Unfortunately, rental property owners are not the only ones who file claims and insurance carriers can experience an overload of them, resulting in denied or unpaid claims. The good news is that rental property owners stand to benefit from following a few steps in order to get their rentals back in order and back on the market.

Call Your Insurance Agent STAT!

As a rental property owner who has experienced hurricane damage, you should immediately contact your insurance agent in order to file a claim. In most cases, your carrier will want to send an adjuster out to evaluate the damage before a formal claim is granted. The adjuster will determine the value of the damage and there are three things you should do before they arrive:

1. Take Stock: Once you have been cleared to return to your rental property, you should take detailed notes of your losses including all water and mold related damages, structural issues, destroyed cabinetry and flooring, windows, damage to the roof and walls, or any standing water that could result in mold. Make sure you have a list of the appliances on the property as well as the model and make for each one. Take pictures of EVERYTHING and utilize video footage when performing your evaluation.
2. Damage Control: Do all that you can in order to prevent further damage from occurring. Seal holes, keep all receipts for any work performed and ensure that you are only being proactive in preventing further damage. Do not make efforts to fix anything as this could interfere with your insurance adjuster's assessment, adversely affecting your financial return. In addition, leave all debris untouched.
3. Communicate: Be sure to speak with your tenant(s) and maintain open lines of communication in order to keep them updated on the status of the property. In the event that temporary housing is necessary, inform your tenant that they make seek reimbursement via the American Red Cross or their renter's insurance policy. Advise your tenants to record loss of personal property and take photos as well.

Will My Policy Reimburse for All Hurricane Damage?

Rental property coverage varies greatly from company to company and factors such as location, size, etc. come into play. Also, coverage is contingent on whether owners select policies covering replacement costs versus full cash value, where the owner resides and coverage limitations.

Here is what rental property owners should expect regarding a possible claim denial:

Basic policies may only cover damage to the structure itself and may not pay for losses to other buildings on the premises such as a garage or shed. Coverage may also be different depending on whether the building is a single apartment, duplex, condominium, or multi-family dwelling.

Some policies do not cover the full costs of hurricane cleanup, including the removal of ruined furniture and downed trees, drying out flooded buildings with pumps and industrial fans, and pulling out muddy or molding carpets.

Commercial policies typically do not offer coverage for damage caused by flooding. Owners will need to pursue flood damage claims through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Your tenants will need to live elsewhere while their apartments are undergoing repairs—and depending on how long repairs take, they may not return at all. Until your units can be re-rented, you will not have any rental income to cover the costs of property taxes, mortgage payments, and ongoing restoration. A policy that includes rental income protection can provide payment to make up this loss.

Related: Hurricane Dorian - SPECIAL OWNER FAQ

Preparing for Dorian

For more information, contact Innovative Property Solutions today!