You wouldn’t think that storm damage would be an issue this late in the year, but four tornadoes recently passed through the Twin Cities. Unfortunately, one of the side effects of storm damage is the potential stress and trauma of dealing with a home owner’s insurance company.
The first steps involve restoring power and/or water, if there has been an outage. The next is to handle any emergency repairs. The temptation is to jump right in and get things taken care of as soon as possible, especially if damage occurs at a time of year when severe weather or cold temperatures are common. But this is not a time to take hasty or rash actions, because there could be negative ramifications.
Of course, you would want to take preventative measures such as tarping an open roof, but the first you need to determine whether your policy covers your damage. You might assume it does, but that’s not always true. Storm damage usually consists of problems from water and wind, which most policies treat separately. A tree falling in a windstorm which makes a hole in your roof would probably covered. Water damage occur when heavy rains cause a flood in your basement or frozen pipes burst. These items might or might not be covered; you’ll have to read your policy to find out. In most cases, unless you have a flood rider, it probably is not covered. An exception is flooding subsequent to wind damage. For example, if a heavy wind blows a window out and you get wind-driven rain damage inside your home, it would be covered.
A good rule of thumb is if the damage is a result of something that came down from above on your home, it’s covered; if it came up from the ground, it’s probably not. Complications arise when it is a combination of the two; your insurance company will most likely determine which caused what. If you have questions about your coverage, your agent should be able to help you.
In addition to damage, the storm might possibly have made your house unlivable until repairs are made. Most insurance policies will cover living expenses IF it is a result of covered damage. Some policies may specify a “per diem” amount; others may vaguely refer to “reasonable and necessary” expenses, which include such things housing, meals, and transportation. Again, check your policy.
One final point, and that is regarding insurance adjusters. Your insurance company has adjusters on its payroll; when you file a storm damage claim, a company adjuster will be assigned to your case. This is the person that makes the dollar amount decision on your claim. But you aren’t obligated to accept the opinion of your insurance company’s adjuster; you have the right to hire an independent adjuster to protect your interests. This person will deal with the insurance company for you, but for a price – usually a set percentage of what is recovered.
Storms happen in Minnesota in every season, and storm damage often results. Iron River Construction specializes in storm damage repair, so if we may assist you following severe weather, please call us.
