Important Information Regarding Hurricane Related Claims

If you experience a hurricane-related loss, please be sure to read the important information below and take the necessary steps to file your claim. As with any claim, we are here to assist you with the reporting and filing a claim; however, in case of catastrophic damage, communication may be difficult immediately after the storm. In an effort to expedite the claims process, please visit the links below to obtain carrier contact information.

CARRIER CONTACT NUMBERS

 

Reporting a Loss

 

Personal Lines Clients

Report your loss or damage directly to your insurer using the claim contact information listed in your policy or provided in the Carrier Contact Information link above. Be sure to include the following:

• Your policy number
• Your name as it appears on the policy
• Your contact information (i.e., phone, cell, email, etc.)
• Detailed description of loss or damage you incurred

*Always be sure to check the terms and conditions of your policy for any carrier-specific claim reporting requirements

 

Business Clients

Call or e-mail your agent advisor team to report your loss or damage. If you are unable to reach your advisor team, you may report your loss or damage directly to your insurer using the claim contact information listed in your policy or provided in the Carrier Contact Information link above. Be sure to include the following:

• Your policy number
• Your name as it appears on the policy
• Your contact information (i.e., phone, cell, email, etc.)
• Detailed description of loss or damage you incurred

*Always be sure to check the terms of your policy for any carrier-specific claim reporting requirements.

 

Damage Assessment & Claims Reporting Reminders

The following list can serve as helpful reminders in the aftermath of a hurricane (NOTE: this list is not meant to be exhaustive and actual requirements will depend on your insurer and the particulars of your claim):

• Conduct an initial damage assessment if it is safe to do so
• Take photos of any damaged property
• Protect your property from further damage if safe to do so
• Report your claim directly to the insurer or via the links above; contact your Acrisure representative for assistance
• Maintain all receipts or bills related to the loss

 

Important Information Regarding Your Claim:

If you have filed a claim for a loss from a hurricane, the following helpful information will assist you during this process:

• Your insurer will assign an adjuster to your claim and they will contact you at the number you provided on your claim report. Please let us know if that has changed or if there is an alternate number where you may be reached. Insurers usually send adjusters to the more severely damaged properties first. If you suffered minor damage, please be patient.
• If your business or home is uninhabitable or you move somewhere else temporarily, let your insurer or Acrisure know where you can be reached. Spray-painting your building is not recommended, as exterior painting may not be covered under your policy. Your name and address should be current and accurate.
• In some instances, an adjuster may issue you an advance payment. This emergency advance will be deducted from any final claim payment owed.
• Take pictures of the damage including your contents prior to making any temporary repairs.
• If safe to do so, begin taking temporary measures to help prevent further damage and protect the property. Save all of your receipts as your insurer will ask for them at a later date. It is recommended to not remove debris until it has been seen by the adjuster and it is safe to do so.
• Do not attempt to make permanent repairs on your home or business until an adjuster has inspected it and it is safe to do so.
• You will be required to complete a Personal Property Inventory form for damaged items.
  • We suggest that you complete this on a per location basis. List the “Replacement Cost” of each item and its actual cash value, if known. Replacement Cost is what it would cost today to replace an item with another one just like it. Actual Cash Value is what the item is worth after deducting for depreciation and wear. Attach any available documentation (receipts, photos, cancelled checks, credit card statements, warranty booklets, etc.)
• While the terms and conditions of each policy will vary, most homeowners and business owner policies generally provide coverage for removal of trees or branches that have fallen on a covered structure; however, they typically do not cover removal of trees or debris that blew into your yard or fell in your yard without damaging anything. Again, the actual coverage will vary by insurer.
• If your property is rendered uninhabitable, most homeowners policies generally provide Loss of Use Coverage which is designed to reimburse you for extra expenses and temporary housing. The terms and conditions of each policy will vary but, typically, temporary housing coverage is based on a similar home of like kind and quality, and the length of time you will be displaced (subject to your policy limits).
  • Additional Living Expenses: Extra Expense coverage is designed to reimburse you for the extra expenses you incur after a loss that you would not normally incur, such as renting a temporary space, additional mileage, generators, electrical, computer or phone expenses over and above your usual costs. This coverage is typically paid on an incurred basis. You must incur the extra expense and provide proof of loss in the form of receipts or invoices.
• If you are unable to temporarily relocate your business and must completely shut down until repairs are made, or if you do maintain operations but at a lower business volume, Business Interruption coverage may help reimburse you for lost profits and continuing expenses, such as payroll for key employees.
• If you have had a change of mortgagee on a property; completed paying for a vehicle or piece of equipment; or had a change in the named insured (due to death or divorce, etc.), then make sure that you have notified us so that an endorsement can be issued to update your policy. Any reimbursement checks, where there is also an insured lienholder, will be made payable to YOU AND THE LIENHOLDER, if listed on your policy.
• If you have not heard from an adjuster within 7 to 14 days, notify us immediately so that we can help determine the cause for the delay. We can assist you with your claim.
• Depending on the severity of storm damage in your area, you may need to arrange to meet the adjuster somewhere else and then proceed to your property.

Please advise us if you are having difficulty with your claim so that we may be of assistance to you. Any questions or challenges you encounter are important to us.

 

Don't Become a Victim of Insurance Fraud

Recommend NOT Signing an AOB Contract

An Assignment of Benefits (AOB) is an agreement that transfers all insurance policy benefits and rights from you, the policyholder, to a third party such a contractor or repair vendor after damage has occurred to your property. An AOB contract is intended to help expedite the claims process and make things easier for the insured, but there is potential that an AOB contract may be fraudulently misused for repair vendors to seize control of the claims process with the intention of overcharging and inflating repair costs, often while keeping the insured in the dark. We generally recommend against signing an AOB contract and transferring your benefits to a vendor. If you have experienced damage from a hurricane, please call your insurer first or contact a member of our team. We are here to help!

 

Additional Resources:

National Hurricane Center | Noaa.gov

Hurricanes | Ready.gov

Hurricanes | Fema.gov

Natural Disasters and Severe Weather: Before, During, and After | Natural Disasters | CDC

About Hurricanes and Other Tropical Storms | Hurricanes | CDC

 

Important Notice: The information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as a substitute for any legal or other professional advice. The information, descriptions and statements contained herein do not amend, modify or supplement any insurance policy, product or service described. Always refer to the actual insurance policy for the full and complete terms, conditions, exclusions, and other coverage details of the policies described. Acrisure is not responsible for, and makes nor representations or warranties with respect to, the content, quality, safety, availability, completeness, accuracy, privacy policies, legality or any other information, practices or policies of any third-party material linked to herein. All third parties are responsible for the content on their websites and those third parties remain fully responsible for same.