ROCHESTER, N.Y. — As the Rochester region continues to clean up from damage caused by Saturday’s storms, News10NBC is tracking another round of strong to severe storms for Tuesday. See our latest forecast here.
News10NBC issued a Yellow Alert for locally heavy downpours, strong winds, thunder, a chance of flash flooding, and more. If you’re dealing with storm damage, you may need to file an insurance claim, but there are a couple of things to watch out for.
News10NBC’s Garrett Chan spoke with Amy Bach, the executive director of United Policyholders, a nonprofit that advocates for insurance consumers across all 50 states. Bach encourages consumers to know their insurance policy and their deductible.
Knowing when to file a claim
While many people’s first instinct is to call their insurance company right away, it’s important to first determine whether filing a claim makes financial sense. You can get an estimate from a trusted contractor to determine what it will cost to make repairs.
Then, compare your deductible to the estimated cost of repairs. Take photos and videos and save receipts for any emergency repairs you make to prevent further damage. If your claim is approved, those costs may be covered by your insurance company. You need to be proactive and keep good documentation.
“Take photos of the damage before, have a good paper trail. You told the insurer what the situation was. If they didn’t act promptly, that’s on them and hold them accountable,” Bach said. “You need to be proactive, and then you keep good documentation.”
Bach also warns homeowners to be cautious of contractors who show up immediately. Check references and do your research.
Lastly, don’t assume your insurance company’s first offer is its final offer. Just because your provider denies your claim doesn’t mean the case is completely closed.
What if your insurance provider denies your claim?
In some cases, a claim may get denied because the homeowner doesn’t fully understand what’s covered under the policy or doesn’t submit enough documentation. The Insurance Information Institute, which aims to improve the public’s understanding of insurance plans, advises everyone to go through their policy carefully.
In most cases, the front page will provide information on what’s covered, what’s not, and your deductibles. To resolve disputes over claim amounts, it’s important to have a home inventory so you can list items that are often missed, such as outdoor furniture and equipment.
Oftentimes, the only damages that face challenges are due to flooding. Loretta Worters, vice president of media relations at the Insurance Information Institute, explained the difference.
“A rising body of water is not covered under a standard policy. That’s why you need a separate flood insurance policy, which is available through the National Flood Insurance Program and through private insurers,” Worters said. “So read your documents carefully, make sure you know what it is, and call your insurance agent and find out what the reason might be if there was a denial. Maybe there’s something you need to do that would make the process go faster or make sure that claim is not denied.”
Is food covered if it spoils during a power outage?
One common insurance question is whether the cost of spoiled food is covered if a refrigerator loses power during an outage. Many policies do provide some coverage for refrigerated food, but it’s worth checking with your insurance on how much is actually covered.
How to file a complaint with an insurance company
When reaching out to your insurer starts to get a little hairy, and you feel you’re being treated unfairly, United Policyholders recommends building that paper trail. Send emails, letters, and make phone calls.
United Policyholders has resources to help you file a complaint against your insurance provider and to contact oversight agencies. You can also file a complaint with the state Department of Financial Services, which has a consumer hotline and complaint form.
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