How to file a claim after a hurricane

How to file an insurance claim after a hurricane

To file an insurance claim after a hurricane, contact your insurance company and provide details and documentation of the damage, including photographs. Confirm your deductible and coverage limits, and obtain written repair estimates for the damage. You may need to file multiple claims with your homeowners insurance, flood insurance and auto insurance depending on what is damaged and the cause.

Document the damage to structures and personal property. Here are some tips:
- Take pictures. Before and after pictures are key. It’s a good idea to have before pictures of your home and property on hand. This helps the insurance company gauge the amount of damage the storm caused. This applies whether you live in a storm-prone area or not.
- Write detailed notes. Make a list of all damaged property and items.
- Take videos during and after the storm if possible.
- Collect serial numbers and receipts. If these can be salvaged, they will help with your claims.

Contact your insurance company. Call your insurance agency right away to start the hurricane insurance claim process, don’t wait. There should be a claims number on your policy or online.

Confirm your hurricane deductible. In high-risk states, hurricane deductibles are calculated as a percentage of your home's insured value rather than a flat dollar amount, meaning the amount you owe before your insurer pays can be significantly higher than a standard deductible. Contact your insurer to confirm the exact percentage and dollar amount that applies to your policy.

Get repair estimates in writing. Your insurance company will want any repair estimates in writing. Sometimes, they will recommend a repair shop, other times you can choose.

Understand your coverage. Before an emergency hits, read your policy and know what’s covered. Review your coverage with your insurance agency and make any updates before storm season. Most insurance companies won’t sell additional coverage once a storm warning is in effect.

Remember that a hurricane causes widespread damage, leaving insurance companies inundated with claims. It may be difficult to get through on the phone. Check the insurer's website to find out if they have a mobile unit in the area or for additional information on getting in touch.

Which policy should you file a hurricane claim against?

The policy you file against depends on the type of damage: homeowners insurance covers wind and structural damage, flood insurance covers water intrusion from storm surge or flash flooding, and auto insurance covers vehicle damage if you have comprehensive coverage. You may need to file with more than one insurer after a single hurricane.

Policy	What it covers	What it excludes
Homeowners insurance	Wind damage, rain damage through wind-damaged surfaces, structural damage, personal property, additional living expenses	Flood damage
Flood insurance	Water damage from storm surge, flash flooding, mudflow	Landscaping, cars, outdoor structures, finished basements, pools
Auto insurance with comprehensive coverage	Hurricane damage to vehicles from wind, hail, falling branches	Personal property in the vehicle
Renters insurance	Personal belongings	Flood damage to belongings, structural damage

Homeowners insurance and condo insurance

Homeowners insurance covers structural damage to your home, garage and sheds and personal property inside the home, and additional living expenses, including hotels, meals and transportation, if you can't live at home during repairs.

If you own a condo, the damage will be split between the HOA’s policy, which covers the structure and any common areas, and your condo policy, which covers your personal property. Because condo association rules vary, there may be some differences in terms of which policy covers what.

Homeowners insurance does not cover flooding. In all cases, you must have a separate flood insurance policy.

Renters insurance

Renters insurance covers your personal belongings for hurricane-related damage, with the same exception as homeowners. Renters insurance doesn’t cover flooding damage to your belongings– you must purchase a separate flood policy.

Your landlord’s homeowners policy covers damage to the building. You are not responsible for damage to the roof, exterior siding, windows or any other part of the structure.

Car or motorcycle insurance

Car insurance covers hurricane damage from things like falling tree branches, hail and non-collision-related damage if you have opted for comprehensive insurance coverage. The same applies to a motorcycle insurance policy or any other vehicle damaged in a storm.

Flood insurance

Flood insurance covers damage caused by overland flooding, including flash floods from heavy rain and storm surges caused by hurricanes. Standard flood insurance doesn’t cover:

Damage to landscaping
Cars
Outdoor structures
Finished basements
Pools

Review your policy's coverage and exclusions to confirm what's covered and what's not.

When should you file a hurricane insurance claim?

Call your insurer immediately after the storm to start the claims process. After a major disaster, check your insurer's website for information on mobile claims unites or alternative contact methods if phone lines are congested.

Delaying your claim filing can result in denial. Most homeowners insurance policies require prompt reporting of damage and require policyholders to take reasonable steps to prevent further loss. Waiting too long after a hurricane may give your insurer grounds to deny your claim on the basis that damage worsened due to inaction.

How long after a hurricane can you file a claim?

Filing deadlines for hurricane insurance claims vary by state. Florida allows one year to file; Louisiana requires filing within 180 days. Other states set their own deadlines through insurance department regulations. Contact your state's insurance department or review your policy's conditions section to confirm the deadline that applies to you.

State	Hurricane claim filing deadline
Florida	1 year
Louisiana	180 days
All other states	Varies; check your state insurance department

How to deal with an insurance adjuster after a hurricane

To get the most from your adjuster interaction, document all damage before the visit, prepare a written inventory of damaged items, and ask specific questions about deadlines, temporary repairs, and claim timeline at the start of the conversation. Keep written records of everything the adjuster tells you.

Questions to ask your adjuster include:

How long will the claims process take?
Are there any important deadlines for paperwork that you have to meet?
Should you make any temporary repairs?

Document all your damage so the adjuster has photos and if possible, videos of what’s damaged. Have an inventory of all the items– a written list and/or receipts if they could be salvaged.

What happens if your hurricane insurance claim is denied or underpaid?

If you disagree with the adjuster's decision on a denial or settlement amount, you have several options: file a formal appeal with your insurer, request an independent appraisal, contact your state's insurance department, or consult a public adjuster or insurance attorney. Review your policy's dispute resolution section for the process and any deadlines that apply.

Review the denial letter and compare the insurer's reasoning against your policy language and the documentation you submitted.
File a formal written appeal with your insurer citing specific policy provisions and supporting evidence.
Request an independent appraisal or invoke your policy's appraisal clause if the dispute is over the value of the damage.
File a complaint with your state's insurance department if you believe the denial is improper.
Consult a public adjuster, who can re-document your damage and negotiate on your behalf, or an insurance attorney if bad faith is involved.

FAQ: Hurricane claims

How soon can you expect a hurricane claim to be settled?

Hurricane claims typically take from a few weeks to a few months to settle depending on the complexity of the damage and the volume of claims your insurer is processing after the storm. State laws set maximum timeframes for insurers to acknowledge, investigate, and pay claims, but widespread hurricane damage can extend the process. Contact your insurer for a specific estimate once your claim is filed.

How can FEMA help file a hurricane insurance claim?

No, FEMA doesn't help with filing a hurricane insurance claim, but can assist with other aspects of the process. FEMA provides disaster assistance to fill gaps when insurance does not cover certain hurricane damage. If your home was damaged and you have unmet needs after your insurance claim, apply for FEMA assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. If you purchased your flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), FEMA can also assist with the flood claims process directly.

Should I make temporary repairs before the adjuster arrives?

Yes, make temporary repairs before the adjuster arrives if they can be done safely, and document everything with photos before and after the work. Keep all receipts for materials and labor, as most homeowners insurance policies reimburse reasonable temporary repair costs. Do not begin permanent repairs until after the adjuster has inspected and documented the damage.