2011 has been an intense year for extreme weather, especially on the East coast. From blizzards that shut down NYC for days to record rainfalls to the first earthquake in years, residents of the Northeast have spent thousands of dollars recovering from these natural disasters.
It is extremely important that as a homeowner or renter, you understand what your insurance policies will cover from damages arising from
natural disasters. You should take the following steps:
- Get a copy of your insurance policy to determine your coverage. If you don’t fully understand the policy, contact your insurance agent for a complete explanation. Make sure you are aware of:What the insurance policy considers a “natural disaster”
- What items of value are covered under the policy
- What items are NOT covered
- How long you have to file a claim once the disaster occurs
- What you need to do to file a claim
- Keep an inventory of everything of value in your home and on your property.
- If there is a threat of a natural disaster, take all precautions to protect yourself, your family and your property. This includes, but is not limited to, securing loose items on your property, moving valuables to a safer location and evacuating if a voluntary or mandatory evacuation is called.
- As soon as a natural disaster occurs and it is safe to return to your property, take photos, video and written descriptions of all damage.
- Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible to report the property damage claim.
Natural disasters can have a devastating impact on your family and your property. It is important to remain as calm as possible and prepare yourself as much as you can.
If you are unsure of what your insurance policy covers after speaking with your agent, or if you feel the insurance company is not reimbursing you the fair amount you deserve, you should speak with an attorney to learn your legal rights.
Recognized as one of the leading personal injury law firms in the area, Gersowitz, Libo & Korek, P.C. has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients personal injury and premises liability claims in New York and New Jersey. To find out more about attorneys Edward H. Gersowitz, Andrew L. Libo, Jeff S. Korek, Michael A. Fruhling, Brielle C. Goldfaden and James H. Bartolomei, visit https://www.lawyertime.com.
