INSURANCE CLAIMS

If your home or personal belongings were damaged during a storm, the State Department of Insurance recommends the following guidelines for filing your claim:
· Immediately report property damage to your agent or insurance company. After a hurricane, most insurance companies should establish toll- free numbers to handle claims calls.

• Make emergency repairs and document them. Most homeowner policies require that you make emergency repairs to prevent further damage to your home or its contents. Cover up with plastic or board up holes in roof, walls, doors, and windows. Be careful! Take before and after pictures and save your receipts. Beware of contractors who encour age you to pay a lot of money up front.
• Take precautions if the damage requires you to leave your home. Secure your property to the best of your ability and remove valuables. Contact your agent and leave a phone number where you can be reached.
• Beware of fly-by-night repair businesses. Hire licensed reputable workers. If you hire someone to make repairs to your home, make sure they have current licenses, insurance and permits. Never pay all cost of a repair job upfront and always get a receipt.
• To find out if a contractor is licensed, call the State Department of Professional Regulation toll
  free at 1-800-342-7940, the Miami-Dade County
• Building and Zoning at (305) 375-2527, or the Broward County Building and Permitting at
  (954) 765-5108.
  Beware of unlicensed "Adjusters for hire." Demand positive identification and proof of license and insurance. Your insurance company will provide you with an adjuster free of charge; however, there are adjusters for hire who charge a commission that will not be covered by your insurance policy.

For more information about your current coverage, or if you would like to order a Consumers' Guide to Buying Homeowners' Insurance, call
the Consumer Services helpline.