Homeowners insurance can help those who have been impacted by a natural disaster make up for some financial losses. However, Florida residents may not necessarily be covered for all disasters, even if they have a homeowners insurance policy. A Consumer Reports survey found that 45 percent of those in the path of Hurricane Irma experienced property damage. If a home cannot be lived in after a storm, a homeowners policy will generally cover living expenses such as paying for a motel.
It should also help to cover any losses related to vandalism and looting after a storm. A renters insurance policy will likely help to cover such losses as well. However, homeowners insurance policies generally won’t cover damage related to a flood or other types of water damage. Damage that occurs for other reasons could also be excluded from a policy, so it may be a good idea to contact an insurance agent to verify what a specific policy does and doesn’t cover.
Those who are looking to save money on their policies could get discounts for making their homes more resistant to hurricanes. For instance, it’s possible to get a discount by upgrading windows or doors. This may be true even if only select doors or windows are replaced with hurricane-resistant products.
If a home experiences window or roof damage in a storm, it could be possible to file an insurance claim. This would result in the insurance company paying for some or most of the damage in addition to secondary expenses that a homeowner may incur. An attorney can help someone who has had their claim denied. In some cases, the matter may be resolved through a formal appeal or by taking the insurance company to court.