Accidents never come with a warning, and they always catch you unprepared, whether at a slightly wrecked bumper hit on countless Central Avenue weekends in St. Pete or damage to your home from a storm. And these are just a few of the situations where it matters to know the right way for filing insurance claims, since it can be a major difference when it comes to the claims payout and whether or not they help you recover in the financial sense.
Car Insurance/Accident Claims
When an auto accident occurs, the first thing you need to do is to get everyone out of harm’s way and then go about reporting it to the local authorities if that is necessary. Florida law requires that you carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage while driving in St. Pete. PIP covers the medical expenses incurred by you and your passengers, regardless of responsibility, while PDL covers damages you may cause to another person’s property.
The next thing to do is to file a claim with your insurance provider as soon as possible, generally within the first 24 hours. Some other ideas are also needed, including the date, time, and site of the accident, in conjunction with the police reports and photographs. If the other driver caused the accident, the other driver’s insurance most likely would pay for their car to be repaired, but you would need that documentation to file your claim.
Damage Claims on Property
Property damage claims generally originate from several causes, including fire, wind, flooding, or vandalism. While most homeowners’ insurance policies in St. Petersburg cover some combination of sudden and accidental losses or other types of “named-peril” losses, flood damage typically must be covered separately through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Evaluate damage and take measures to avert further loss by boarding windows or covering gaps in the roof. Immediately notify your insurer. An adjuster will come to the property to assess the damage and estimate repair costs. Pictures, receipts, and a detailed list of affected items will all help hasten the claim.
This post was written by Kelly-Ann Jenkins of Jenkins Law P.L. Kelly-Ann is an auto accident attorney in St Petersburg. She focuses on personal injury, car accidents, and bicyclist injuries. The information on this site is not intended to and does not offer legal advice, legal recommendations, or legal representation on any matter. Hiring an attorney is an important decision, which should not be based on advertising. You need to consult an attorney for legal advice regarding your situation.
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