Hurricane Irma Damage In Georgia Topped $330 Million

ATLANTA, GA — Damage in Georgia from Hurricane Irma has topped $330 million, with that number expected to rise as more claims related to the deadly storm roll in.

That figure was released by state Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens. As of Thursday, 56,491 Irma-related claims had been filed with various insurance companies, Hudgens said.

The majority of the reported damage was related to homeowner's insurance, according to Hudgens.

"Our preliminary estimate today is $336 million in damage across Georgia," Hudgens said in a news release. "That figure may rise as new claims are submitted."

Georgians from one end of the state to the other suffered damage from Irma, which hit Florida as a Category 4 hurricane then rolled into Georgia as a tropical storm on Sept. 11. Communities along Georgia's coast were flooded and areas of central and north Georgia, including metro Atlanta, saw damage from wind, heavy rain, downed trees and flying debris. (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

At one point, nearly 1.5 million Georgians were without power due to the storm.

Four deaths in Georgia were connected to the storm — two of them directly and two caused when a mother and child who had evacuated here from Florida were involved in a traffic crash.

Hudgens said that, of the storm-related claims that have been filed, policyholders have received about $77.4 million in settlement payments. His office offered the following tips for people who need to make insurance claims on storm damage:

• Work with your insurance company. Ask what documents, forms, and data you will need to file a claim. Keep a diary of all conversations with insurance companies, creditors or relief agencies.
• Maintain any damaged personal property for the adjuster to inspect.
• Ask the adjuster for an itemized explanation of the claim settlement offer.
• Be wary of contractors who demand upfront payment before work is initiated or payment in full before work is completed. If the contractor needs payment to buy supplies, go with the contractor and pay the supplier directly.
• Get more than one bid. Ask for at least three references. Check with the Better Business Bureau about the contractor. Ask for proof of necessary licenses, building permits, insurance, and bonding. Record the license plate number and driver’s license number of the contractor.
• If there is a disagreement about a claim, ask the company for the specific language in the policy in question and determine why you and the company interpret your policy differently.
• If the first offer made by an insurance company does not meet your expectations, be prepared to negotiate to get a fair settlement.

Anyone who believes they have been treated unfairly in getting a claim paid, may contact the Insurance Commissioner's office at 1-800-656-2298. Phone lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.