What to Do After a Hurricane | State Farm®

October 31, 2022

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Despite taking the proper precautions to prepare your home for a hurricane, damage does occur. one of the first questions in your mind may be the following:

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does homeowners insurance cover hurricane damage?

It is important to check with your individual insurer to determine if your home, condo, or rental property is protected from hurricane damage. this could include wind and rain damage from the effects of the hurricane. If your home is located in a higher-risk hurricane area, you may find a deductible set just for hurricanes. and flooding is not usually covered by a homeowners policy. talk to your agent about getting flood insurance.

Reading: What to do after a hurricane insurance

If you live in a hurricane-prone area, following the steps outlined here can help protect your property from further wind and water damage and prevent injury to you or your family while you begin the cleanup process.

how to clean up after a hurricane

With the proper safety gear, such as goggles, hard hats, masks, heavy gloves, and waterproof boots, begin the cleanup process. but before you begin, you should contact your insurance agent, they may be able to provide assistance or help you file your claim. Also, don’t dispose of or repair anything before reporting the claim.

Scan Area for Hazards: Before any cleanup, scan the property. If there are unusual odors, water near appliances or outlets, the building structure is questionable, or you see any chemicals in the water, check with your local authorities and utilities to make sure it’s safe to return.
Start drying the building: If you can, remove only damaged drywall, carpeting and padding, and remove damp baseboards and cabinet skid plates. save samples of the carpets you have removed. leave your house as well ventilated as possible. Document your damage by taking photos. To help prevent further rain damage, use tarps to cover as much of your property as possible.
Start the cleanup: If you do the cleanup yourself, be careful not to hurt yourself or others. keep track of the time and money you spend protecting your property. If you decide to use a contractor, get a receipt for the cost of labor and materials to give to your claims representative. do not do any repair work until you discuss it with your claims representative. it may be beneficial to get an estimate first.
Document and Photograph Everything: To help with the insurance claim process, be sure to document any damaged items. You can do this by providing receipts for damaged items, photographing the items, and taking a room-by-room inventory of lost or damaged items. include manufacturers’ names, dates and places of purchase, and prices.
- Do not dispose of expensive items, such as large televisions and furniture, until authorized by your claims representative. these items may need to be inspected first.
- Store Personal Property Safely: Take all personal property, especially small valuables like jewelry, to a safe place to prevent theft.
- Take special care with antiques and art: Handle antiques, objects of art, sterling silver and brass with special care. let them dry, but do not oil or rub them, as this could damage the finishes or surfaces.
- clean and dry wooden furniture as soon as possible: be careful not to rub abrasives such as dirt or plaster that may have fallen on the surfaces.
- dry furniture and bedding: try to dry bedding and upholstered furniture that have minor water damage. however, bedding that has become saturated should be discarded. do not store other possessions near these items.
- Dry and clean carpets and rugs with minor water damage: Carpets or rugs that have been soaked in water should be disposed of as above.
- Dry metal objects: To prevent corrosion, dry any metal objects, such as appliances and curtain rods, then rub or spray with a suitable cleaning solution.
- Dry, but do not oil, radios, televisions and other electronic devices: Any electronic equipment exposed to water should be serviced by a professional before use.