Experts suggest following key steps to successfully file a homeowners insurance claim after a natural disaster.

• Understanding the process of filing a homeowners insurance claim after a natural disaster is essential.
• Over $6 billion in insured losses have been estimated for Hurricane Helene.
• On Tuesday, Hurricane Milton slightly weakened, but experts predict it could still be a "once-in-a-century" storm with the potential to cause record-breaking damage when it hits Florida's west coast on Wednesday.
• Here are three steps to take to file an insurance claim.

Understanding the process of filing a homeowners insurance claim after a natural disaster is essential.

The estimated insured losses for Hurricane Helene have surpassed $6 billion.

It is predicted that Hurricane Milton could be a rare storm with the potential to cause unprecedented damage when it hits Florida's west coast on Wednesday.

Experts advise that promptly reporting a claim after being out of danger is crucial for the insurance company to initiate the process and for you to start rebuilding.

Shannon Martin, a licensed insurance agent and analyst for Bankrate.com, stated that your adjuster is assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.

A "man-made disaster" could complicate the process of purchasing or selling a home.

The processing arm of your insurance company will receive a "huge volume of paperwork and claims," according to Jeremy Porter, head of climate implications research at First Street Foundation, an organization that focuses on climate risk financial modeling in New York City.

Porter stated that waiting longer to have a claim approved will not only delay its arrival but also increase the time it spends in the processing pipeline.

Experts suggest following these three crucial steps to promptly submit an insurance claim following a disaster.

1. Call your insurer as soon as you can

It is advised to bring along copies of your insurance policies and contact information in a disaster preparedness kit when evacuating, and to securely store it.

After a disaster occurs, promptly contact your insurance company to report damage to your home and initiate the claims process, advised Porter.

You can start the claim from anywhere, but eventually, you'll need to schedule with the insurance company to review and inspect the damage.

To wait out the storm in your house, you must first prevent any additional damage before contacting Bankrate.com's Martin.

She stated that a typical home insurance policy includes language requiring homeowners to minimize damage and prevent it from worsening.

"Then you can call the insurance company, take pictures of the damage and relocate items to safer locations," Martin advised.

2. Make a log of damages

Porter advised that during a call with the insurance company, it's important to provide initial details about any damage, such as if the roof blew off or several windows broke.

He stated that they would not evaluate until they examined the damage on-site.

It's crucial to document your damages, such as taking pictures, before the insurer conducts its own inspection, according to Porter.

He said that he would do it.

3. Keep a record of receipts

Daniel Schwarcz, an insurance law professor at the University of Minnesota Law School, stated that in the event of a loss, you must promptly notify your insurer and take steps to safeguard the property.

Schwarcz advised that it is necessary to repair the property after the storm, document the expenses, and prevent any further damage.

Schwarcz stated that the receipts for materials used to prevent further damage on a property already damaged by a covered peril, such as wind and trees, should be kept on file. However, if flooding occurs, reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred will depend on whether or not a flood insurance policy is in place.

If you fail to act after a storm and this leads to additional damage, the insurer will not be liable for the loss, he stated.

Before natural disasters, materials bought to safeguard homes, such as plywood for window protection, are frequently not insured.

Experts advise keeping a record of receipts when working with contractors to rebuild after damage.

Differentiating damage from back-to-back disasters

Porter stated that documenting the damage immediately with your insurer increases the likelihood of the event being covered by your home insurance because it can be attached to the event itself.

Porter emphasized that the immediate filing of the claim is the utmost priority.

To avoid future issues, it's crucial to trace the source of the damage and gather proof, he emphasized.

If someone's home was damaged by Hurricane Debbie or Helene but they haven't filed a claim before Milton lands and causes flood damage, Port offers a hypothetical scenario.

Porter stated that suddenly, there may be a dispute between the National Flood Insurance Program and your home insurance company regarding the cause of the damage to the property.

If you want to file a claim, you must do so within three to five days of the incident, according to Martin. If you have already submitted all necessary information for the first incident, you can demonstrate that any subsequent incidents occurred as a result of a second event, said the adjuster.