Superstorm Sandy is playing havoc in the lives of many home-owners. Till now, it has resulted into massive destruction of people and property and it is expected to cause further havoc. Once the superstorm gets over, people will have to face a hard time to negotiate with the insurers in order to get the cash for home repair. With time, the home-owners' insurance companies have become quite tough regarding insurance claims due to weather issues.
Here are few things which you should keep in mind in order to protect your insurance claims:
Check your insurance policy:
In order to know what your homeowner's insurance policy covers, you should immediately take a look at it when you are anticipating the superstorm hitting your area. You should note that many insurers have "anti-concurrent causation clauses" in policies now that say if you have damage from multiple causes, say wind and flooding, where wind is covered but flooding is not - they won't cover anything at all. New laws require the insurers to use federal data to allocate the costs in cases where a home is totally destroyed by flooding and wind damage. However, the silver lining is that if the water rises so high in your neighborhood that it floods your car, you're probably covered by your comprehensive auto policy.
Take pictures whenever and wherever possible:
In order to convince the insurer, you should try taking pics both before and after the storm. While you are waiting for the storm to hit, take your camera phone around your house and inventory all your assets. It will be better if you could video it. If you find your home damaged, then you should carefully document everything. Do let the water to dry. Take the pics of the aftermath when it is wet. When things dry out, they look quite different. Leave the damage as it is unless an insurance adjuster arrives on the scene.
Clear the basement and the fridge:
Though you have flood coverage, it actually covers very little. It should be noted here that you will be protected for structural damage and the cost of replacing basement utilities like electrical panels and heating units. But you won't be covered for the other precious items you have stored downstairs. If you're worried of a wet basement, it will be better to pull them up.
File the claims ASAP:
In order to get immediate attention from the insurer, you should submit your claims ASAP. This is because; there will be a large number of people in the line to claim insurance money. You should also note that federal flood insurance typically carries a 60-day deadline, though it often gets extended after extreme events. If you miss that deadline, your flood insurance will be worthless.
Carefully word your claim:
You should call your insurer immediately after you see the damage and let them know whether or not you need money to make immediate repairs. However, you shouldn't characterize the cause of the damage - the company could dredge up your remarks and use them to deny your claim.
Dry out your stuffs:
Apart from flooding, the main problem after the flood, is mould. You should hire an emergency services company to dry everything out and dehumidify the area. It should be noted here that insurance policies have limitations for mould.
Rent a room but maintain a tab:
If you move into a hotel or rent a house because your property is without power, you will be liable for paying the rent or charges. However, most insurers do cover hotel stays if your house is really uninhabitable. You may also be covered for meals and hotel stays if local or state authorities had a mandatory evacuation of your neighborhood. Federal flood insurance doesn't cover hotel bills.
Check out the rules and laws of your state:
The name of the storm, when it hits your house, will affect your coverage. It will also depend upon the state of your residence. So, you should know every detail regarding that storm in order to claim the coverage.