First steps

Alert your insurance company: Inform your insurance company that you need to file a claim. Inquire how long it will be before you receive a visit from an adjuster, who will inspect the damage and assist you in reaching a settlement.

Following a hurricane, you will most likely need to contact more than one insurer. As an example:

• Flood insurance covers only structures and belongings damaged by flooding.
• Depending on your state, wind damage may be covered by your homeowners insurance or a separate windstorm policy.
• If your vehicle was damaged, you must file a claim with your comprehensive auto insurance.

Inform your insurer if you require emergency services: If you require immediate repairs, such as removing flood water or repairing downed electrical wiring, your insurer may dispatch a company to your location. Keep any receipts for repair expenses; your insurer should reimburse you.

Make a record of the damage: Take photos or video of any damage to your home, yard, belongings, or vehicles.

Make a copy of your home inventory to give to your adjuster if you have one. This allows your insurer to quickly determine what items you lost and how much they are worth. If you don't have an inventory, make a list of your damaged items and save any receipts you can find.

Cover up any holes in your roof or windows, but don't dispose of any damaged items until an adjuster has documented them.

Begin a claim log: Make a copy of all claim forms you fill out and keep them in one place. Keep track of the dates, names, and contact information for each time you speak with someone about the claim, as well as what you discussed. This can save you time if you need to remember important details later or if you receive contradictory information.

After you start your hurricane claim

Attend a meeting with your insurance adjuster(s): Your insurance company will dispatch an adjuster to inspect the damage and collect any records and receipts. This is when having a well-organized home inventory and visual evidence of your damage can save you a significant amount of time.

Your adjuster may provide advance checks that will be deducted from the total claim payment so that you can begin repairing your home and replacing belongings. You may have multiple adjusters for different types of damage. For a single claim, your insurer may even use multiple adjusters.

Consider a public adjuster, too: Consider hiring a public insurance adjuster if you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to navigate the complex claim process.

Public adjusters are independent contractors who work for you rather than an insurance company. They assist you in negotiating your claim settlement so that you receive all of the money to which you are entitled. Public adjusters are typically paid a percentage of the total claim settlement, such as 10%. They frequently assist homeowners in getting more out of a claim than they would on their own.

Before hiring a public adjuster, check his or her credentials with your state's insurance department.

Get repair estimates: Your insurer may recommend specific contractors to repair your home, but you can also get estimates from other companies. Once you've gathered bids and selected a contractor, the cost must be approved by your insurer's adjuster.

Prepare to wait: Due to the high demand for contractors following hurricanes, the cavalry may take longer than expected to arrive.

If your home is too damaged to live in, keep any receipts for hotels, restaurants, and other expenses incurred while awaiting repairs. Your insurance company will reimburse you later. These expenses are covered by your homeowners insurance additional living expenses coverage. Alternatively, you may receive an advance payment from your adjuster to help cover such costs.

Watch out for fraudulent contractors: While you wait, you may receive unsolicited offers from contractors to repair your property or remove debris right away. These could be con artists looking to make a quick buck and then disappear. To be on the safe side, refuse any contracting work that you have not requested.

Collect your claim payments: When each claim has been processed and your settlement offer is ready, your insurer will notify you. If you are happy, your insurer will issue you a check.

Construction companies may arrange for insurers to pay them directly in some cases. Before authorizing payment, ensure that you are satisfied with any work that has been completed.

If you discover additional damage, you must reopen the claim: If you notice new hurricane-related damage, don't be afraid to file a claim again. According to the Insurance Information Institute, people typically have up to a year after a storm to file additional claims.

If you’re not satisfied with your settlement offer

Ideally, you and your insurer will reach an agreement on a claim settlement as soon as possible. However, calculating a claim amount is not an exact science, and you do not have to accept whatever the adjusters offer.

Insurers denying coverage under an “anti-concurrent causation” clause is a common source of contention among hurricane victims. This clause essentially states that if multiple issues damage your home at the same time but only one is covered by your policy, your insurer may refuse to pay for anything.

For example, suppose wind rips open your roof, allowing rain to infiltrate and a storm surge engulfs your home. Your insurer may try to avoid paying the claim because flooding is not covered by your policy, despite the fact that wind is.

The exact wording in your policy or the legislation in your state may be the deciding factor in disputing such a claim denial. In the preceding example, a court might strike down an anti-concurrent causation clause if it is clear that wind was the initial cause of damage.

Consider contacting a public insurance adjuster for assistance in contesting claim denials. As a last resort, you could take the matter to court, which can be a time-consuming and costly process.

Whether you hire a lawyer or negotiate on your own, don't let the pressure to settle your claim force you to leave money on the table.