Reporting Insurance Claims After a Florida Hurricane: What Policyholders Need to Know

Reporting Insurance Claims After a Florida Hurricane: What Policyholders Need to Know

Welcome back! In my last blog article, I provided an overview of a few of the initial steps in the insurance claim process. The next part of the claims journey is arguably one of the most critical: reporting your loss to the insurance carrier. While this may seem like a simple, straightforward step, a slight misstep by the policyholder can completely derail their otherwise valid claim. Reporting Insurance Claims

To Report or Not to Report  Reporting Insurance Claims

You might recall that in my prior post, I discussed policy deductibles and how they can be an indicator of whether to report a claim at all. While it’s an important consideration, there are a few other points to keep in mind:

• First, it may not be up to you whether to report the loss. More and more policies now require policyholders to promptly report any windstorm loss caused by a hurricane – even if below the deductible – so they can consider the amount of that loss when adjusting claims for damages from subsequent hurricanes that year.
• Assuming your policy doesn’t impose this obligation, it’s important to understand the ramifications if you decide not to report a loss. If you change your mind later, the delay in reporting can seriously jeopardize your ability to recover any benefits under your insurance policy.  

Timing is Everything Reporting Insurance Claims

While the precise language may vary, all insurance policies impose some type of timing requirement when it comes to reporting a loss. So where do you look? Everywhere.

In some policies, it can be found under the “Duties After Loss” provision of the “Conditions” Section of the policy. Others discuss timing in a separate hurricane endorsement of the policy. You want to review every page of your policy, especially since it is fairly common for endorsements to completely remove and/or alter the provisions of your coverage. This is one of the reasons why it’s so important to have a complete copy of your policy prior to embarking on the claims process.

In terms of the language, most policies include a provision that generally requires the policyholder to provide “prompt” notice to either the carrier or insurance agent. What exactly is considered to be “prompt” is open to interpretation and can depend on the particular facts surrounding a claim. Just understand that the longer you wait to notify your carrier, the higher the risk that your claim will be adversely affected by the delay.

Many policies are more direct, at least in imposing a “deadline” to report a loss. Some will state that a claim is barred if it’s not made within a year after the date of loss and, in the case of a reopened or supplement claim, eighteen months following the loss. They might also require you to hold off on performing any emergency repairs until a certain point in time after the loss is reported.   

How to Report Your Loss Reporting Insurance Claims

Once you’ve made the decision, reporting the loss to your carrier or insurance agent is pretty straightforward. The process typically only takes a few minutes and consists of providing information like the loss location, the date of loss, and the type of loss. Some important things to keep in mind:

• Always answer questions honestly, but avoid over-answering. Remember: anything you say could be used against you.
• Never guess or speculate when answering: misrepresentations of a material fact, however innocent or unintentional, could serve as grounds to outright deny your claim regardless of its merits.
• “I’m not sure” or “I don’t remember” are always acceptable answers if you’re not 100% certain about your answer.   
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Do you have any companies you can send to help dry out my water damage? What’s the process for obtaining temporary housing? Can I begin certain repairs, or am I required to wait until you approve them?
• Confirm the date of loss prior to calling. Providing the wrong date can cause confusion down the road and delay the process.

Navigating the insurance claim process can be a complex and daunting task, especially when it comes to understanding the timing requirements and reporting procedures outlined in your policy. Taking the time to carefully review your insurance documents, promptly report any losses, and provide accurate information can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim. Remember, even a small mistake can jeopardize your ability to recover the benefits you deserve. If you have any questions about the claims process or need guidance on how to proceed, don’t hesitate to reach out to your trusted Property Damage Attorney.

Author: Francisco O. Garcia, Esq.