How to File for Hurricane Harvey Damages in Port Aransas

Hurricane Harvey hit the South Texas coast with an intensity that left many individuals in shock from seeing the destruction left after the massive storm. To compound that, residents who were affected in those areas of the state are still left feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. Port Aransas is one of the many cities with the whole community looking to find their way forward.

Have you or your family members been affected by the storm and need help figuring out what to do? Would you like to know how to file for Hurricane Harvey damages in Port Aransas? If so, you can contact a Port Aransas hurricane insurance claims lawyer from our law firm at Carabin Shaw. Our attorneys are very familiar with these types of situations and want to help you or your loved ones find solutions to your situation.

Document the damage and keep any receipts for spending. We know you want to clean up the damage and get back to your life as quickly as possible. However, clearing up the destruction can possibly hurt you in this case. You will need to document the damage, and it needs to be confirmed. The easiest way will be to take pictures or a video of the damages if you have a working camera or a smartphone. Writing it all down in a list will be a second-best option. We suggest waiting to discard the major proof of damage until your insurance adjuster verifies everything through an inspection. This inspection may need to be requested by you, so contact your insurance company about the proper procedure. Also, keep your receipts for anything you may have spent on repairs or living expenses.

Check your insurance policy. If your insurance documents have not been damaged by the storm, find them and read through them. Otherwise, you can contact your insurance company to see what your policy covers. An insurance agent can also explain to you how to file for Hurricane Harvey damages in Port Aransas. Do not trust hearsay or what worked for your neighbors. Your situation could be unique. Keep in mind that most insurance policy coverages only include flood insurance as a separate, add-on policy. You will want to keep in mind that most people have to pay a special deductible before receiving any monies from their claim in the case of a hurricane or major catastrophe. You need to be clear on what is covered and what you will be responsible for.

Do your own research for contractors. Insurance companies will suggest you use contractors from their own list of people they work with. That is likely the most cost-effective route for them. What that could mean for you is that those contractors may not do the best possible work or use the best materials to repair your damaged property. We would suggest you research the best-rated contractors and make the choice for yourself. You will want to keep in mind what is covered when speaking with your contractor, so do your research on your policy before your search for reputable contractors. Also, be sure to have the contractors present when the insurance adjusters do their inspection.

Do not give out personal information to anyone without verifying who they are. Unfortunately, during times when people are at their most vulnerable, opportunists will come out of the woodwork. A major disaster declaration was issued after word of the catastrophic damages Hurricane Harvey left behind reached the White House; many hurricane victims are looking forward to receiving federal assistance, as well. If you are not careful, your personal information could get into the wrong hands. As experienced attorneys, we suggest you be sure to check that an adjuster or anyone posing as a figure of authority is who they say they are to avoid the security risk. Fortunately, tragedy can also bring out the good, and we can always be grateful for those helpful people that also show up under these circumstances.

Make this a priority and get your claim in quickly. Even with this being hurricane season, the Port Aransas area has been hit with major damage. Most claims are handled on a “first come, first serve” basis. Now, with a second major hurricane hitting the US, bringing with it additional astronomical estimated costs for Florida and other southeastern states, it would be in your best interest to file as soon as possible. You can imagine the insurance companies, along with FEMA, are inundated with claims. Another tip from a lawyer’s perspective; you need to be persistent to avoid the added wait time.

While these are basic tips for how to file for Hurricane Harvey damages in Port Aransas, when dealing with disasters, our lawyers know there are many more things to consider. The damage the storm left ranged from mild to severe. Port Aransas hurricane claims are important to make and should be made a top priority if you live in the area and have been a victim of the recent massive hurricane.

If you and your loved ones need further assistance, the attorneys at Carabin Shaw want to help you get through this difficult time. If you live in Port Aransas and were affected by the hurricane, you can contact our law team anytime, day or night. We will be happy to conduct your free consultations with you in English or in Spanish. Call us today at 361.717.4411 or toll-free at 800-862-1260.