Herman, Herman & Katz has created this Homeowner and Business Checklist to assist you in your preparation for hurricane season.
❏ Obtain a certified copy of your insurance policy and declaration page.
❏ Contact your insurer and make a claim on your policy.
❏ Video/photograph all of the damage sustained (date stamped if possible).
❏ Save and maintain copies of all receipts, checks, estimates and invoices of all pre and post-disaster expenses, purchases, rentals, leases, etc. which support a claim for property or business loss.
❏ Mitigate your damages by making temporary precautionary repairs to your damaged premises (after photographs and/or video have been taken).
❏ Mitigate your damages by taking the necessary steps to get your business up and running.
❏ Maintain a copy of the latest appraisal of your premises, equipment and business personal property.
❏ Discuss your loss of income with your accountant and formulate a process for calculating the losses.
❏ Obtain a licensed contractor’s estimates for damage to premises and timeline for repair (if there are structural problems, retain an engineer to diagnose the extent and cause of the damage).
❏ Obtain estimates for damage to premises, business personal property, equipment, machinery, etc.
❏ Prepare and inventory list of all premises, business personal property, equipment, machinery, etc.
❏ Prepare a map of the damaged premises that includes the location of the business personal property, equipment, machinery, etc.
❏ Gather five years of tax returns.
❏ Diary and confirm conversations that you have with insurance claims representatives, adjusters, experts, etc. by letter and/or email.
❏ Obtain a current financial statement and balance sheet.
❏ Document business income losses.
❏ Prepare the appropriate “Proof of Loss” pursuant to the terms of the policy.
❏ Consider hiring professionals to assist you in the preparation and submission of your claim(s).
