Take notes describing the damaged property, its cost, and when it was purchased
3. Try to locate receipts and invoices that help support your claims
4. Don’t throw away any property until it’s been photographed and inspected by an adjuster
5. Before submitting any documents, photos, or videos to the adjuster, double-check to see that you have made copies for your own records

Make sure you remain present and attentive the entire time when the adjuster makes their inspections. Confirm that they conduct a thorough and comprehensive assessment of your property — after a disaster, insurance adjusters may attempt to speed the process along so they can get to their next inspection. Don’t allow yourself to be rushed through the assessment.

Lastly, be sure you take the inspector throughout the entire property, even in areas that have no apparent damage. Inspectors are trained to locate damage and may detect damage that isn’t apparent to an untrained person.

6 Common Types of Hurricane Property Damage

Hurricanes cause property damage through high winds, flying objects, floodwaters, and other factors. The following are common examples of the type of property damage frequently caused by storms like Hurricane Laura:

1. Structural Damage: High winds can damage walls, windows, fenders, and other areas of the house. Flying objects can also damage the property.
2. Roof Damage: Powerful winds often damage roof tiles, or even lift entire portions of the roof off of the house. This leads to further property damage as the inside of the home becomes exposed to the storm. Damaged shingles can also affect the seal of the roof. Metal roof repairs are often more expensive than standard roofing.
3. Broken Windows: High pressure can cause windows to shatter, even if they are shuttered. Flying objects can also break exposed glass. 130+ mph winds can also affect the gases within windows, causing them to fog up.
4. Damaged Doors: Similar to how roofs can be pulled off of a house, high winds are also known to create a pull on doors of all types. In particular, garage doors and sliding glass doors are more likely to be damaged due to their large size.
5. Water Damage: Water can damage a home in a host of different ways, including rain and flooding. This leads to mold and mildew issues after the hurricane has passed.
6. Clothes and Other Personal Property: Excessive moisture can severely damage basic necessities such as clothing, especially if they have been sitting in the moisture for a long time. A power surge can also damage ALL electronics and appliances that were plugged in during the storm.

Other property and assets not attached to a home can also suffer damage in a hurricane. For instance, automobiles, swimming pools, storage units, and tool sheds can often be completely damaged in a major hurricane.

Be sure also to document additional living expenses (ALE); these can include costs of temporary housing/hotel stays, travel expenses (keep track of your mileage), power generators, rental cars, and other costs.

Homeowner’s insurance should cover these types of damages and losses. However, as mentioned, full compensation may be delayed or affected if you don’t fully document your claim.