Weathering the Storm By Michelle Desnoyer, Trinity Exteriors, Inc.
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evere weather can strike at any time, and there’s no predicting it. The good news is, you don’t have to be caught off-guard or go through a panicked race to get your insurance company to help repair any damage.
a laborious claims experience. Before your claim is filed, contact a trusted contractor (your agent may have a preferred vendor list, or you may have a professional referred to you by someone you trust) to get a good inspection and assessment of your property’s damage.
The absolute priority for weather emergencies such as hail storms, ice damming, and lightning strikes is to go over your insurance policy and be crystal clear on your coverage. Did you try to save a few bucks a month by cutting corners on coverage that seemed inconsequential when the sun was shining? Walk through the policy with your agent prior to any emergencies to make sure you fully understand the extent of your coverage, and how it applies to common weather emergencies that happen in our area: hail storms, blizzards, lightning strikes, fallen tree branches, ice dams, flooding, etc.
Once your property is inspected and the contractor has found damage, then begin your claims process and schedule an appointment with an insurance adjuster. You must be present for this adjustment, and it’s a good idea to have your contractor there as well; after a big storm, insurance adjusters work hard, long days and may miss some details about your damage. A contractor can be there to save them time and hassle by pointing out damaged areas directly.
Then, take precautions for emergency situations before they hit. Make sure large tree branches are trimmed so they’re less likely to crash down on your property during a storm. If you have a history of icicles, get your attic evaluated for proper ventilation to prevent ice dams that rip off your shingles and gutters. For lightning strikes…well, there’s not much you prep for there. Just make sure you have great coverage. Once the storm hits, always call your agent before calling the 800 claims number. If there is no obvious damage, this can help avoid
It’s also smart to have your insurance policy paperwork on hand when the adjuster is present, so any misunderstandings can be cleared up immediately by working through the policy. Keep any and all paperwork you receive during the inspection and adjustment for your records. After the damage adjustment appointment, remember to follow up and follow through. Your insurance agent is your advocate, so keep an open line of communication with them, as well as your contractor and your adjuster. Repairs after an emergency will take time, but with preparation and patience, you can make it through with minimal worries.
January | February 2017
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