LONGWOOD, Fla. — In the aftermath of a tornado, the community of Seminole County has begun the process of recovery. Residents and business owners are taking steps to assess and document the damage, a critical first step in rebuilding. This involves not only the physical cleanup but also the complex process of dealing with insurance claims.
Adjusters have been on the ground in the Longwood neighborhood, particularly around Blue Iris Place, since Tuesday. They are meeting with homeowners, providing guidance, and beginning the claims process. Insurance and state officials are offering advice to help homeowners navigate the often-challenging process as smoothly as possible.
What You Need to Know
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Contact Your Insurer Immediately: According to both state officials and insurance industry insiders, the first action property owners should take after a tornado is to contact their insurance company to report the damage.
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Document the Damage: Thorough documentation is essential. This includes taking detailed photographs and videos of all damage to the property, as well as creating an inventory of damaged items inside the home.
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Prevent Further Damage: Take immediate steps to protect the property by preventing additional damage. The first step is to contact the insurance company to let them know a claim needs to be filed.
Principal Ana Regina Myrrha of American Insurance Point, a firm comprised of insurance professionals, emphasized the importance of immediate action: “Because you don’t know the extent of the damage… Sometimes we guesstimate that it’s just a couple of shingles, but it’s more than that. So get your insurance company involved as soon as possible.”
Homeowner Gary Grubl is still reeling from the tornado’s impact. He lost approximately four dozen tiles from his roof – an event unprecedented in his 36 years of living in the home, even during hurricanes. “Each one of these tiles is 11.2 pounds,” Grubl noted, after measuring them.
The storm not only exposed part of his roof, leaving tiles scattered around his home, but also caused damage to his lanai. Grubl expressed some anxiety about the next steps, having never filed a major insurance claim before. “You never know how much the out of pocket is going to be,” he said.
Grubl contacted his insurance company immediately and obtained a claim number. As he waits for the adjuster, he was instructed to tarp his roof to prevent further damage. “They were adamant about doing the mitigation and they were also adamant about ‘don’t do any repairs’ because when the adjuster comes out, he wants to see it kind of as it was,” Grubl recounted. He was also advised to document the damage with photographs and videos of his home and belongings.
The Florida Department of Financial Services further advises homeowners to keep detailed notes of their recovery efforts, including conversations with insurance representatives, copies of receipts for immediate expenses, and other relevant information. For Grubl, the priority is to have coverage. “It’s a big expense every month, but when the big one hits, you want to have the coverage,”
Grubl was relieved to find he was covered, and that his deductible was significantly less than what a hurricane policy would require. However, not all property owners are satisfied with the insurance payouts they receive, and claim denials can occur.
In cases of denial, it is crucial for homeowners to carefully review their insurance policy to determine if the damage is covered. They should also try to understand the insurer’s reasons for denial. Standard homeowners insurance policies may not cover windstorms, such as tornadoes, as a covered peril.
If a property owner wishes to dispute a claim denial, they should gather photographic and video evidence, obtain repair estimates, and formally request, in writing, that the insurer reconsider the decision. Owners may also need to complete any additional paperwork requested by the insurer. Some companies may offer mediation or appraisal services to help resolve disagreements.
If the property owner remains dissatisfied, the final options are to file a complaint with the Florida Department of Financial Services or to seek legal counsel.
