Podcast Description
In Episode 9 of “It’s No Accident,” hosts Mark Nonni and Jaeson Homola, along with guest host Chris Ferraro, delve into the critical importance of preparing for hurricane season through meticulous documentation of property and personal belongings. The trio discusses how taking proactive steps, such as photographing your home’s condition and cataloging valuable items, can be a game-changer when dealing with insurance claims after storm damage. They emphasize the power of having detailed, dated evidence to counteract insurance companies’ common practice of denying claims based on supposed pre-existing conditions. The episode is packed with practical tips and real-life scenarios that underline the necessity of being well-prepared before disaster strikes.
Don’t miss this insightful discussion on how to safeguard your assets and ensure fair treatment from insurance providers. Tune into Episode 9 of “It’s No Accident” to learn how to turn your smartphone into a powerful tool for protecting your home and belongings. Whether you’re a seasoned homeowner or new to hurricane-prone areas, this episode is a must-listen as hurricane season approaches.
Episode Transcript
Q: After Hurricane Michael, how often did clients hire you after being either denied or lowballed by their insurance companies, and then after you got involved and submitted proper documentation, the insurance company’s position changed?
A: Honestly, it happened all the time—hundreds of times. Hiring an attorney and submitting the right documentation made all the difference. Often, insurance companies didn’t want to risk paying attorney fees and would prefer just to pay what they should’ve paid from the start once they knew legal pressure was involved.
Q: So, it was the threat of legal involvement that moved things along?
A: Exactly. But I don’t want to dwell too much on how legislation used to work. What’s more helpful is explaining how homeowners can help themselves, especially before a storm even happens.
We all know hurricane season is fast approaching. With record-high water temperatures, forecasts are predicting five to eight major storms. Hopefully, we avoid them, but preparation is key. And that doesn’t just mean stocking up on water or gas or planning an evacuation. It means preparing your home and your claim potential.
Most people have a high-tech camera in their pocket—your phone. Take 30 minutes to walk around your home and photograph everything: interior walls, exterior, roof, appliances, furnishings. It may feel silly, but it’s absolutely worth it. Those photos are essential if a storm causes damage and the insurer claims it’s pre-existing or due to settlement or a construction defect.
For example, if a major crack appears after a storm and the insurer claims it was there before, a photo with date metadata showing that it wasn’t can be invaluable. Most people don’t think about this ahead of time, but it’s one of the smartest things you can do.
Q: What types of damage tend to be disputed the most?
A: Roof and water damage are often easier to prove and usually covered. But things like cracked windows or fogged glass from pressure changes during storms are rarely accepted as storm damage unless something obvious—like a tree—breaks the window. These are expensive repairs, and they’re almost always denied unless you can prove otherwise.
People also underestimate roof damage. High winds lift shingles, letting water in, and then the shingles fall back down, hiding the issue. Even if they look okay, they might be compromised. That kind of damage shortens the roof’s life and can lead to further problems.
Q: So, the more documentation you have, the better your chances of resolving a claim without needing a lawyer?
A: Exactly. With legislative changes making things tougher, having direct evidence—photos taken within a year—gives you much more leverage and often eliminates the need for a lawyer altogether. Even if you do end up needing legal help, those photos become crucial evidence.
Too often, it turns into a “he said, she said” situation: the homeowner says something wasn’t damaged before, while the insurer’s expert claims it was. Having dated proof eliminates the argument.
Q: You had a personal experience with that at your condo, right?
A: Yes, I did. I had a pipe burst at a rental property, and I noticed later that a door wouldn’t close and a window wouldn’t open. Turned out the foundation had cracked. The insurance adjuster claimed it was a pre-existing settlement, but luckily, the flooring company had taken pictures when they replaced the floors. Those photos showed no cracks at the time, and once we submitted them, the insurer quickly agreed to pay the claim.
Q: So, photo evidence turned a denied claim into a paid claim.
A: Exactly. When there’s doubt, insurers pay less. Photos reduce doubt. They’re thinking, “How will we explain this to a jury?” If you’ve got dated pictures that show no damage before the storm and serious damage afterward, it’s hard for them to justify denial.
Q: And this extends beyond just the home’s structure, right?
A: Absolutely. Content coverage—personal belongings—is another area where people lose out. Most don’t have receipts for clothes, furniture, or electronics. But you can walk through your house, closet, or kitchen with your phone and document it all in minutes.
Refrigerators, washers, dryers, microwaves—all of those are considered contents, not part of the home structure. If you lose power or have flooding, electronics in those appliances can fail. You want photos of them, especially serial numbers or model numbers if possible.
Q: What about furniture, clothes, and personal items?
A: Same rule. Open your closet, take a picture. Open drawers, take pictures. Take a video walkthrough. It’s for your memory as much as it is for documentation. After a disaster, most fabric or wood items get trashed immediately, and people don’t think to photograph them first. But if you have photos beforehand, it jogs your memory and gives you a record of what you had.
Q: And that can save thousands of dollars in disputes?
A: Exactly. Even if it’s ballpark, at least you have something to point to. I’ve had clients with large collections—like cologne or handbags—that insurers questioned. Photos stopped those disputes cold. Without documentation, adjusters get skeptical. With it, they’re much less likely to argue.
Q: So, in summary?
A: Document everything. Take photos or videos of your home’s interior, appliances, closets, and furniture. Do it now, before hurricane season hits. It might seem like a hassle, but if your home is damaged, those few minutes could save you thousands and keep you from needing legal intervention altogether.
Mark continued his studies at Florida State University College of Law, graduating cum laude in 2008. While in law school, Mark was a member of the Journal of Land Use & Environmental Law and the Journal of Transnational Law & Policy, as well as a certified legal intern with the FSU Public Interest Law Center, where he assisted low-income clients with a wide range of family law issues. He also served as a law clerk intern to The Honorable L. Clayton Roberts of Florida’s First District Court of Appeal.
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