Storm Checklist

We had some very strong storms come pass through Wisconsin yesterday, so now might be a good time to evaluate your property and your policy to see if you need to take action.

First dig out your insurance policy:

-- Check your coverage

-- Make sure you've got claim-reporting phone numbers

-- Put your policy in a safe place

If you've planned ahead, you know your best friend might be a camera, according to insurance experts:

-- Inventory your household items in photos or video

-- Keep those photos in a safe place

If you wake up to storm damage, it’s time to take some pictures again.

Take pictures, take videos, show the insurance agency and the company what really happened to your property.  You've probably already protected your property by covering windows, putting your vehicles into a garage, securing the boats, but don’t forget to take grills and patio furniture indoors.

After the storm:

-- Cover holes in roofs or windows quickly so wind and rain doesn't cause more damage

-- Get two repair estimates

-- Keep all receipts

Report all damage to your insurance company or agent as soon as possible and remember, if your home is flooded, that’s a special situation. Unless you have special flood insurance, you may not be covered.

Most homeowners’ insurance policies and commercial insurance policies do not cover flood. That requires separate coverage under the national flood insurance program.  Again, talk to your insurance agent, talk to the company, get the facts, there may be something they can do for you.

Something else to note: your homeowners’ insurance policy may not cover damage to trees, but it may pay to remove the debris if it caused damage to a structure covered by insurance.

If you have any damage to your home or vehicle, give me a call today.  I can help you to determine if a claim is necessary and how to get it done quickly and correctly.