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Need to File a Home Insurance Claim After a Tornado? Here’s What To Do
By Alison Tobin MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
The cluster of tornadoes that swept through the Kansas City metro area Wednesday caused at least some property damage, leaving homeowners with the headache of filing an insurance claim for property repairs or replacement.
The four tornadoes that struck Jackson, Johnson and Miami Counties in the early morning hours on Wednesday were relatively powerful, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). One of the twisters was ranked at EF-2, which is categorized as “strong” with the potential to cause “considerable damage.”
But it could have been worse, according to Julie Adolphson, a meteorologist with the NWS office in Kansas City. Unlike some tornado systems, the one that struck this week created strong winds more than long-lasting tornadoes, Adolphson told The Star. Still, a gallery of photos from the aftermath of the twisters clearly shows homes whose owners will need to file a claim under their homeowners insurance.
Homeowners insurance should cover damage from both direct hits from a tornado and from the consequences of high winds in and around the twister. But how well, and how quickly, you file the claim can affect how seamlessly you receive a fair and full settlement. Here’s what you need to do.
Thoroughly document damage after a tornado
Vicki Schmidt, Kansas Insurance Commissioner, advises, “If you do have an insurance claim, it’s important to do as much documenting as you possibly can.” And do so quickly, before you or a contractor touches or moves anything in your home that might complicate documenting the extent of the damage.
The best and easiest way to capture tornado damage is to take photos and videos, as long as it is safe to do so. (If any area of your house is unsafe to enter, take pictures from a safe distance.)
The images should include documenting changes to the home’s structure and the destruction or loss of personal belongings. Make sure your photos are clear and include as much detail as possible because they will serve as evidence of damage
If you created a home inventory in preparation for tornado season, as is wise, refer back to that to help you determine the value of what was lost — or, perhaps even what is missing, period.
Prevent further damage and protect items
Your next order of business is to prevent further damage to the home from exposure, at least as much as you can. That’s a step Schmidt says some homeowners fail to do, with the result that damage subsequent to the tornado may not be fully covered.
If you have a hole in your roof or if you have siding that’s been taken off by high winds or tornadoes, says Schmidt, people should make those immediate repairs, so that further damage can be prevented
Such steps will also help in the claims process, Schmidt adds, because policyholders have a contractual responsibility to preserve the property as best as they can. If you don’t, the homeowners insurance company may decrease your payout.
If there are repairs you can make yourself, do so — not least to prevent that further damage. You should also protect personal property in your home. Remove any belongings that can be saved or use tarps to cover them.
Save any larger issues for your restoration contractor. Your insurance adjuster may be able to provide you with a list of recommended professionals so that you make sure to use someone who is reputable.
If you have a lot of storm debris to take care of from Wednesday’s storm, your city may have drop off locations for that waste.
File your claim early, and consider doing so via a mobile app
As with any weather disaster that spurs a wave of claims, insurance experts advise Kansas and Missouri residents to move fast when it comes to their insurance. Jay MacLellan, director of public relations at Shelter Insurance in Columbia, Missouri, says, “file the claim as soon as possible and be specific on what the damage is so we can triage the severity.”
Tornadoes and severe storms often affect large areas resulting in widespread devastation and an influx of claims in the insurance industry. The longer you wait, the longer it could take for your claim to be processed.
If your insurance company offers a mobile app, use that to easily and quickly file your claim with your photo documentation right from your phone. Studies show that insurance company apps are the quickest way to process your claim. In fact, in a survey of U.S. insurance companies, digital service company Lightico found that companies that handle claims via app reported completing 70% in one week or less.
The Kansas Insurance Consumer Assistance Division and Missouri Insurance Department Division of Consumer Affairs is available to assist if you have any issues with your insurance company. They can handle complaints and also help with any inquiries if you need something explained or have other questions.
Alison Tobin is a personal finance news writer and editor. She covers news topics in the areas of savings, investing, real estate, taxes, insurance, and more. Her work has been featured in Yahoo!, Forbes, AP News, PropertyCasualty360, and various local publications across the United States.