Where to Find Shelter

When a storm hits, the last place you want to be is outside. Even a car is not a reliable place to take refuge. It’s best to think through where to go beforehand—to have a plan. Basements, the bottom floor of a building, or under a stairwell are good places to wait out a storm.

The Elevation Level of Your Property

It’s a good idea to know your home’s elevation and prepare accordingly. FloodTools.com has some great tips for planning for a flood. And although you might not be able to prevent flood damage, you could take measures to avoid losing truly irreplaceable things.

Cramming at the Eleventh Hour

“If you believe you can accomplish everything by ‘cramming’ at the eleventh hour, by all means, don't lift a finger now. But you may think twice about beginning to build your ark once it has already started raining.” –Max Brooks, The Zombie Survival Guide

"An ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure."

- Benjamin Franklin

A failure to prepare...

“A failure to prepare is preparing to fail” - Benjamin Franklin

Be Prepared for Emergencies with a Home Inventory

Be Prepared for Emergencies with a Home Inventory

In the event of damage to a residence, the property owner has the burden of proving the existence of any contents which were damaged or destroyed, and the value of that loss. Thus, there is a need to have an accurate and complete inventory of the contents of one’s home.  It is usually far easier to prove the loss of a building and its value than it is to prove the loss of the contents of that building.  Having represented a great many homeowners  in  suits against insurance companies for property damage, I know that having an inventory of the contents, including  pictures or videos of the contents, is a very valuable thing to have should you ever have to attempt to recover damages from an insurance company for the loss of the contents of your home.

With hurricane season approaching, now is the time to take an up-to-date inventory of your household items for insurance claims later.  Such an inventory will help you substantiate damaged or missing household items in the event of an insurance claim dispute.  It will also give you peace of mind, knowing that you have an accurate list of household valuables available at your fingertips.

Compiling a home inventory is not as difficult as it sounds.  However, it should include a detailed account of your possessions, complete with accurate descriptions, photos, videos, estimated values, dates of purchase and receipts, if you have them.  Anything that can provide proof of ownership and condition prior to loss will be to your advantage when filing an insurance claim.  Insurance companies have a tendency to underestimate the value of a home’s possessions. So, it’s well worth the extra time and effort it takes to compile such a list.

Inventory Help Available

If you need help, many insurance companies provide free, printable inventory checklists available on their websites. Home inventory software programs are available, making it easier to catalogue your possessions and generating reports when you need them.  There are also web-based home inventory management services that let you store your home inventory online for 24/7 access. 

Keep a Copy Offsite

Whichever home inventory system you choose, it’s very important to keep a copy of the list offsite.  In a disaster, your home inventory list can be destroyed and you’ll lose pertinent information when you file an insurance claim.  Consider keeping a copy in your bank’s

safe-deposit box, sending a copy to a friend or relative, or keeping the information stored online.  However, make sure you have a hard copy available at all times to be updated periodically, especially when you purchase a new, expensive item, such as an HDTV or jewelry.  

For more information about insurance preparedness, contact the Law Office of Stuart R. Michelson, toll free, at 1-866-563-6100 or smichelson@smichelsonlaw.com.

Fort Lauderdale Attorney Fights in Court – Fights in the Ring!

When Stuart R. Michelson, owner of The Law Office of Stuart R. Michelson, Fort Lauderdale, FL, enters a courtroom, he fights to win for his clients, usually against big insurance companies.  However he also brings that same energy and passion to the boxing arena in amateur competitions.

“I’ve always enjoyed boxing,” said Michelson.  “It’s a competitive sport, similar to the trial practice, except that the lawyers are not allowed to actually hit each other. But both boxing and the trial practice involve the art of the feint and require extensive preparation and strategic planning. I look forward to the challenge of getting in the ring and winning, just like when I enter a courtroom.”

Michelson began boxing five years ago, training at several Fort Lauderdale boxing gyms and at the old 5^th Street Gym in Miami Beach..  He trained intensively with Guy Laieta, a licensed professional boxing trainer and certified USA Boxing amateur coach.  Laieta has trained numerous junior and open-class Golden Glove and Junior Olympic champions in South Florida, as well as professional fighters.   

“As long as I’m in good shape, I hope to continue boxing for a long time to come,” said Michelson.  “Age should not stop anyone from achieving their personal best, and I firmly believe this in my life as well as my law practice.”

Stuart R. Michelson is an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated Broward County attorney with more than 35 years experience representing individual, business and municipal clients throughout Florida in state and federal litigation, appeals and administrative matters.

For more information about the Law Office of Stuart R. Michelson, call, toll free, 1-866-563-6100, or visit www.smichelsonlaw.com.