5 Things You Should Know About Hurricane Insurance Claims in Victoria

After the impact of Hurricane Harvey, one of the last things on victims’ minds is filing an insurance claim. However, the sooner you get these claims filed and your damages assessed, the sooner you can receive compensation to cover said damages. Insurance claims can be tricky to deal with if you have little to no experience filing them. Most victims of the hurricane, whether experienced in insurance claims or not, are more worried about finding out if their relatives are safe or how much of their property has been destroyed than how they are going to file. The lawyers at Carabin Shaw in Victoria understand that your priorities are on more important matters right now. We will try to streamline the process of filing a claim with five things you should know about hurricane insurance claims in Victoria.

1. File your claim as soon as possible.
   The faster you are able to file your claim, the better. Most insurance companies operate on a first come, first serve basis; this means that if you are not able to file your claim immediately, it can take weeks or even months to get processed, leaving you without compensation to fix your home for some time. In many cases, insurance agents must come out to your home to assess any and all damage in order to calculate how much compensation to which you are entitled. If you wait to file, it could be months before an insurance agent is able to get out to your property, as they may be backed up with hundreds of other claims.
2. Know your policy’s coverage.
   Of the five things you should know about hurricane insurance claims in Victoria, your specific policy is key. Many victims of Hurricane Harvey may be surprised to find that they are not covered for flooding damage by their private insurance. However, most homeowners are covered for wind and rain damage that may have contributed to the flooding damage in the first place. It’s important to ask as many questions as you can to be sure what damages are covered under your policy and what damages you will have to cover out of your own pocket. If you’re not entirely sure what you should be asking or who you should be talking to, our attorneys in Victoria can go over your policy with you and make sure you understand what you are covered for. We can also contact the insurance agency on your behalf to verify what specific damages are covered.
3. Keep a record of everything.
   If you do speak with your insurance company, be sure to keep detailed records of all conversations and whom you spoke with. This will be imperative in the case that there is a discrepancy later on. The more detailed you are, the less likely the insurance agency will be able to deny your Victoria hurricane claim. It is also important to keep all receipts of recent purchases made due to the hurricane. By documenting all expenditures, from repairs to preparatory costs to hotel expenses while evacuating, you may be able to get the most out of your compensation. If you are not able to keep organized at this time, it’s best to contact one of our lawyers in Victoria to help you collect your records.
4. Take photo and video evidence of damage.
   If your insurance agent isn’t able to go out to your property to document and assess your damage immediately, you will need to do so yourself. Taking photos of any and all damage, no matter how small, will aid your case later on. The more evidence presented, the harder the claim will be to dispute. Make a list of all damaged or lost property to add to your records as well. Insurance companies may try to pay you as little as legally possible in order to save money. The lawyers at Carabin Shaw in Victoria can help you to document and keep records of damages in order to make sure you cannot be taken advantage of. We will make sure you get the full amount owed to you.
5. Motives Behind Insurance Companies
   Many insurance companies will try to pay as little as possible to each victim of the hurricane because of the amount of claims being filed. It’s important to remember that insurance companies are still companies that do not want to lose money. To be sure that you are receiving your full amount of compensation for damages, you will need a dedicated and experienced lawyer on your side. The attorneys at Carabin Shaw can fight for you rights and make sure the insurance company pays you in full. It’s not your job to worry about whether or not you will have enough to repair your home; we can take that burden off your shoulders.

If you are still confused or simply need more information about the five things you should know about hurricane insurance claims in Victoria, contact our legal team today. Our Victoria hurricane insurance claims lawyers offer free consultations in a bilingual setting, and our courteous and professional staff is available day or night to take your call. Call Carabin Shaw in Victoria today at 361.485.1400 or toll-free at 1.800.682.1260.