As we count cost of Hurricane Irma, insurer urges: ‘File a claim. It won’t count against you’
"File a claim. It won't count against you."
For non-hurricane-related claims, that's true, Burt said. Several non-weather-related claims filed within a few years will indeed place customers in a higher risk class, and thus, trigger higher insurance rates.
But the notion that filing an insurance claim will increase premiums in the future is an urban myth, Burt said.
Courtesy
"Hurricane Irma is an act of God," Burt said. "Insurance companies handle acts of God differently. They don't count against you. You need to file your claim. It doesn't hurt you."
Even if a claim is so minor -- a broken window, lost roof tiles, or a dented garage door for example -- that it won't exceed a policyholder's annual hurricane deductible, you should still report that damage, Burt said.
That's because even if you receive no money from that
"You have to report your Irma claim now, because when Jose comes, you'll have it on the record."
Hurricane deductibles in
Plus, sometimes homeowners might not realize the extend of damage they consider minor, he said. A friend who said a tree bounced off his roof but caused no damage later learned major damage was caused to beams under his shingles, Burt said.
Burt said
Claims for Hurricane Irma damages were still coming in on Tuesday, and most insurers contacted by the
A lot of policyholders, particularly those who evacuated from the Keys or
"People with damage haven't been able to call. We'll have a better sense in a week or so," he said.
Here are some insurance tips to help you both before and after the storm. (
Here are some insurance tips to help you both before and after the storm. (
See more videos
The company has dispatched adjusters to inspect properties in the tricounty region as well as to the
Logistical issues such as power outages, flooding and road closures are affecting adjusters' ability to reach properties in
The
Meanwhile, Gov.
They include providing an additional 90 days to policyholders to provide required information to their insurance companies, rescinding for 90 days all non-renewals or cancellations issued to policyholders in the days leading up to Hurricane Irma, and "freezing any and all efforts to increase rates" on policyholders for 90 days.
What the news release didn't say was whether Altmaier has agreed to do what the governor is urging. Reached Tuesday evening, Altmaier spokeswoman
Asked about the Scott news release, Burt said he had just received it and was seeking clarification from the governor's office and the
Burt said policyholders having trouble reaching claims agents by phone can submit claims in a number of other ways: through his company's online portal, its mobile app, by text, or email. "You can post it on Twitter or whatever," he added.
Most insurers also allow online claims submissions.
Claims have been submitted online by
And it's OK that policyholders "get in line" by submitting claims before personally inspecting their properties, he said. "What's the worst that could happen? We send someone out there and they say 'you've got no damage.'"
[email protected], 954-356-4071, twitter: twitter.com/ronhurtibise
___
(c)2017 the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Visit the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) at www.sun-sentinel.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Latest: Broken lights lead to fatal Florida wreck
BRIEF: Hurricane Irma: Trump plans Florida trip to see storm damage
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News