Storm Damage FAQs

If you have—or suspect that you have—property damage to your home, business, or automobiles, notify your insurance agent as soon as possible with whatever details you can provide. In most cases, your agent will have a toll-free phone number for you to contact your insurance company directly. Make sure the adjuster understands that this call serves as notice of your claim. A follow-up email confirming such notice is also in order. Keep a written log of whom you talked to, their title, the date, action items, and the gist of the discussion. This log is important if you later face problems or delays and need to substantiate your side of the story.

Tornado and wind losses are covered under the homeowners and dwelling policies. And your renters policy covers tornado losses to your personal property. Your personal auto policy or business auto policy provides protection as long as you have purchased other-than-collision or comprehensive coverage for the vehicle. Check your declarations page or call your agent to determine if you have this coverage, which is typically subject to a deductible.

The United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency, in its "National Disasters and Crop Insurance" fact sheet (September 2017), offers the following guidance for post-disaster actions to take.

• Contact your crop insurance agent and follow up in writing (keep a copy for your records). Your crop insurance company will arrange for a loss adjuster to inspect your crop. It is your responsibility to contact your crop insurance agent and initiate this process.
• Any time you have crop damage that will adversely affect your yield or crop value, you may be eligible to file a claim. Contact your agent within 72 hours after discovery of damage. The loss adjuster will determine whether your yield or revenue falls below the guarantee stated in your policy.
• If you are still within the window of opportunity to replant your crop or switch to another crop, or if you want to destroy the crop for any reason (such as planting a cover crop), contact your crop insurance agent and let them know your intentions immediately. Your crop insurance company must have an opportunity to inspect the crop and release the acres. Destroying your crop before the company releases the acres could result in your claim being denied.
• If, later in the growing season, your crop is destroyed by a hurricane, for example, or if a severe drought has damaged your crop but you intend to take the crop to harvest, you still need to contact your agent within 72 hours of damage. You must continue to care for the crop until harvest or until your company appraises the crop and releases the acreage.

If you have a tornado or windstorm loss, the standard homeowners policy provides additional living expenses, which are often 20–30 percent of your dwelling limit. So, keep track of your additional expenses, such as hotel rooms and restaurant charges.

First, make sure you are providing all of the information and documents your insurance company requests in a timely manner. Also, keep a well-documented log of the entire claims filing process. Items to remember in the log are the (a) measures you have taken to assist your insurance company, (b) information you provide, (c) adjuster names and titles with whom you are interacting, and (d) dates of discussions. If you have problems or unreasonable delays, ask to speak to a supervisor or manager. Another option to consider, prior to hiring an attorney, is contacting the appropriate state department of insurance to file a formal complaint (this is free and often helpful).

Consider the following tips for home owners or small-business owners when hiring contractors. 

• Be wary of contractors who solicit business door-to-door or via cold calls. In addition, contractors should be avoided if they quote a price that will automatically go up the next day or week if the property owner does not accept it immediately.
  
  
• Request recommendations from friends, family members, and business associates for reputable contractors who have performed excellent work for them.
  
  
• Ask the contractor for a written estimate that includes any oral agreements he or she makes in this process. The estimate should contain a line-by-line breakdown of costs, including materials and labor. In addition, there should not be a charge for an estimate. Avoid dealing with contractors who attempt to charge for estimates.
  
  
• Obtain at least three estimates along with the names and phone numbers of two former customers of the contractor. The property owner should contact these customers and ask about the work performed.
  
  
• Verify that the contractor is licensed, bonded, and properly insured. Obtain certificates of insurance for workers compensation and general liability policies from the contractor.
  
  
• Contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if complaints have been filed against the contractor. This step can be performed via the BBB's website.
  
  
• Avoid contractors who ask for payment for the entire job before the work begins. The standard practice is to pay 33 percent of the job up front.
  
  
• For major work, get an experienced attorney to review the construction contract.