How to Handle Insurance Claims for Storm Damage

Minnesota summers are some of the best days of the year – but sometimes, we see a turn of events. Destructive storms can rip through our part of the state a couple of times every year. If you’ve ever experienced storm damage to your home, property, or belongings, you know exactly what I’m talking about. 

Here are the steps you can take to make your insurance claim a bit easier when it comes to storm-related damages.

Perhaps when you hear the term “storm chasers” you think of the actors Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton, rushing toward tornados attempting to launch “Dorothy.” But the plot of “Twister” aside, there really are people known as storm chasers, and they are not nearly as entertaining.

When I refer to storm chasers , I mean some rather shady folks that stalk those with storm damage, following the bad weather all over the country. When they see a potential weather pattern that can cause home or car damage, they flock to this space in order to swoop in and offer “care.”

If a stranger knocks on your door, offering to help you with your insurance claim, they know you’re in a vulnerable state. They know it is a high-stress situation. And they jump in to try to get you to sign an insurance claim on the spot. 

Beyond their less-than-ethical business practices, there are plenty of reasons not to trust such transient salespersons. Obtaining coverage in this way puts you at risk. Some concerns include:

1. How will you reach this person after a claim is filed?
2. Does this person know about your home or product warranties? Will they tell you if they do?
3. How will you track down this person to ask questions?
4. Why do they use such high-pressure sales tactics during such a scary time?

Once you’ve experienced storm damage, the first thing to do is call your insurance agent. This is a time when you’ll be quite happy to have a single insurance agent, providing coverage for all of your policies! Here are the four steps you need to take after you realize you’ve experienced storm damage:

1. Call your insurance agent

Your local agent is a friendly face you are familiar with, who knows not only you and what you own, but your family. It’s someone you can trust and rely on at all times, but especially in a crisis. Call them!

When you call my office, we’ll pull up your policy details and help you determine what is and is not covered by your policy. From going to a hotel during repairs to estimating the costs of your repairs, your agent and level of coverage is going to make all the difference at this time.

Your insurance agent will help you with this step, too. Sometimes this means having a mechanic look at the car, or a carpenter checking your roof. But, one way or another, the insurance company will need to see and assess the damages, and come up with an estimated cost for repairs.

No matter the stage, and no matter your coverage, I highly suggest documenting your entire process. From the moment the damage occurs, photos, details, receipts, phone calls, emails … everything should be documented. The more details you can provide, the easier the process will be!

This is where the insurance you select, the agency you purchase from, and the coverage you opt for truly matters. It is also where a hometown agent can go a long way in de-escalating the trauma. It is a time when you want that friendly face with a personal touch, helping you navigate the stages of filing a claim.

Don’t be left to the abyss, finding solutions all on your own. Make an appointment today. Visit https://www.rehmins.com/contact-us/ to get a quote!