In the chaotic aftermath of a hurricane or a severe thunderstorm in Orlando, FL, homeowners are often left feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable. Once the storm has passed and you have confirmed your family is safe, you are faced with the daunting task of assessing the damage and starting the long road to recovery. The very first steps you take in these critical hours are the most important, as they will have a direct and significant impact on your safety, your property, and the ultimate success of your insurance claim. As professional public adjusters, we have guided countless homeowners through this process. This guide provides the expert-approved first steps every Orlando homeowner should take after a storm.
Step 1: Prioritize Your Safety Above All Else
Perform a Safe, Ground-Level Inspection
Your family’s safety is the absolute first priority. Before you do anything else, you must assess your home for any immediate hazards. Do not rush outside until you are certain the storm has completely passed. When you do go out, look up and around. Be extremely cautious of downed power lines, which can be hidden in debris or standing water and may still be live. Note any leaning trees or large, broken limbs that look unstable. Do not, under any circumstances, climb on your roof to check for damage. It is incredibly dangerous and should be left to a professional.
Address Any Immediate Hazards
If you see downed power lines, leave the area immediately and report it to your utility company. If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, turn off the gas at the main valve (if you can do so safely), evacuate your home, and call your gas company from a safe distance. If you have significant structural damage, such as a collapsed wall or roof, do not re-enter the building until it has been deemed safe by emergency services. Your insurance claim is important, but it is not more important than your life.
The Danger of Water and Electricity
After a major storm, you must assume there is a risk of electrical shock in any flooded areas of your home. If your home has standing water in it, do not enter the flooded area. Do not touch any electrical appliances or devices that are in or near water. If you can safely access your home’s main electrical panel, you should shut off the main breaker to your home to eliminate the risk of electrocution. This is a critical safety step that a professional electrician or public adjuster would advise.
Step 2: Your Legal Duty to Mitigate Further Damage
What “Duty to Mitigate” Means for Your Claim
Your homeowner’s insurance policy is a contract, and it includes a “Duty to Mitigate” clause. This is a legal requirement that states you, the homeowner, must take reasonable and necessary steps to prevent the existing damage from getting worse. If you fail to do this, your insurance company can legally deny the subsequent damage by claiming it was caused by your own negligence, not the storm. This is one of the most critical and time-sensitive steps you must take.
How to Mitigate Damage Like a Professional
Mitigating damage means stopping the storm from causing any more harm. The most common and essential step is to have a hole in your roof tarped by a professional roofing company. This prevents gallons of subsequent rainwater from pouring into your attic and home. It also includes boarding up any broken windows or doors to secure your home from the elements and from theft. You must save every single receipt for these emergency repairs, as these costs are fully reimbursable as part of your insurance claim.
Do Not Begin Permanent Repairs
It is crucial to understand the difference between temporary, emergency mitigation and permanent repairs. You should only perform temporary mitigation. Do not begin any permanent repairs or sign a contract for a full roof replacement until you have reached a settlement with your insurance company. Starting the work too soon can severely complicate your claim and may result in the insurance company refusing to pay for work that has already been done without their approval.
Step 3: Meticulously Document Everything You See
The Burden of Proof is on You, the Homeowner
In an insurance claim, the burden of proof is on you to document the full extent of your loss. Do not rely on the insurance company’s adjuster to do this for you. Before you move a single piece of debris or start any cleanup, you must become a meticulous documentarian. Take hundreds of photos and videos with your smartphone. Get wide shots of every room and close-up shots of every single item that is damaged. Open your closets, your cabinets, and your drawers. This evidence is the most powerful tool you will have in a dispute.
Do Not Throw Anything Away Yet
It is a natural and tempting instinct to want to clean up the mess immediately, but this is a critical mistake. Do not throw away any of your damaged personal belongings, such as a waterlogged sofa, a ruined television, or soaked rugs. These items are your evidence. You must pile them up and allow the insurance adjuster to see them and value them. If you discard these items before they are documented, your insurance company can, and often will, refuse to pay you for them, as you have destroyed the proof of your loss.
Capture the “Cause of Loss”
When documenting the damage to your Orlando, FL home, it is essential to also capture the “cause of loss” if possible. For example, if a tree fell on your roof, take photos of the tree, the hole it created, and the resulting water damage inside. This helps your public adjuster prove that the interior water damage was a direct result of the covered wind event that brought the tree down. This connection is critical for countering any attempt by the insurer to deny your claim.
Step 4: Make the Right First Call to Your Advocate
The Mistake of Making a Recorded Statement
Most homeowners’ first call is to their insurance company. While you must provide “prompt notice” of the claim, be very careful what you say in this initial call. The call will be recorded, and your words can be used against you. A simple, unintentional statement like “it looks like the roof was leaking a little bit before the storm” can be all an insurer needs to deny your entire claim based on “pre-existing wear and tear.” It is always smarter to have a professional on your side before you make this official statement.
Why Your First Call Should Be to a Public Adjuster in Orlando, FL
A Public Adjuster Orlando FL is a state-licensed and bonded professional who works exclusively for you, the homeowner, not the insurance company. We are experts in policy, documentation, and negotiation. The team at Claims Advocate Resolution Experts will come to your Orlando, FL home for a free, no-obligation inspection before you are locked into a dispute. We will help you understand your policy, assess the full scope of your damage, and advise you on the best way to file your claim to ensure you are in the strongest possible position from the very beginning.
How a Public Adjuster Levels the Playing Field
The insurance company has a team of adjusters, engineers, and lawyers all working to protect their financial interests. When you file a claim alone, you are an amateur going up against a team of seasoned professionals. Hiring a public adjuster levels the playing field. You are now bringing your own expert to the fight. We handle every aspect of the claim, from filing the paperwork to meeting the company adjuster and negotiating the final settlement, ensuring your rights as a policyholder are protected every step of the way.
How Claims Advocate Resolution Experts Can Help Your Storm Claim
We Have a 98% Success Rate on Orlando, FL Claims
At Claims Advocate Resolution Experts, our results speak for themselves. We bring over 25 years of combined experience to your claim and have a 98% success rate in securing maximum compensation. We are led by Nader Maali, an expert in the Florida insurance landscape. We know the tactics insurance companies use to underpay or deny storm claims, and we have a proven trackB of successfully countering them to get you the settlement you are rightfully owed. We are your local Orlando, FL experts.
We Handle the Entire Process with “No Recovery, No Fee”
We understand that you are under immense financial stress after a storm. That is why we work on a contingency basis. This means you pay us absolutely nothing upfront for our services. We will fund the entire process of documenting, filing, and negotiating your claim. We only get paid a small, agreed-upon percentage of the new money we successfully recover for you from the insurance company. If we do not get you a larger settlement, you owe us nothing. There is zero financial risk to you to have our team of experts on your side.
We Are Your Local Orlando, FL Public Adjuster
After a major hurricane, our area is flooded with “storm chaser” public adjusters from out of state. We are not one of them. We are a local Public Adjuster Orlando FL firm. We live here, we work here, and we are dedicated to helping our neighbors and our community rebuild. We are available to provide emergency services and immediate advice when you suffer a loss. We are your dedicated, local advocates, and we will be here long after the storm has passed to ensure your claim is settled fairly.
Your Partner in the Aftermath of an Orlando Storm
The steps you take in the first 48 hours after a storm will define the outcome of your insurance claim. By prioritizing safety, mitigating further damage, documenting everything, and calling a professional advocate, you can protect your home and your financial future. The experienced team at Claims Advocate Resolution Experts is here to take the entire burden of the claim off your shoulders, so you can focus on what matters most.
Nader Maali
Claims Advocate Resolution Experts (CARE)
7041 Grand National Dr Suite 214, Orlando, FL 32819
(844) 932-2731
https://uscareclaims.com/fl-claims-locations/orlando-fl/
info@uscareclaims.com
