If your home or commercial property has suffered storm damage, you should take immediate steps to secure the property to prevent injuries. You should also mitigate the damage, such as putting a tarp on the roof or plywood over a broken window.
Next, you should document the extent of the damage. Take photographs and videos and prepare a written list of everything that has been damaged by the storm. If there has been significant damage to the roof or exterior, you may need to call in a contractor who can inspect the structural damage and provide an estimate for repairs. Also, if the building has suffered previous damage, try to locate any information related to those repairs. You want to be able to establish the “pre-loss” condition before filing your claim.
With storm damage, it’s usually best to report a loss within one or two weeks of its occurrence. That gives you time to gather the evidence. Heartland Adjusting can help you assess the damage and document your claim in order to maximize your eventual settlement.
It’s important to talk with the insurance company before you begin repairing the property. The insurer will want to inspect the damage “as is,” and any premature repairs could result in a smaller settlement.
Because repairing storm damage can be expensive, particularly if the property is a total loss, it’s important to have Heartland Adjusting on your side – right from the start!