What To Do If You Have A Florida Homeowners Insurance Claim
WHEN YOU HAVE A CLAIM
The Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights includes the following advice to help you successfully navigate through the claim process and increase the chances of a satisfactory outcome.
1. Contact your insurance company before entering into a contract for repairs to ensure you adhere to the repair provisions included in the policy.
2. Make and document emergency repairs that are necessary to prevent further damage. Keep the damaged property, if feasible; keep all receipts; and take photographs of the damage before and after any repairs.
3. Carefully read any contract that requires you to pay out-of-pocket expenses or a fee that is based on a percentage of the insurance proceeds that you will receive to repair or replace your property.
4. Confirm that the contractor you choose is licensed to do business in Florida. You can verify a contractor’s license and check to see if there are any complaints against him or her by calling the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. You should also ask the contractor for references from previous work.
5. Require all contractors to provide proof of insurance before beginning repairs.
6. If the extent of the damage requires you to leave your home, secure your property, turn off your gas, water, and electricity, and contact your insurance company to provide a phone number where you can be reached.
Questions? Please feel free to call us.
