Importance of Documenting Property to Facilitate Future Insurance Claims

Posted On: June 25, 2024

Volusia County residents and businesses are urged to take photographs of their property now to facilitate insurance claims and recovery efforts in the event of future storm damage. Documenting both the exterior and interior of properties is crucial.

To ensure claims are processed smoothly, taking time-stamped photos of all valuable items is essential. This includes interior possessions such as electronics, jewelry, appliances, and furniture. Once images are taken, they should be uploaded to cloud storage or emailed to the owner's account for safekeeping. Storing photos on a device's hard drive, including phones, risks losing them if the device is lost or damaged.

"A lot of people take preventive measures, like placing sandbags on their property, but they don't want to think about their home and possessions actually being damaged," said Emergency Management Director Clint Mecham. "Having insurance, including flood insurance, is crucial for rebuilding after a storm; however, you'll need to prove to your insurance company what you lost."

Although the Emergency Management Division recently concluded its sixth and final hurricane preparedness town hall, staff members remain available to speak to organizations and neighborhoods about hurricane readiness. For more information on hurricane preparedness or to request a presentation, contact the Emergency Management Division at 386-254-1500 or visit www.volusia.org/emergency.