TOP EIGHT Disaster Preparedness Tips

With experts predicting another above-average hurricane season beginning June 1, you are urged to protect your home and property against the most frequent natural disaster in Florida.  Remember, standard homeowners insurance does not typically cover flood damage.  Flood insurance backed by FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides home owners,business owners and renters with the best protection available against flooding.

Contact your insurance agent to purchase homeowners and flood insurance. National Flood Insurance policies are available to home owners, renters and business owners.   To learn more about flood insurance you can also visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419 for more information about flood risk and the benefits of purchasing a flood insurance policy.

• Review your auto, home and business insurance policies and make sure you have sufficient coverage for a total loss.
• Video tape and/or photograph your property and valuables BEFORE a loss and keep that documentation off site.
• Plan for evacuation. Plan and practice an evacuation route, ask someone out of state to be your “family contact” in an emergency, and ensure everyone knows the contact’s address and phone number.
• Move important objects and papers to a safe place. Store your valuables where they cannot get damaged.
• Conduct a thorough home inventory. Thorough documentation of your belongings will help you file your insurance claim. For more information, visit www.knowyourstuff.org.
• Build an emergency supply kit. Food, bottled water, first aid supplies, medicines, and a battery operated radio should be ready to go when you are. Visit www.ready.gov for a disaster supply checklist.
• Contact your own insurance adjuster at www.iwantmyclaimpaid.com for a free, personal consultation to answer any questions you might have about insurance BEFORE you have to make a claim.  Call Florida Adjusting Services Team at 866-931-FAST for more information.

TOP 9 things to do AFTER the loss:

After contacting your agent or insurance company to report the loss, call your own adjuster at Florida Adjusting Services Team so that you can make sure to receive the best claim outcome. There are also certain things you can do to clean up your property without causing problems with your claim, such as:

property without causing problems with your claim.

• After a major loss, like a fire, flooding, tornado or hurricane, before you enter your home, check to make sure the structure is not in danger of collapsing.
• Make sure the electricity is turned off at the main switch, and do not attempt to turn on any electrical lights or appliances until an electrician has checked your system.
• Open windows and doors to help dry out the house, let the air circulate to remove foul odors and help protect you from any leaking gas. Do not light any type of open flame because you could cause an explosion.
• After ANY loss, take pictures or video of the damage that occurred both inside and outside your home before you begin to clean up.
• If major appliances are destroyed do not throw them away because the insurance company adjuster will need to see them. Your own public adjuster can help you decide what should be thrown away and what should be kept.
• It is best to throw out perishable foods as they may be contaminated. If your home owner’s policy covers perishable foods, keep an itemized list of the things you throw out. Until local authorities proclaim your water supply safe, boil water for drinking and food preparation for five minutes before using.
• If possible, make temporary repairs to your property to prevent further losses from the elements and to secure your property. This would include boarding up windows, placing plastic over holes in the roof and drying out wet carpets and furniture. Keep receipts for materials used and keep a record of the repairs you make. Do not make permanent repairs.
• When making repairs, make sure to get a contract.  The contract should include the following:

  .. A separate breakout of labor and cost of materials.

  .. The contractor’s responsibility to get all required permits.

  .. The date the project is to begin and the date it is to be completed.

  .. Proof of insurance coverage from the start date to the finish date.

  .. A statement guaranteeing that the work area will be left in its original condition

  when the job is done.

   

  If possible, go one step further and ask that the contractor’s insurance carrier mail a

  certificate of insurance coverage directly to you. Finally, don’t do business with a

  company that demands money from you before repairs are made. Do not pay for repairs until the job is done.

   

  FINALLY - call your own professional claims adjuster to represent you and present your claim.