Here are some recommendations you should follow in case you suffered damage or loss from a hurricane.

If you or your property suffered loss or damage from a hurricane, you will need to provide basic information to your insurance company to file a claim.

The priority, in case of emergency, is that you are safe and that you protect the affected property to the extent that you can. 

• You should not dispose of the affected property until you are visited by an insurance company representative. The only exception is perishable items that may pose a health hazard, in which case you should take photos of them.
• It is recommended that you have a copy of your insurance policy in advance and that you know the coverage it offers, including the insured limit and the deductible that applies in case of a hurricane. Your insurance broker can help, but it’s important to be aware of the coverage in your insurance program.

What information do you need to file a claim?

• Insurer – Name of the insured, contact information and policy number
• Property – Affected property information, including mortgage (if applicable)

• Incident – Date of the incident, detailed description of the event that caused the damage and the specific description of the damage 
• Evidence – Photos of property and damage

After the claim is filed, the insurance company will confirm the receipt and assign a damage assessor, who will contact you to review the damages. At this stage of the process, the insurance company may ask you for more supporting information such as inventory of the affected property, invoices or contracts for the items in that inventory, and repair or replacement quotes for the affected property. 

If your business has commercial coverage with business interruption insurance, you should also have on hand the details of extraordinary expenses, which include:

• Invoices
• Bank information
• Financial statements, and/or records of expenses incurred after the incident. 

Once the claim adjustment is complete, your insurance company will send you a determination that may include an offer of payment or a claim denial with the necessary documentation to support that position. It is important to know that the Puerto Rico Insurance Code Article 27.162.26 LPRA 2716 (b) provides a term of 90 days after the loss has been notified for the resolution of the claim. 

This guide to insurance claims after a hurricane is for informational purposes only. Each case is different and may require additional information. If you or your business suffered damage from a hurricane or have questions about your insurance program coverage, contact your Insurance Agent or Broker for guidance and start the claim process. 

If your insurance program is through Fulcro Insurance, you can access the ProAccess app, write to fulcro@fulcroinsurance.com, or call 787-725-5880 to get help and begin to file your claim.