Hurricane Sandy showed what a single storm can do to the east coast: downed power lines, properties washed away, and thousands of families discovering what their policies actually covered. Storm and hurricane damage is expensive, insurers know it, and coverage for it has been narrowing in recent years. Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey all allow a hurricane deductible, calculated in Pennsylvania as a percentage of the overall policy. It works like a health insurance deductible: on a $50,000 loss with a $500 deductible, you carry the first $500 and the insurer covers the remaining $49,500 up to any policy limits. Homes in at-risk areas are required to carry storm and hurricane coverage. For everyone else it is optional.
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After a storm damages or destroys your property, talk to an attorney early, then make your own assessment of the damage. Photograph everything and keep the photos safe. Your own documentation gives the insurer a point of reference for the extent of the loss, which matters because these claims turn almost entirely on proving how much damage there was. Expect a request for proof, and expect an adjuster to come out and evaluate. That visit is a crucial moment to have representation, because the adjuster's job is to save the company money.
Once the assessment is finished you will get a number. It may be reasonable or it may be insulting. Either way, never feel pressured into agreeing to it, and get advice before you accept or decline. Be equally careful with anyone who shows up at your door days after a storm calling themselves an adjuster and offering to handle your claim for a fee. Your insurer tells you when its adjuster is coming, real adjusters work on contingency and must be registered with the state, and you should never hand over money before the work is done. Check credentials online before agreeing to anything.
Storm & Hurricane Insurance Claims
Remember the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy? That one storm alone leveled catastrophic damage on the east coast. Winds took out power lines. Excessive rains took away property. It is during times like these that people need their insurance companies to follow through with their promises.
Does your home insurance policy cover storm or hurricane damage? When your property gets lost or damaged in the storm or hurricane, insurance policies mitigate financial loss. Insurance policies require monthly premiums. You pay that money and rely on your insurance company. Can you rely on your insurance company in your time of need? We at Freundlich & Littman, LLC are your storm and hurricane damage insurance claims attorneys. When your insurance company fails you, we are here to help you. Storms and hurricanes cause devastating damage. At times, it is impossible to prevent this damage. Your insurance company may use many sneaky and unsavory means to avoid turning over a dime. Do not let them bully you into accepting less than you and your family deserve. We service the greater Philadelphia area. If you need to lodge an appeal against your insurance company, contact us.
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Storm & Hurricane Insurance In Pennsylvania
Storm and hurricane damage are often costly. According to the Insurance Information Institute, Hurricane Katrina caused a reported $42 billion dollars in insurance money. After storms like Katrina and Sandy, insurance companies are keenly aware of the costs of damage. In many instances, insurance coverage for storms and hurricanes is in decline in recent years.
In Pennsylvania, insurance companies actually allow for a “hurricane deductible”. Similar to health insurance deductibles, a policyholder will cover the cost of the damage in the amount of the deductible. Afterward, the insurance company covers the remaining amount up to any policy limitations. If the damage to your home is $50,000, you would pay the first $500 (or other amounts) and the insurance would cover the remaining $49,500.
Not every state has provisions for storm and hurricane deductibles. Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey are among the states that have such provisions. In Pennsylvania, insurance companies calculate deductibles based on a percentage of the overall policy. Law requires that homes in at-risk areas carry storm and hurricane coverage. For other homeowners, the coverage is only optional.
Lodging A Storm Or Hurricane Damage Claim With Insurance Companies
After a storm or hurricane damages or demolishes your property, speak with a storm and hurricane insurance claims attorney. Especially if the storm destroyed your home, you need all the legal weight and advice available to you. After contacting a lawyer, make your own assessment of the damage. Take pictures and keep them safe.
By doing an initial assessment, you provide the insurance company with a point of reference as to the extent of the damage. Remember that you give your hard earned money to your insurance company. If a storm or hurricane causes irreparable damage to your home, you deserve protection.
Your insurance company will likely ask you to provide proof of your claim. In the event of a storm and hurricane, it becomes a matter of proving the extent of damage more so than anything. The next call will be from an insurance adjuster. Insurance companies send insurance adjusters to your home to perform an evaluation. This is a crucial time to have legal representation, as the sole job of the insurance adjuster is to save their company money.
After their assessment finishes, they will likely offer you a monetary amount. It may be adequate or may be so low that you think the offer is a joke. Regardless, never feel pressured into agreeing to it. It is your policy and your money on the line. Seek the advice of counsel before declining or saying yes to a settlement offer from an insurance adjuster.
Dangers Of Public Adjusters After A Storm Or Hurricane
A funny thing may happen after a storm or a hurricane strikes your area. One day, you may hear a knock on the door. Someone calling themselves an insurance adjuster hands you a card. They inform you of damage to your property (car, home, etc.). The storm ended days ago and you didn’t know it was there. For a small fee, they will make an assessment and send it to your insurance company on your behalf.
This is dangerous territory, although it may seem like a jackpot. Insurance companies will inform you that an insurance adjuster is on their way to your home. Likewise, you should never give money to an insurance adjuster before the job is complete. Real adjusters work on a contingency basis and need to have registered with the state. Check their credentials online before agreeing to any terms. If you are unsure about the process or someone scammed you, contact legal representation to seek advice.
