How To Recover From a Natural Disaster

Moving on after a natural disaster is overwhelming. Hurricanes, tornados, fires, mudslides, and earthquakes can destroy a lifetime of work in seconds. When it is time to repair your home, you have to wait for your homeowner’s insurance provider’s approval. But an insurance adjuster may undervalue your losses or claim the damage isn’t covered.

This page provides information about what you can do to recover from a natural disaster. If you have questions about insurance coverage after a natural disaster, talk to a local insurance lawyer for help.

What Should You Do After a Natural Disaster?

The most important thing to do after a natural disaster is to make sure you and your family are safe. Don’t enter your home if it is unsafe or the property is unstable. If it’s safe, gather your personal belongings and put them in a safe place. Secure your damaged property the best you can. To start the rebuilding process:

• Contact your homeowners’ insurance company to start the claims process
• Take pictures and video of the damage and the property
• Make a home inventory list of lost and damaged personal property
• Keep records and receipts of any additional living expenses

If the federal government declares a natural disaster, you can apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for disaster assistance. Check DisasterAssistance.gov for resources, including Red Cross shelters, Small Business Association (SBA) financial assistance, and FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers.

FEMA can provide funding for repairs and temporary housing not covered by your home insurance. You can apply to FEMA online, by phone, or in person. FEMA may do a home inspection and will issue a decision letter explaining the benefits. You can appeal a benefits denial.

Be on the lookout for fraud or scams. Scammers may claim to be from the insurance company or FEMA. They may try to get you to pay processing fees to speed up your insurance claim. Don’t give out your personal information over the phone to someone you don’t trust.

Does Your Homeowners Insurance Cover Natural Disasters?

After a natural disaster strikes, property insurance coverage depends on where you live, what caused the damage, and your policy’s details. Generally, most homeowners insurance covers:

• Hail
• Tornadoes
• Windstorms
• Wildfires
• Volcanic eruptions

However, most policies do not cover:

• Earthquakes
• Flood damage
• Landslides

Under the National Flood Insurance Program, home buyers in designated flood zones must buy additional flood insurance. On the other hand, California residents do not have to buy additional earthquake coverage. Most insurance policies cover wind damage, but some high-risk areas of the U.S. exclude wind damage in standard policies.

In a hurricane, property damage can come from both high winds and flooding. An insurance adjuster would have to determine whether what exactly caused the damage to your home.

Added coverage for major disasters can be expensive and come with a high deductible. Even your base insurance premiums will likely be expensive if you live in an area prone to disasters. Your state government may offer programs for residents like you if you are having trouble getting insurance coverage.

When Should You File an Insurance Claim After a Natural Disaster?

File an insurance claim as soon as possible after a natural disaster. It can take a long time for insurance agents to respond after a major disaster. Generally, you can make temporary repairs — like covering broken windows or holes in your roof — to damaged property. However, you generally have to wait for the insurance company’s approval to make permanent repairs.

Provide all documentation you have, including your contact information and pictures of property damage. Keep records of any calls, emails, or conversations with insurance adjusters. You can follow up in writing to make sure you understand your rights and obligations.

If you can’t stay in your home after a disaster strikes, keep records of your living expenses. Keep receipts for hotels, meals, and other expenses.

An insurance adjuster or appraiser will review any property damage. They will provide an estimated cost of repairs or replacement. If you don’t agree with the appraisal, your lawyer can try to negotiate a settlement with your insurance company.

Can an Insurance Lawyer Help With Insurance Claims?

The recovery process is not straightforward. There can be problems along the way with your insurance company. The claims adjuster may try to deny coverage for home repairs. Insurance lawyers are familiar with common insurance company tactics to lower what they pay you. A real estate lawyer can review your property damage claim and explain your legal options.

Your lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company to try to get more money for repairs and replacing damaged items. They can file a lawsuit if necessary to try to recover the money you deserve.