he 2008 Hurricane Season is upon us; having started on June 1st, the hurricane season runs through November 30th. The 2008 Hurricane Season was predicted to be “above average”, however to date the season and the tropics have been relatively quiet with only a few named storms, and only one that impacted south Texas. Historically however, the worst storms form in August through October. One needs to look back to the volatile 2004 and 2005 seasons when seven (7) storms crashed upon the U.S. coastlines killing scores of people and causing billions of dollars in property damages. Guess who has not forgotten about past storms ? Answer: Your insurance company. Policy owners in effected coastal and hurricane zone areas have seen rate increases year after year to pay for past losses and payouts for property damages. As a result, now is the time for home and property owners to evaluate their property casualty insurance to assure that they are covered in case of storm damage loss. The following hurricane insured preparedness tips should assist the policy owner when pending storms are imminent.

Take photos and make a list of your personal property – Normally your insurance policy has different coverages for property and personal property damages (i.e. clothes, food, furniture). By taking photos or video of both the internal and external property of your house and taking an inventory of the major items will greatly assist any claim against your insurance carrier.

Maintain trees and shrubbery and other outside objects in a safe location – trees and shrubbery branches often become trajectories during a storm, and uprooted trees can actually impale both your home and that of neighbors.

Video and Photograph the property right after the storm. It is critical to take photos to show any immediate damages to property and personal property to disclose the causation factor. If you end up in an eventual dispute with your insurance company regarding damages the photos and videos you take right after the storm are normally your best evidence to show that damages occurred.

Keep your important documents and records in a safe place – A small lock box, or hand held file carrier can be transported easily and is a safe way to transport records and documents with you if you are required to evacuate your house.

If you lose power, save all receipts for food, hotels, and other expenses – Often you may be forced to vacate your house quickly with a pending storm. From the time you leave your house, until your return, your insurance company is responsible for your out of pocket expenses for spoiled food, hotel stays, and other expenses for having to leave your home.

Contact your insurance company immediately after the storm – Don’t wait to contact your insurance company to see if you have damages, more then likely the insurance company will be swamped with calls for damages; get inline and contact your insurance carrier to assess your damages.

Record the time it takes you to clean-up. It may reimbursable. – Take notes on all the hours and expenditures you have for your clean-up efforts. Things such as hotel, gas, and sometimes even food receipts may be reimbursable under your policy.

Write down the date and name of the insurance adjuster that visited your home. – It is critical when an insurance adjuster visits your home that they have the correct licenses and general liability coverages required for your state. Insurance companies rarely track as closely as they should. Dates and times may become a key issue if the case goes to court.

Make sure the insurance company gives you a claim number – Once you contact your insurance company ask them for a claim number and note the time and date of your call and if possible the person you spoke with on the phone. Keep track of every conversation and keep notes.

Do not sign any forms or documnets that say ‘release’ – Do not sign any releases on your claim. Depending on your state statutes, you may have several years to report a claim for damages. Damages can sometimes manifest themselves months after your loss.

If you feel you have been underpaid or are not paid on your claim contact a Lawyer, your insurance commissioner, or even a public adjuster if your state allows that specializes in first party contract claims. Insurance companies are in business because they take in more then they pay out, and the first pass of reimbursement for damages may not amount to what you are due under the policy for final damages as a result of your loss If you receive a check, go ahead and deposit it but do not sign any releases on your claim. Many people believe that if they find future damages attributable to the storm that they will not be able to recover more money if they have already received a check- not true. If you are not sure contact a lawyer.

If you feel you have been underpaid on your claim contact an attorney, your insurance commissioner, or even a public adjuster if your state allows that specializes in first party contract claims. Insurance companies are in business because they take in more then they pay out, and the first pass of reimbursement for damages may not amount to what you are due under the policy for final damages as a result of your loss.

Do you have hurricane damage call Attorney Chris Lim at (800) 979-1937 or visit the website at Tampa Bay Lawyers. CHris has experience helping home owners as well as condo associations with there legal calims. For help in Ohio call Akron lawyers KNR Legal.

Whatever pertaining to foreclosure-shortsaleonlyus.com

Foreclosure, a term very common nowadays in various countries, is a process in which a lender, or mortgagee, obtains the right to cancel the borrower?s equitable right in a property. This happens when a borrower, who has mortgaged his property, defaults his return payment to the mortgagee. Both lender and borrowers should have a thorough knowledge of whatever pertaining to foreclosure. Foreclosures from all parts of the world make a striking alarm for every house owner to have the knowledge of foreclosure. Most of the foreclosures are carried out through a court order and whatever pertaining to foreclosure should have the legal processes associated with it.

Foreclosure process can be initiated by the lien-holder if the mortgagor didn?t repay the loan within the deadline set for repayment. However, one has to careful with conditions related to foreclosures. Property owners can have a grace period, normally known as pre-foreclosure period, for repaying the outstanding amount. Until the end of the pre-foreclosure period, lenders cannot cancel the equitable rights of the property owner and whatever pertaining to foreclosure can only be taken after the pre-foreclosure period. During the pre-foreclosure period, the mortgagor can sell his property to anyone in order to repay his default amount voluntarily.

Foreclosure process is almost same everywhere but different states follow different rules for foreclosures. For example, let?s check the foreclosure laws of two different states say Alabama and Illinois. Judicial foreclosures as well as non-judicial foreclosures are available in Alabama, whereas only judicial foreclosures are available in Illinois. Alabama, like most states, allows a redemption period of 12 months, while Illinois doesn?t allow any right of redemption. Foreclosures can be carried out through mortgages or deeds of trusts in Alabama, while Illinois allows a variety of options for foreclosures. Hence, lien-holders, as well as mortgagor, should be aware of whatever pertaining to foreclosure laws depending upon their locality. It is a wise option to get the advice of a lawyer, or real estate advisor, who has been specialized in this field for many years.

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