Lessons from Hurricane Matthew: Mitigating Insurance Risk

Hurricane Matthew devastated parts of the Southeastern U.S., particularly areas of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Property managers throughout the region found out just how frustrating it can be to deal with insurance carriers that make it as difficult as possible to obtain the full value of a first party insurance claim. Below are some steps you can take to make sure you’re as prepared as possible, which can help you obtain maximum recovery should disaster strike.

Get Visual Evidence

You should have documented proof of any damage that has occurred, such as photos and videos, and ensure that proof is kept safe and secure. One way to easily preserve this evidence is to take pictures from your smartphone and e-mail them to yourself. Not only will this evidence help as your insurer assesses the claim, you can also use it in any lawsuit you may have to file should your claim be denied or low-balled. Take extensive notes on the losses that have been incurred and the damage to make sure you have the information you need to prove your case should legal action become necessary.

Temporary Repairs

If you need to make any immediate repairs, please be sure to keep all work orders and/or receipts for the work that is performed. It will be very important that you hire a professional for the repairs, because you want to minimize the chances that the insurer will hold you liable for any potentially faulty construction.