Document the Condition of Your Property Before the Storm

If you are a homeowner, business owner or homeowner/condominium association, now is the time to document the current condition of your property. This is very important in providing a clear “before and after” comparison of any potential damage from Tropical Storm Erika or a future hurricane.

Fortunately, there have been remarkable advancements in technology in the past few years that make it easier to assess the status of your residential, commercial, industrial or governmental property. For example, GlobalPro Recovery uses drones and sophisticated recording applications to document the exterior condition of homes, offices, shopping centers, warehouses, hotels, hospitals and other structures. This cost-effective approach allows our clients to get clear visual images from every angle without the time and expense of a manual inspection.

It’s also important to document interior conditions using photographs and videos to show the walls, windows, ceilings and floors. If a tree limb cracks a window in the living room or airborne debris smashes the front door, you will have visual proof that there was no pre-existing damage – a key factor when filing an insurance claim. You should also inventory your valuable personal possessions, including jewelry, artwork, antiques, vintage cars, etc. If you have a recent appraisal or sales receipt, photograph or scan those documents and keep everything in a secure location, such as a cloud-based storage service.

Be sure to pay close attention to Tropical Storm Erika as it draws closer to South Florida this weekend. A recent forecast from the National Hurricane Center has moved Erika’s track slightly to the east, but South Florida remains well “within the cone” of probability. That means your property may be at risk for damage from potentially hurricane-force winds. As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!”