Disaster Preparedness

In The Event You Are a Victim of a Weather-Related Disaster, Here Are Some Insurance Tips For Homeowners Affected by Severe Weather:

• If you suffer property loss in your home or vehicle, contact your agent or insurance company as soon as possible to arrange a visit from an adjuster.
• Before doing any repairs to your house, photograph and make a list of the damage. Photograph or video the damaged area. Pull out any inventory lists you keep of your home’s contents.
• Protect your home from further damage by making temporary repairs until your insurance company is able to advise you. Save any receipts for materials purchased for repairs. Do not throw away damaged property until the claims adjuster advises you to do so.
• Do not have permanent repairs made until your insurance company has inspected the property and you have reached an agreement on the cost of repairs. If you do make permanent repairs before the adjuster has seen the damage, your claim could be denied.
• Most damage resulting from windstorms and fallen trees is covered by your homeowner’s policy. Check with your agent or company before calling the tree removal service as removal costs may also be covered. Also, you may find yourself responsible if one of your trees has fallen on a neighbor’s property. Again, check with your agent or company.
• Your policy may also cover your accommodations if you cannot return to your house. There may be an allowance for offsite housing until your home is repaired. Keep all your bills and payments made for offsite housing.
• If your claim is denied, review the terms of your policy for what is or is not covered. You may also file an appeal to your insurance company’s claim manager. If questions remain, feel free to contact the Insurance Department.
• Be Careful – there are a lot of good people and repair firms out there who want to help you and can. But there are others who may take advantage when you are most in need. Guard yourself against home repair con artists. Make sure you are working with a credible firm. Investigate the performance of any firm you are thinking of hiring. Consult the Better Business Bureau. Examine your options, get more than one estimate for your loss, ask for and check references, and, most importantly, get everything in writing.

It’s Important to Remember That Flooding Generally is Not Covered in a Homeowner’s Policy. Here Are Some Tips to Consider:

• If you are moving into a new home, apartment or business location, make sure you have adequate insurance coverage. Your bank, local officials or insurance representative can inform you if your location is at risk of flooding.
• Flood insurance is excluded under homeowners and renters policies, but it is covered under the comprehensive section of standard automobile insurance policies and some coverage is available for floods under special commercial insurance policies.
• Flood insurance for homeowners, renters and businesses is administered through the federal government and can be purchased from an insurance agent or company under contract with the Federal Insurance Administration (FIA), part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Flood insurance is only available where the local government has adopted adequate flood plain management regulations under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Most communities participate in the program.
• Flood insurance covers direct physical losses from floods and losses resulting from flood-related erosion caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels and accompanied by a severe storm, flash flood, abnormal tide surge, or a similar situation that results in flooding. Flood insurance also may cover mudslides.
• Coverage for the structure and contents of the home are sold separately. Buildings are covered for replacement costs, but content coverage is available on an actual cash-value basis only.
• Maintain a supply of emergency materials: plywood, plastic sheeting, nails, hammers, shovels, sandbags, flashlights, batteries, battery-operated radio, first aid kit, medication, sturdy shoes, emergency food and water, cash and credit cards.
• Install a system to prevent floodwater from backing up in sewer drains.
• Locate switches to turn off gas, electricity, and water.
• Make an inventory of your possessions and store it off the premises. If your personal belongings are damaged, this list will help facilitate the claim filing process.