There’s no doubt if you’ve weathered the storm and come out on the other side of a hurricane safely, you’re more than grateful just to be alive. While the devastating effects of a hurricane can seem insurmountable, DomiDocs® offers a step-by-step process to help you assess what to do, whether your home was slightly damaged or is beyond repair. Here’s our DomiDocs Guide: What to Do After a Hurricane Hits.
Secure Temporary Lodging
If you’re not able to stay in your home after a hurricane has wreaked havoc upon it, you’ll need to secure other lodgings. This could mean staying with friends or family temporarily, securing an Airbnb or a hotel, or using local resources to seek out an emergency shelter. If your home will be undergoing repairs, your insurance company may provide funds to help cover lodging and other expenses, however, there may be financial limitations as per your policy coverage. And while it’s tempting to enter your home to collect personal possessions including clothing and supplies before moving to temporary housing, downed power lines and open areas of your home can pose a significant risk so it’s best to follow emergency guidelines and evaluate any hazards before doing so.
Maintain Your Mental Health
We all know that someone in distress is almost incapable of helping someone else, so as a homeowner it’s important to take steps to relieve stress brought about by living through a natural disaster. According to the American Psychiatric Association, children are more resilient than adults when it comes to disaster-related trauma, nonetheless, they do recommend the following steps to help everyone in your family cope:
- let your kids know people are there to help
- limit exposure to television coverage about the disaster, but encourage kids to keep in touch with friends through social media
- maintain regular routines as much as possible
- eat regularly, exercise, and try to get a good night’s rest
- encourage taking part in hobbies you normally participate in such as sports
- listening to music, breathing exercises, and meditation are excellent ways to relax
- take the time to talk about the situation including what you’re feeling, by asking questions, and what the general plan is for moving forward
- remember that it’s okay to have both good and bad days after experiencing a disaster firsthand
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, there’s no shame in reaching out for extra help. Following a natural disaster, outreach programs and crisis counselors are generally available to offer assistance. Contact the American Red Cross to find out more information about your local area.
Document & Inventory the Damages
To help the insurance claim process go as quickly and smoothly as possible, you’ll need to document all damages to your home in as much detail as you can. This includes taking photos and videos of your home and the surrounding neighborhood to clearly show any damage that’s occurred. But before a natural disaster happens, it’s important to create a comprehensive home inventory list itemizing your home’s contents including photos and receipts. You can then upload your photos and documents into our secure DomiDocs Homeowner Enablement Platform®, and then simply share them with your insurance company right from your profile which saves you precious time and money, especially during a disaster scenario.
Make Necessary Emergency Repairs
If temporary repairs to your home are required before an insurance adjuster visits, be sure to video/photograph the area before and after your emergency repairs, as well as to keep all receipts. You’ll need to minimize any further damage by:
- boarding up any broken doors
- covering openings with tarps
- covering up broken windows by using plastic
- stopping water or gas leaks
The Insurance Information Institute warns against making any further permanent repairs to your home until it’s been assessed by the adjuster as the cost of both temporary and permanent repairs will be factored into your claim. If you inadvertently pay a contractor a large amount of money for a temporary repair, that may mean less money when it comes to a more necessary permanent fix. If you’re not able to conduct the temporary repairs yourself, consult our DomiDocs® list of trusted nationwide contractors.
Ensure You Have Adequate Insurance Coverage For the Future
It’s unfortunate to note that some homeowners may falsely believe their homeowner’s insurance policy will cover them in the case of a hurricane or other natural disaster. Most of the time, a homeowner policy doesn’t cover flood or wind damage, however, additional policies can be purchased for future coverage. If your insurance didn’t fully cover you after a disaster, consider contacting your mortgage lender to see if you can get a temporary reprise to delay payments so you’ll have extra cash to take care of home repairs. You may also qualify for disaster relief by registering with FEMA.
Documenting for Disaster: How DomiDocs® Can Help You Navigate Through a Disaster
The key to weathering any natural disaster is preparation—knowledge and organization are your best tools. As a homeowner, taking proactive steps to protect your family and property before disaster strikes is essential. The secure, award-winning DomiDocs Homeowner Enablement Platform® helps you stay prepared by allowing you to:
- Create a detailed home inventory – Upload receipts, photos, and videos documenting your home’s condition and contents to ensure an accurate record for insurance purposes.
- Store and manage essential insurance documents – Use the Insurance Bundle feature to securely organize policies, including company details, coverage, cost, and policy start and end dates. A calendar timeline provides quick reference, and with one click, you can share documents with your insurance agent when filing a claim.
- Prepare for and recover quickly from any disasters – Ensure quick and easy access to critical homeownership and insurance documents before and after a natural disaster. Use the Disaster Bundle to safely store everything from insurance policies and mortgage information to your home inventory list, photos & videos and emergency vendors—allowing you to recover faster when you need it most.
- Stay ready for emergencies – Keep all your most important documents—such as IDs, medical records, financial statements, and emergency contacts—securely stored and instantly accessible. The Digital Go Bundle ensures you have everything you need in one place, whether you’re evacuating or managing post-disaster recovery.
- Follow expert homeowner guidance – Access the comprehensive DomiDocs® New Homeowner Guide, which offers best practices to help prevent insurance claims and keep your home in top condition.
By leveraging these tools, you’ll have the critical information you need at your fingertips, making it easier to recover and rebuild after a disaster.
Navigating Insurance Claims: What Every Homeowner Should Know
When you’re facing the aftermath of a natural disaster, working with your insurance company is an inevitable part of the recovery process. DomiDocs® CEO and Founder, William McKenna advises homeowners to carefully review their insurance company’s initial settlement offer, as it may not fully cover all damages. Many experts recommend assessing the offer to ensure it aligns with your policy coverage.
What should you do? Access your personal profile on the DomiDocs Homeowner Enablement Platform® to easily submit your documented receipts, photos, and videos to your insurance adjuster with just one click. Before accepting a settlement, take the time to consider all potential losses, including missed wages, medical expenses (both current and future), vehicle repairs, and any other damages. Being thorough can help ensure you receive the full coverage you’re entitled to under your policy.
DomiDocs® has your back! Whether it’s a hurricane, tornado, flood, or fire, the DomiDocs Resouce Page: How To File An Insurance Claim is here to guide you through the claims and recovery process.
Take Control of Your Homeownership Journey with DomiDocs®
Managing your home shouldn’t be stressful. DomiDocs® empowers homeowners with innovative technology, expert guidance, and unparalleled organization—all within a secure, cloud-based platform. From protecting your property and finances to streamlining essential tasks, our tools help you save time, reduce expenses, mitigate costly risks, and maximize your home’s value.
Explore the DomiDocs® suite of solutions:
- Homeowner Enablement Platform® – A centralized, digital hub for organizing documents, tracking home value, and managing property details effortlessly.
- HomeLock™ – Protects your home from fraud and title theft with 24/7 monitoring and instant alerts.
- TrueValueIndex® – Provides real-time insights into your home’s value to help you make informed financial decisions.
- propRtax® – Identifies potential property tax savings and ensures you’re not overpaying.
- Documenting for Disaster® – Securely stores critical homeownership documents, ensuring quick access before and after a disaster.
Join the home management revolution today and experience the confidence that comes with having everything you need in one place.