After a hurricane, business owners should document damage to their building, equipment, inventory, and business operations as soon as it is safe to do so. Photos and videos are a good starting point, but a large commercial claim may also require repair estimates, receipts, financial records, damaged property lists, and insurance correspondence.
A Houston hurricane damage lawyer at Barcus Arenas, PLLC can review the policy and help document the full extent of the loss. Commercial property insurance may cover damage to the buildings, equipment, inventory, and other business property.
Some policies also cover lost business income and added expenses. Flood damage often requires separate coverage. The first inspection may not uncover all of the damage. We can gather additional evidence and challenge the insurer that delays, underpays, or denies a covered hurricane claim.
What to Document for a Commercial Hurricane Claim
A commercial hurricane claim may involve much more than visible building damage. Records can help show what was damaged, what repairs may cost, how the storm affected business operations, and what the insurance company has done with the claim.
Contractors may uncover hidden damage after the first inspection. The insurer may also request more records or question what caused the loss and what repairs should cost. The documentation needed will depend on the property and the policy.
Barcus Arenas, PLLC can help business owners identify useful evidence and compare it with the insurer’s inspection, estimates, and coverage decisions. Business owners should focus on documenting the following parts of the loss:
Take Photos and Videos Before Cleanup or Repairs
Create a visual record before damaged materials are removed or permanent repairs begin. Take wide photos of the building and individual rooms, followed by closer images of damaged areas.
Take pictures of:
- Roofs, siding, windows, and exterior walls
- Ceilings, floors, and interior walls
- HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems
- Signs, fencing, and outdoor structures
- Machinery and business equipment
- Furniture and electronics
- Merchandise, supplies, and stored inventory
Video can help show how damage extends across a large building or several structures. Save the original files when possible because the date and other file information may help prove when the images were taken.
Our attorneys can use photos and videos along with inspection reports, estimates, and other evidence to document the property’s condition after the hurricane.
Make a Detailed List of Damaged Business Property
Photos alone may not show how much the damaged property is worth. Write down the items that were damaged along with how many were affected. Add the age and costs when you have that information. Save receipts, invoices, and other records that can help show what the property was worth.
We will work with qualified professionals to value large losses involving equipment, merchandise, or other business property. Coverage may include furniture, machinery, equipment, and stock, depending on the policy. Keep costly damaged items until the insurer has had a chance to inspect them.
Keep Records of Emergency Work and Repair Costs
Emergency work may be needed before the insurer finishes its investigation. Save receipts, contracts, work orders, and proof of payment for tarps, board-ups, water removal, and other measures taken to protect the property.
Avoid major permanent repairs until the damage is fully assessed, since later inspections may uncover more problems.
Track Lost Income and the Cost of Keeping the Business Running
Business income and extra expense coverage may apply when covered hurricane damage disrupts operations. Keep sales reports, tax returns, payroll records, canceled orders, lost rent records, and receipts for temporary space, equipment rentals, or relocation.
Records from before and after the storm can help show the financial loss. Our insurance claim attorneys can determine whether lost income and added operating costs should be included in the claim.
Document What Caused the Property Damage
The cause of the damage can affect coverage. Wind may damage a roof and allow rain inside, while storm surge or rising water may require separate coverage.
Photograph roof openings, broken windows, water lines, fallen materials, and other signs of what happened. Weather data, inspection reports, and engineering findings may provide further evidence.
If the cause is disputed, our team will work with engineers, contractors, public adjusters, and other professionals to investigate the loss.
Save Documents and Communications From the Insurance Company
Keep everything related to your claim. This can include the policy, endorsements, claim forms, estimates, inspection reports, proof-of-loss documents, emails, letters, and payment records.
These records can show how the insurer handled the claim and where its findings differ from other inspections or estimates. You can also note any important phone conversations with adjusters. Barcus Arenas, PLLC can compare the insurer’s position with the policy and evidence when a dispute develops.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 941-1041
Commercial and Surplus Lines Policies Need a Close Review
The terms of a commercial policy can affect what a business owner needs to document after a hurricane. Exclusions and other provisions may limit what the insurer will pay.
For example, a cosmetic damage exclusion may affect coverage when a storm damages a metal roof, but the insurer claims the roof still functions. Surplus lines insurance policies may also contain arbitration clauses that require certain disputes to be resolved outside court.
Barcus Arenas, PLLC can review these terms and explain how they may affect a large commercial property claim.
Talk With Our Hurricane Damage Lawyer About Your Commercial Claim
There are several things that business owners should document after a hurricane. Detailed records can help establish the size and cause of a hurricane loss. However, disagreements may still arise over coverage, repair costs, or the value of damaged property.
With nearly two decades of combined experience, the Houston insurance claims lawyers at Barcus Arenas, PLLC will review the claim, bring in qualified professionals when needed, and challenge an insurer that refuses to pay what the policy covers.
We focus on substantial and complex property insurance disputes and handle cases on a contingency fee basis. Better Advice, Better Advocates. Call us today to discuss your claim.
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