thehartford.com

The Hartford is here for you to help you identify the next steps in recovering your losses.  Once you report your loss, our professionals are trained to guide you through the entire process.  The Hartford will leverage its network of resources to restore your life to normal.

General Actions to Take

• Contact The Hartford to report your loss as soon as possible. (Toll-Free: 1-800-243-5860)
• Stay tuned to local radio for help and rescue information.
• Don't go out sight seeing, stay home, clean up and help others.
• Help injured or trapped persons.
• Give first aid where appropriate.
• Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.
• Return home ONLY after authorities advise that it is safe to do so.
• Stay away from and avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company, police, or fire department. Telephone or cable television wires that are touching a power line can become energized and should also be avoided.
• Stay clear of areas where there is a lot of debris or downed trees because there could be live power lines concealed in the debris.
• Stay clear of chain link or other metallic fences which may be energized if touching a downed line.
• Enter your home carefully and with caution.
• Beware of snakes, insects, and animals, large and small, driven to higher ground by the flood waters.
• Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home.
• Check both refrigerated foods and frozen foods for spoilage.
• Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its contents and for insurance claims.
• Avoid roads with standing water and all flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
• Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
• Be aware of available Federal Assistance that may be available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  To apply for Assistance for Individuals and Households, all you have to do is call the special toll-free telephone number, 1-800-621-FEMA (TTY: 1-800-462-7585) and register. Visit their site @ http://www.fema.gov
• Individuals can call Florida's Volunteer Hotline at 1-800-FL-HELP-1 or the Red Cross at 1-800-HELP-NOW.
• Construction/Contractors – For information on supporting recovery and rebuilding efforts in Florida - Disaster Contractors Network

Source: Various Emergency Management Agencies

Returning to your property:

• Be careful driving home - Return home ONLY after local authorities advise that it is safe to do so.
• Use caution returning home - Enter your home carefully and with caution. Beware of snakes, insects, and other animals, both large and small, driven to higher ground by the flood waters.
• Avoid electrical shock - Never touch wires of any kind or objects in contact with them as they may be live. You can't tell if a wire is live or not by looking at it. Telephone or cable television wires that are touching a power line can become energized and should also be avoided.
• Watch for falling objects - Weakened tree limbs or structural debris may collapse and cause serious injury.
• Check for gas leaks - If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
• Look for electrical system damage - If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.
• Check for sewage and water lines damage - If you suspect sewage lines are damaged avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid the water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.

Source: FEMA and Various Emergency Management Agencies 

Auto

• Do not start your vehicle if its engine was impacted by flooding.
• Have your vehicle title and registration handy to refer to with your agent or claim professional.
• Begin efforts to remove any water and to begin the drying process.
• Any openings should be covered to prevent further damage, such as windows, etc.
• If necessary, have your vehicle towed or temporary repairs made; however save all receipt and provide The Hartford claim representative with the towing company or repair shop’s name, phone and location.

Homeowners

• Create a list of contents that have been damaged (include quantity, description, and age).
• Take photos of those damaged items.
• Keep accurate, detailed lists of estimates, receipts for any necessary repairs, living expenses and your time and effort to protect your property from further damage.
• Do not dispose any damaged contents until authorized by your agent or claim professional.
• Obtain replacement costs / estimates from local merchants of like type, quality and features of loss item.
• Obtain statements from repair shops on those items that cannot be repaired
• Have estimates signed by the shop and approved by a Hartford adjuster or your Hartford agent before having major damage repaired.
• Protect your home from further damage by covering exposed roof, windows or walls using plastic or boarding.
• Use a wet vac to remove water.
• If you are experiencing a power outage, be sure to unplug any small electrical items, such as TV, VCR, telephone answering machines, etc. to avoid electrical spike damage.
• Do not cook on a gas or charcoal grill inside your home.

Security

After a significant hurricane, your personal or business property may have security vulnerabilities.  Here are a few tips to consider:

• Report the claim as soon as possible to obtain guidance on loss mitigation activity.
• Take reasonable steps to safeguard the property in relation to the extent of damage.  If possible, board up the exposed areas or place security barriers in the most effective manner.
• In conjunction with the insurance adjuster, determine if business property could or should be removed to a more secure site.  For the more severe exposures, this may involve utilization of a salvor.  Or, it could involve relocation of property to a storage area or secured trailer.
• Based upon loss circumstances and coverage provided, there are situations where private security personnel are utilized.