07/06/2026
STORM CLAIMS 101
1) Time spent cleaning up and mitigating against further damage is billable to the insurance company. Whether you hire a specialist to reduce and minimize damage, or you do it yourself, the Insurance Carrier is responsible for paying an hourly wage to all persons involved in the clean-up. Keep an itemized spreadsheet of names, dates, and times, and extent of clean-up. Turn it into your claim handler weekly.
2) You are responsible to mitigate against further damage. You cannot just leave a hole in the roof until an adjuster comes out. Take steps to ensure that no further damage will incur to ensure your carrier does not deny any coverage due to lack of mitigation.
3) A claims adjuster will not come out to your home until you have filed a claim. BUT, you SHOULD NEVER FILE A CLAIM WITHOUT FIRST ENSURING THE DAMAGE EXCEEDS THE DEDUCTIBLE, AND THAT DAMAGES ARE ACTUALLY RECOVERABLE.
4) Do not file a roof claim if your roof was just plain old. Just like maintaining tires on your vehicle, and replacing them when they are worn, you are responsible for maintaining your roof and replacing it when it is old. Your insurance is for single catastrophic incidents, not maintenance.
5) Do not let someone who knocked on your door handle a claim on your behalf. If you do not personally know them, or contacted them yourself, they are likely a storm chaser and not a professionally insured and bonded contractor.
6) MAKE SURE your contractor is INSURED & BONDED. Bonded guarantees the work. If you don't do that homework, you can't complain when they rip you off or do shoddy work. You were warned here.
7) Your neighbors tree is now your tree. God gave it to you. If you didn't send them a certified letter stating you had concerns about the trees health and potential property damage, it's your claim now.
8) NEVER THROW ANYTHING AWAY WITHOUT DOCUMENTATION. You cannot claim damages on personal property if there is nothing to inspect. Even if you rip out carpet, save a large piece for inspection by the adjuster.
9) Rely on your Agent. They are the professional and can help you navigate your claim. Trying to manage everything on your own may end up to missed recoverables.
10) You cannot change carriers with an open claim. You have to finish what you started before you can move on. And even then, you will likely be penalized for the recent claim with a new carrier. Once a Homeowners claim is filed, it will influence your ability to move carriers for at least 3-5 years. File wisely.
