Prepare for Tropical Storm Nicole by Cohen Law Firm

Prepare for Tropical Storm Nicole

by Cohen Law Firm

• Take photos of your property- Interior of Home, Exterior of Home, Roof, Pool and Pool Area, Fencing, Trees, Front Yard, Back Yard.
• If you are not able to take photos before a storm, collect the most recent photos you have taken of your property.
• Document belongings- with proper documentation, you may also be able to recover lost expenses for home contents, personal property, and other items. Here is a list of some items to consider keeping receipts for or appraising: Televisions, Furniture, Jewelry, Artwork, Appliances, Computers, Antiques, Beds, Decks, Other Electronic Equipment
• Know what is in your homeowner’s insurance policy.
• Have records of your property’s condition in the event that you need to file a claim with your insurance company.
• Review your mold coverage.
• Review your flood coverage. This is normally separate insurance policy.
• Ask your insurance agent about coverage for water damage, law and ordinance, debris removal, and additional living expenses.
• Check your hurricane deductible, it can be much higher than your regular deductible.
• Have a plan to move yourself and your family – especially those with special needs.
• Have a portable radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio on hand to monitor important information.
• Homeowners who depend on well water should draw an emergency supply.
• Get cash or travelers checks in case banks or ATMs are not operational.
• Ensure all your electronic/mobile devices are fully charged.
• Gather important documentation and place in waterproof container.
• Make arrangements for pets; emergency shelters may not let you bring your animals with you.
• Find out where the nearest shelter is located and the routes to get there.
• Fill your automobile(s) with gas or ensure your electric vehicle is charged.
• If you have an emergency power source, learn how to use it properly.

• When it is safe to do so, photograph your property’s: Interior, Exterior, and Roof
• Consult with an attorney experienced in handling insurance claims before giving any recorded statements or meeting with an adjuster assigned to the claim.
• Call the insurance carrier and timely report the claim.
• Homeowners should obtain an inspection by a qualified contractor and/or roofer to assess whether the hurricane force winds have damaged or diminished the roofing system and building envelope.
• Take photos and record the questions and answers when talking to adjusters.
• Make sure to keep track of the name and number of every person you talk to at your insurance company.
• Check your Co-Insurance penalties.
• Make a copy of the insurance policy and keep it in a safe place.
• Check your policy coverages and sublimits.
• Just because water has not began to enter the structure does not mean that there is not damage to their property.
• We have seen too many homeowner claims where an engineer is hired months after the storm and the engineer states the damage preexisted the hurricane.
• For more information about the work we do with insurance claims, Click Here.

• Businesses should pay close attention to the storm’s forecast over the weekend. The National Hurricane Center releases a new full advisory every 6 hours, at 5am, 11am, 5pm and 11pm EDT. They are issuing intermediate advisories every 3 hours, between the full advisories (1am, 8am, 1pm, 8pm EDT.)
• During this time, it’s important to review your disaster and emergency communication plan.
• Backup all data on servers and personal computers and ensure remote access is available.
• Ensure your equipment is raised above potential flood levels.
• Review your insurance policies to mitigate any possible gaps in coverage.
• Protect and duplicate important business documents and records. Be sure they are accessible from anywhere.