Storm Damage

Everybody has one friend that just has to take pictures of everything. You will love that person should you suffer storm damage.

Here on the Gulf Coast, you would think we were all prepared for what is the inevitable following a serious storm, but many of us would rather sit with an opposing football team’s fans than talk about insurance.

Let me give you my best legal advice about insurance and storm damage … take pictures, pictures and more pictures. Take pictures now before any damage occurs. Take pictures of the damage. Take pictures of the repairs. You say you had a hot tub off the master bedroom balcony but try to prove that when your second floor is just pieces of wood about 4 blocks away.

Now if you do not take my advice, be glad you live in the digital age. There are probably pictures on someone’s Facebook page of your last Iron Bowl party. These can often be used to support claims.

Of course the best thing is to take pictures and store them away from your home. If your house goes, the pictures are still available. Really, take an hour and shoot the contents of your home and the structure. You don’t even have to have the pictures processed anymore.

I had a client that did this one day with his dog following along. There are about 100 pictures of the dog but he still got the patio grill area, bedrooms and garage documented. He said it was actually fun.

In my experience, most insurance claims are paid fairly promptly. However when they are not, you will need an experienced attorney and as much evidence as you can gather to solve the problem. You may find it very hard without help. Besides, you need to get your house fixed. That is a full time job.

If you are injured or suffer property damage, you can talk to us at  Eiland and Ritchie  for free. There is no charge unless we collect for you. We want to help you get back on your feet.

Allen Ritchie

Alabama personal injury lawyer

The post After Storm Damage, Befriend the Neighbor with the Camera first appeared on Steele Ritchie.