Note to Evacuees: Remember to Document Repairs from the Last Storm

The Times-Picayune offers a helpful reminder to folks who may be taking a little unplanned trip this Labor Day weekend:

If Gustav prompts an evacuation, homeowners should bring receipts, contractor invoices and photographs documenting completed repairs at their houses to make sure they are eligible to collect insurance for any fresh damage that may occur.

Both private insurers and the National Flood Insurance don’t want to risk paying for damage twice, so they may require property owners to prove that they made repairs from hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Documenting where repair work stands is especially important because so many rebuilding efforts are still in progress.