How to Prepare for a Hurricane

Hurricane season is here again. These powerful storms cause billions of dollars of destruction in just a few hours. It can take significantly longer for insurance claims for hurricane damage to be resolved than other types of claims due to the large number of policy holders simultaneously making high dollar value claims. Your best defense against this situation is preparing your home and property ahead of time to minimize the amount of damage that you incur. Following are Get Paid For Your Claim’s top tips to help you prepare to weather a hurricane:

Prevent Projectiles

The high windspeeds during a hurricane create projectiles from outdoor objects of all sizes. These can break your windows or doors, creating a dangerous situation with extensive damage. They can also break the windows on your car and cause enough damage to its body to total it. To minimize the risk of objects on your property causing this, we recommend:

• Trimming all large trees and branches as well as taking down any dead ones.
• Taking inside all patio furniture, toys, portable fire pits, etc. For items that are too large to take inside, such as planters, or swing sets, tie them down with a strong rope.

Test and Close Shutters

Over time, shutters can rust, become dented, or may malfunction. Well before a hurricane comes (ideally before the start of the season), test all the shutters on your home to ensure they function as they should. If they don’t, repair or replace them right away.

Once a hurricane is imminent, close the shutters and keep them closed until the storm has passed. Similarly, if you are planning to go out of town for any length of time, close your shutters in case a hurricane comes while you are away.

Repair the Roof

Water damage is one of the costliest repairs that homeowners can face from a hurricane. Missing or damaged roof shingles can allow water to seep inside and spread throughout your home, often far from the original point of entry. While insurance can provide monetary compensation for the lost items, treasured photographs and family heirlooms will be lost forever. Hire a roofer to inspect your roof and make any necessary repairs well in advance of a hurricane.

Ensure You Are Insured

Do you live in an area prone to flooding? If so, make sure your flood insurance is up to date. Regular homeowners insurance won’t cover damage caused by flooding.

Save an electronic copy of your homeowner’s insurance on your phone and on a finger drive. Print out a copy and store it in a waterproof container in your evacuation bag. Also add Get Paid For Your Claim’s phone number  – 1-800-635-8111- to your contact list on your phone. If disaster hits, first call Get Paid For Your Claim and let us know the details of your situation. Then, forward us your insurance policy to review. With your approval, we can manage the entire claims process on your behalf.  You handle putting your life back together, we will handle the insurance company.

Insurance companies have their own team of experts and insurance adjusters to advocate on their behalf.  At Get Paid For Your Claim, weadvocate for you.  As a licensed and bonded Public Adjuster, we help insurance policyholders who have been forced to use insurance to make a claim.

Our service is fast and to the point.  We get results.  We know how to strategically move the process along, while negotiating on our clients’ behalf toward the best possible outcome — the maximum settlement available.

The earlier a public adjuster is brought into the process, the better the opportunity to help you obtain a more favorable claim settlement. As soon as you engage our team, we swing into action on your behalf.  And, we support you throughout the entire claim process to achieve the maximum insurance recovery. 

For a free inspection and claim consultation, please contact us at any of our convenient Florida locations:

BOCA RATON

2255 Glades Road
Suite 324A
Boca Raton, Florida   33431
Phone: (954) 914-5454

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STUART

1 SE Ocean Blvd
Stuart, Florida   34994
Phone: (772) 291-1903

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FORT MYERS

9160 Forum Corporate Parkway
Suite 350
Fort Myers, Florida   33905
Phone: (239) 299-4050

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WELLINGTON

12161 Ken Adams Way
Suite 110-UU
Wellington, Florida   33414
Phone: (561) 223-6889

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VERO BEACH

601 21st Street
Suite 300
Vero Beach, Florida   32960
Phone: (772) 206-3310

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