If your property has been damaged in the recent flooding in Fort Lauderdale and other areas of South Florida, filing a claim with your insurance company may not be the first thing on your mind. However, it’s crucial to act quickly and file your flood claim on time to ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.
Our Fort Lauderdale flood damage lawyers are here to help you.
The Importance of Filing a Flood Claim on Time
Why is it important to file a flood claim on time? Because in the state of Florida, most insurance policies require the insurance holder to submit Proof of Loss within 60 days of the insurer’s request.
This means that policyholders must now submit the Proof of Loss within 60 days of any loss, regardless of whether it was requested by their insurance provider.
This is crucial because if a Florida resident fails to provide Proof of Loss within 60 days of the loss, the insurance company can deny the claim by citing it as a violation of policy conditions.
How to Prepare for Filing Your Flood Claim
Fort Lauderdale is recovering from flooding. So are Miami, Hollywood, and other areas of South Florida. Before filing your flood claim, there are some important steps to follow to be better prepared.
Document
Take pictures of the damage as soon as possible and before any cleaning up takes place. This will help illustrate the extent of the damage more accurately.
Pre-damage images will be even better for documenting the condition. By having access to before and after photos, insurance providers can accurately assess the extent of damages and offer an appropriate claim amount.
Ensure to make a comprehensive list of any personal items that have been lost or damaged while cleaning up. Furthermore, it is advisable to keep hold of any original receipts of the items you possess in case you need to provide proof when filing a flood insurance claim.
Promptly Notify Your Insurance Company
You must contact your insurance company immediately after discovering water damage in your home. Doing so quickly and documenting the notification is vital to ensure you get adequate coverage. Be sure to include your policy number. You must inform your insurance agent or insurer of any flood-related damage immediately in writing via the appropriate policy forms.
Klotzman Property Damage Law can provide you with professional help in submitting your flood claim, thus taking the hassle off of you. They make sure the whole process is managed properly to ensure that you get the results you are looking for.
Mitigate Losses
Homeowners must take all reasonable and possible actions necessary to minimize losses per policy regulations. Neglecting to do so could result in further damage, which is why it’s important to take preventative steps as soon as possible.
The Process of Filing Your Flood Claim
Make sure you understand the flood insurance claim process and have all the necessary documents ready to ensure an efficient recovery.
- Allocate time to file an accurate and detailed flood claim or hire an experienced property damage attorney to handle your case.
- Include pictures with your flood claim to demonstrate the damage.
- Provide an accurate description of the damage and list all affected items.
- An adjuster will contact you within 1-2 days of receiving your notice of loss. Depending on local weather and the seriousness of the flooding, it may take more time. Once they get in touch, plan a suitable time for them to inspect your property.
- Discuss the details of your policy with your attorney to gain clarity. Ask any questions that arise to ensure a smooth claims process.
Request for Additional Payment
If you discover more damage to the insured building or personal property after submitting your flood claim and proof of loss, or if the cost of repairing the covered flood damage is larger than what your adjuster estimated, you can request a supplemental payment. This must be completed within the 60-day limit or within any extensions of time granted.
If you have incurred additional costs due to property damage and are looking to claim compensation, it is highly recommended that you seek legal advice from an experienced property damage attorney. They will be able to provide informed guidance on what steps need to be taken to successfully pursue a claim and fight for fair compensation.
Common Mistakes People Make When Filing Their Flood Claim
- Homeowners fail to take the necessary time to file an accurate claim and often leave out valuable information about damaged items or areas in the house.
- Policyholders might inaccurately describe how the damage occurred.
- Policyholders do not save their personal items receipts with other important paperwork in a water-safe place.
Remember, filing your flood claim on time can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and successful claims process, so don’t hesitate to take action as soon as possible.
Speak to Our Florida Flood Damage Attorneys
If your property suffered damage during the flooding in Florida and you need to file a claim with your insurance, consulting a property damage lawyer is the best way to ensure your claim is handled properly.
Here at Klotzman Property Damage Law, we advocate for fair compensation so you can properly restore and repair any damage. We are proud to help people in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Hollywood, and other areas of Florida.
Schedule your free case review today with a Florida property damage attorney. When insurance companies fail, Klotzman Property Damage Law succeeds.
