An Introduction To Commercial Hurricane Damage Claims

When you’re a business owner, it’s easy to think that a natural disaster will never hit you. But hurricanes are no joke and can cause severe damage to your commercial property. If a hurricane damages your building, you can take steps to protect yourself against financial loss. This article will explain what types of losses are covered under a commercial insurance policy, how claims made after hurricane damage are processed, and why it’s important to act in good faith during the commercial hurricane damage claims process.

What Is A Commercial Hurricane Damage Claim?

A commercial hurricane damage claim is a demand for payment from your insurance company after the hurricane.

When you file a commercial hurricane damage claim, it’s important to understand that this is only the first step in the insurance process. Filing a claim does not guarantee any coverage or compensation—it simply establishes that something happened and that you’re seeking compensation for damages due to it.

Why Are Hurricanes So Costly To Business Owners?

Hurricanes are tropical cyclones that can cause extensive damage to buildings, vehicles, and other property. There are several reasons for this:

Hurricane winds can tear apart the roofs of buildings, breaking through the protective covering and causing interior damage.
Hurricanes carry with them torrential rains that lead to flooding, which can cause extensive damage to equipment, inventory, and vehicles.
The storm surge caused by hurricanes can flood coastal areas with salt water, destroying equipment like oil wells or pipelines and offshore drilling platforms. A single hurricane has been known to wipe out an entire year’s worth of oil production in one fell swoop!

Hurricane Katrina was responsible for over $80 billion in damages across the Gulf Coast region alone – more than any other natural disaster in US history!

What Common Mistakes Are Commercial Property Owners Making After A Hurricane Damages Their Property?

When a commercial property owner suffers hurricane damage, several common mistakes can be made. Some of these include:

Not taking pictures or documenting the damage. It is important to document everything after a hurricane so that you can claim it later on and make sure you are compensated for all damages.
Not getting an inspection. This is another very important step in your claim process because it will help determine what exactly needs to be repaired or replaced on your property.
Not getting an estimate if necessary and not filing a claim with your insurance company quickly enough after the storm hits.

What Are The Steps In Making A Hurricane Damage Claim?

Call your insurance company and request a claim number.
Gather all relevant documents, such as receipts and photos of the damage.
Make a claim by submitting everything you’ve gathered to the insurance company.
If your claim is denied, appeal with more evidence or try a different angle to make the case that it should be paid out. If this doesn’t work, file a lawsuit against them for non-payment of what they promised in writing when you bought their policy (that is, if they promised anything about paying for hurricane damage).
If you win in court and get paid on your claim(s), congratulations! You may not have to pay taxes on it because some tax breaks are available for disaster victims like yourself who had no way of knowing they would get hit by something bad enough that caused major property damage at their home or business location.

What Is The Insurance Company’s Obligation To Act In Good Faith With Respect To The Hurricane Damage?

The insurance company has an obligation to act in good faith with respect to your claim. This means that it must make a good faith effort to settle the claim and that it must not act in bad faith. It also means that the insurance company cannot act in an unfair or unreasonable way when resolving your claim.

Conclusion

It is important to note that the steps outlined above are only a guide, and you may need additional assistance in making your claim. If you have any questions about your insurance policy or property damage after a hurricane, it’s always best to contact an experienced attorney who can help guide you through the process.