What are the first steps to take if a hurricane damages my rental property?

Once a landlord has determined his tenants are safe, the next priority is to assess the rental property damage followed by contacting his insurance agent.

When the weather emergency has ended, and authorities have declared it safe for owners and residents to return to a damaged property, a landlord should inspect the property to determine the extent and type of damage to the property. Inspection should include a thorough inventory of damage to the building(s) for structural damage including roof, walls, and foundation, and interior damage to contents including furnishings and appliances. There may be flood damage as well. During the inspection a landlord should document the damage by taking pictures and/or a video recording. This documentation will aid in the processing of insurance claims.

To help prevent further damage to the property until repairs can be made and to prevent injury to others, a landlord should secure the property by covering damage to the roof and walls with plastic sheeting or plywood board. This measure is to prevent additional loss; the landlord should not proceed with removal of debris or to repair damage. Until the landlord has contacted his insurance agent, filed a claim, and the insurance company has completed their property inspection and damage assessment, the landlord cannot begin work to repair or restore the rental property.

Insurance coverage for hurricane damage to rental property can vary among insurance carriers and the coverages purchased by the landlord. Available coverage can depend on the property location, the type of property (single family, multi-family, etc.), the number of units, policy type, policy limits, policy exclusions, and whether the policy is for replacement cost or actual cash value.

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