Hurricane Irma has (slowly) come and gone – what now?
- Check in with family and friends, if you haven’t already done so.
- Keep away from loose or dangling power lines & report any found to the power company immediately.
- If your power went out, check your refrigerated food for spoilage. Throw out any food if you have any doubt over whether it is spoiled. (If your power hasn’t been restored, turn off major appliances to reduce the chances of damaging in the case of a power surge.)
- Seek professional help for electrical repairs.
- Wear protective clothing and be cautious when cleaning up to avoid injury.
- Obey curfews and the authorities. They are there for your protection.
– Insurance Claims:
- Take photos of any damage to your home and vehicles.
- Call your insurance companies as soon as possible and keep your claim number handy.
- Damage to your car from downed trees and flooding should be covered by the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance.
- Keep receipts for expenses related to immediate repairs you had to make to secure your homes and for any living expenses if your home is not livable.
- Be wary of people claiming to be insurance adjusters and beware of robocalls asking for insurance payments or other information.
- Do not sign over claims benefits or sign Assignment of Benefits from any contractors
- If you have no insurance, check nonprofit groups and DisasterAssistance.gov (run by FEMA) to see if you qualify for aid.
- Sometime in the next few months, while the memory of Hurricane Irma is still fresh, plan ahead for the next one! You can never be too prepared.
