How To Deal With Weather Related Property Damage
In the wake of the ice storm on Friday December 12, 2008, the Maine Bureau of Insurance has outlined the proper steps to take when filing for weather reported property damage.
Mainers are advised to follow these procedures when safe to do so, and to contact the Bureau with any questions before or while in the process of reporting the damage:
1. Contact your insurance agent immediately to report your loss.
2. Take notes when speaking with your insurance company, including names of people you talk to and summaries of all conversations. Be sure to ask questions if you don’t understand something.
3. Take photos, or if possible, videotape all damage.
4. Determine what is damaged and to what extent, and organize it accordingly for when your insurance adjuster comes to look at it.
5. Save receipts from any temporary repairs you make.
6. Never throw away damaged property until your adjuster says it’s appropriate to do so.
7. If your home is damaged, make only temporary repairs until the damage is examined. Making permanent repairs before an adjuster's inspection could lead to the denial of your claim.
8. If your home is uninhabitable during repair, ask your adjuster if you have coverage for additional living expenses incurred while repairs are being made. If so, be sure to save all receipts to document these costs.
The Maine Bureau of Insurance advises Mainers to check with their insurance company to see exactly what their plan covers. Events typically covered under most standard homeowners policies include: Damage caused by wind, wind-driven rain, trees or other falling objects, and the collapse of a structure caused by weight of ice or snow.
Events not generally covered under standard homeowners policies include: Frozen pipes due to negligence, food spoilage due to a power outage, water damage from backed-up drains or sewers, removal of fallen trees if they do not land on and damage your home, and interior water damage from a storm when there is no damage to the roof or walls. In some cases endorsements can be purchased to help cover certain stipulations not included in standard policies. For more information about this additional protection contact your insurance adjuster.
The Bureau also urges Mainers to prepare for future storms and natural disasters. In addition to reviewing your insurance coverage to make sure it is adequate, take inventory of personal property, including all model names and serial numbers, and store the information off premises, such as in a bank safe deposit box. The Bureau also recommends learning the facts about flood insurance. Doing so will help ensure that your belongings will be properly compensated if damaged by any unforeseen natural disasters.
For more information on how to deal with weather related property damage, or additional information to help prepare your home and belongings for future storms, please contact the Maine Bureau of Insurance at 1-800-300-5000, or online at: www.maine.gov/insurance.
