10/06/2024
Florida fam, as many of you know, I’m an insurance adjuster here in Florida. With storm season upon us, there are a few important things I want you to know before any more storms hit. This advice applies to anyone living on the Gulf Coast or in the greater Southeast.
BEFORE A STORM:
• Take photographs of all sides of your house, including fences and sheds. Capture one overview photo that includes the entire house.
• For inside rooms, stand in one corner and photograph toward the opposite corner in landscape mode. Then, move to the corner you just photographed and take another picture facing where you were. Try to include a piece of the floor and ceiling in each shot.
• Do your normal storm preparations.
• Keep all receipts.
• Open your refrigerator and freezer doors and take a picture to show they are full. When the power goes out and your food spoils, you’ll be glad you did this.
• Keep all receipts before the storm, and continue to keep them after the storm, especially for grocery restocking.
AFTER A HURRICANE:
• Walk around and take “after” photos to compare with your “before” pictures.
• If shingles are on the ground, take 1-3 photos to document them.
• Inside, take overview shots of each room to show its condition, then close-up photos of any damage. Avoid taking only close-ups, as the adjuster won’t know which room the damage is in.
*For floods, get a photo of the water line*
• Document, document, document.
FLOOD & REPAIRS:
• Contents & Personal property: Floods damage everything. Before throwing anything away, take photos of each item (e.g., table, computer, toy) and capture the model number or manufacturer label.
• Create an inventory sheet: list the item, brand, model number, and cost.
(With photos, labels, and a detailed inventory sheet, your content claims will go much smoother. Though content claims take time, upfront organization will save you a lot of hassle.)
• Flood & Mold: I don’t need to explain the damage mold can cause, so act quickly.
• Before tearing out drywall, take more overview photos. You get the idea: photos, photos, photos.
• Protect your property. Do not wait for insurance unless they explicitly tell you to, and if they do, get that in writing.
• Your photos will be crucial in documenting the damage.
• Prevent mold by removing wet materials immediately.
• Call restoration and mitigation companies right away—waiting lists will form quickly, and mold won’t wait.
• If you have a flooded room, start tearing out wet materials and ventilating the space immediately.
Having these things ready for the field adjuster and insurance carrier will help prevent questions and ensure you receive the full value of your claim, including for contents. The more evidence you provide—photos and receipts—the fewer questions the insurance carrier will have.
