AMERICAN INSURANCE ASSOCIATION OFFERS TIPS TO HOMEOWNERS FOLLOWING NORTHEAST ICE STORM
BOSTON (December 16, 2008) – As post-storm clean-up continues around the Northeast region, it is important that residents follow the recommendations of local authorities. “The insurance industry is committed to helping affected policyholders of the Northeast recover from the ice storm that recently battered the region,” said Brianne Mallaghan, AIA Northeast Region Director of Public Affairs.
The American Insurance Association (AIA) recommends that homeowners and businesses affected by the storm follow safety guidelines to ensure a safe and successful recovery. Some helpful tips are included below.
• Contact your insurer and report your loss. If you haven't already done so, call your insurance company and report that you have suffered a loss. Provide a general description of the damage and have your policy number handy if possible. If you have an agent, your agent will report the loss to your insurance company or to a qualified adjuster who will contact you as soon as possible to inspect the damage. Be sure to give your agent a telephone number where you can be reached. If you can't remember the name of your company and your agent isn't reachable, call your mortgage company - it will have a record of the company.
• Return claim forms. After your insurance company has been notified of your claim, it will send you the necessary claim forms within a certain number of days (time period varies by state). Fill out and return the forms as soon as possible. If you do not understand the process, be sure to ask questions and write down the explanation.
• Protect yourself. Always be careful when entering a damaged structure. If there is or even appears to be serious structural damage don’t take chances, contact local officials before entering the property. Report downed power lines or gas leaks. Keep electricity turned off if the building has been flooded.
• Protect your property. Take reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage. This could mean boarding up windows and salvaging undamaged items. Your insurance company can tell you what they will pay for regarding protection.
• Make an inventory list. Take inventory of any damage. It is best to photograph or videotape the damage to document your claim. Prepare a list of damaged or lost items for your adjuster and make two copies - one for yourself and one for the adjuster. Your list should be as complete as possible including a description of the items, dates of purchase or approximate age, cost at time of purchase and estimated replacement cost. Collect canceled checks, invoices, receipts or other papers that will assist the adjuster in obtaining the value of the destroyed property.
• Clean up & keep all receipts. When starting the cleanup process, be careful, and use protective eyewear, gloves or other gear if available. Cover broken windows, damaged roofs and walls to prevent further destruction. Save receipts for supplies and materials you purchase. Talk to your insurance company about temporary repairs; they will reimburse you for reasonable expenses related to repairs to your property damaged by a covered peril. Secure a detailed estimate for permanent repairs to your home from a reliable, licensed and bonded contractor, and give the estimate to the adjuster. The estimate should contain proposed repairs, repair costs and replacement prices.
• Build stronger next time. When you’re ready to think about rebuilding or repairing ask your contractor about adding features that would increase the building’s disaster-resistance.
For more information:
• American Red Cross: 800-733-2767 or www.redcross.org
• Information on shelters and special needs transportation: Dial 211
• Massachusetts
Division of Insurance: (617) 521-7794 or www.mass.gov/doi
Ice Storm Recovery Information: www.mass211.org.
• New Hampshire
Division of Insurance: 1-800-852-3416 or http://www.nh.gov/insurance/
1-888-330-6764
• New York
State Insurance Department Disaster Hotline: 1-800-339-1759