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What to expect when processing insurance claims after a hurricane or flood
Many folks in Florida are working to rebuild their lives after floods from then-Hurricane Ian wiped out their homes and businesses. As they sift through the wreckage and rubble, one of the countless thoughts racing through their minds may be, "Does my insurance cover this?"
Many folks in Florida and South Carolina are working to rebuild their lives after floods from then-Hurricane Ian wiped out their homes and businesses.
As they sift through the wreckage and rubble, one of the countless thoughts racing through their minds may be, "Does my insurance cover this?"
"Insurance [companies] are standing by, ready and prepared to help their policyholders rebuild and recover post-hurricane," said Logan McFadden, vice president of state government relations at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.
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The first task insurance consumers should take is to contact their insurance company to start the claims filing process, McFadden advised. This will help them receive assistance, such as a list of reputable contractors for repairs and additional living expenses.
Flooding in Orlando's Orlovista neighborhood due to Ian. Flooding in Geneva, Florida due to Ian. Volusia County School District adjusts bus stop pickups and drop-offs because of flooding due to Ian. A flooded neighborhood in Daytona Beach due to Ian. Courtesy: Orange County Deputies Flooding at Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando following Hurricane Ian, Sept. 27, 2022. Flooding in the Cyprus Lake area of Florida, seen from the air (WFOR image via FOX) Emergency crews drive through flooding in the Cyprus Lake area of Florida, seen from the air (WFOR image via FOX) Flooding in Orange County following Hurricane Ian, Sept. 27, 2022. Flooding in Orange County following Hurricane Ian, Sept. 27, 2022. Flooding in Orange County following Hurricane Ian, Sept. 27, 2022. Flooding in Orange County following Hurricane Ian, Sept. 27, 2022. Flooding in Orange County following Hurricane Ian, Sept. 27, 2022. Flooding in Orange County following Hurricane Ian, Sept. 27, 2022. Flooding in Orange County following Hurricane Ian, Sept. 27, 2022. Flooding in Orange County following Hurricane Ian, Sept. 27, 2022. Flooding along Orange Ave. in the SODO neighborhood in Downtown Orlando following Hurricane Ian, Sept. 27, 2022 TOPSHOT - People canoe on a flooded street in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Orlando, Florida on September 29, 2022. - Hurricane Ian left much of coastal southwest Florida in darkness early on Thursday, bringing "catastrophic" flooding that left officials readying a huge emergency response to a storm of rare intensity. The National Hurricane Center said the eye of the "extremely dangerous" hurricane made landfall just after 3:00 pm (1900 GMT) on the barrier island of Cayo Costa, west of the city of Fort Myers. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) TOPSHOT - Clouds are reflected on a flooded street with submerged cars in the Orlovista neighborhood following Hurricane Ian on October 1, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. - Deadly Hurricane Ian, one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the United States, was still dumping rain on parts of the country early Saturday, but was beginning to wind down after walloping Florida. (Photo by Bryan R. Smith / AFP) (Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images) This aerial view shows a man walking to retrieve some of his belongings from his flooded house in the Orlovista neighborhood following Hurricane Ian on October 1, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Bryan R. Smith / AFP) (Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images) This aerial view shows a flooded street in the Orlovista neighborhood following Hurricane Ian on October 1, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. - Shocked Florida communities counted their dead Saturday as the full scale of the devastation came into focus, two days after Hurricane Ian tore into the coastline as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the United States. (Photo by Bryan R. Smith / AFP) (Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images) Flooding on Orlando City streets left this driver stuck on Lake Shore Drive and North Mills Avenue after the high winds and rain from Hurricane Ian passed through Orlando, Florida, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) ORLANDO, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 1: Edgar Soriano wades through water in his neighborhood after picking up items from his home which was flooded by rain from Hurricane Ian on October 1, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. The storm caused widespread flooding in several areas of Orlando after making landfall in the Fort Myers area as a Category 4 hurricane. (Photo by Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) One of those expenses may include a rental car. According to McFadden, any car that has water damage is typically covered under a comprehensive physical damage policy. Part of that coverage typically includes rental cars.
McFadden did give a note of caution for people whose cars were flooded.
"Do not try to start that car," she said. "If there has been water damage, the floorboards are wet, the seats are wet, your air filter under your hood is wet, because they can just make the damage worse."
As far as rebuilding a home goes, McFadden said additional living expenses may be provided, but that can only be determined by contacting an insurance carrier.
For example, temporary housing may be provided if the damaged home is uninhabitable.
"Contacting your insurance carrier is definitely the first step to see what is covered," said McFadden.
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