Texas Department
of Insurance
Summaries of the
News Releases for 2005
TDI Offers
Hurricane Preparedness Tips
News Release Date:
7/19/2005
Category: Disaster/Storms
Insurance
Tips for Before and After the Storm
AUSTIN – Being ready for the storm doesn’t only
mean protecting your property and gathering
emergency supplies. The Texas Department of
Insurance is urging coastal residents to gather
and review their insurance policies in case they
need to make a claim after the storm.
The following tips can help make the claims
process a little easier and speed recovery:
Review your coverage – Contact your agent and
check the limits of your policies, including
coverage for contents and buildings. Your limits
may be too low if replacement costs have risen
because of new additions, improvements or
inflation.
Know what your policy covers – Homeowners, farm
and ranch, renters, windstorm and condominium
policies do not cover damage from rising waters.
For more information about flood insurance, call
the National Flood Insurance Program at
1-800-427-4661 or visit its website: http://www.fema.gov/nfip.
If you live in a coastal county you may also
need a windstorm policy from the Texas Windstorm
Insurance Association (TWIA). For more
information, call TWIA at 1-800-788-8247 or
visit its website: http://www.twia.org. Check
your auto policy to see if you have
comprehensive coverage “other than collision.”
Comprehensive coverage pays if a storm, fire, or
flood damages your car.
Keep an inventory - Make a list of the items you
own. Photograph or videotape each room and the
exterior of your home. List item serial numbers
when available.
Safeguard your records - Keep insurance policies
and your inventory in a safe deposit box or
other secure spot. Accurate records speed up
claims processing and can help prove
tax-deductible, uninsured losses.
Protect your property - If a hurricane or severe
storm warning is issued, and you have time, take
appropriate precautions. Secure windows, move
your car into a garage or other shelter, secure
boats and trailers, move loose items such as
lawn furniture and lawn equipment indoors or
under cover.
After the storm - Check your house and car for
damage. Contact your insurance company promptly
to report damage and follow up with a written
claim to protect your rights. Your homeowners
and renters policies will pay for debris removal
and temporary living expenses. Make necessary
repairs to protect your home and property from
further damage. Cover broken windows and holes
to keep rain out. However, do not make permanent
repairs before a claims adjuster inspects the
damage. Keep a record of your repair expenses
and save all receipts. Photograph the damage.
Try to be present when the adjuster inspects
your damage.
Resolving your claim - Your insurance company
must acknowledge that it has begun an
investigation within 15 days of receiving your
claim. The company may request additional
information to settle your claim. Once it has
that information, the company must accept or
reject your claim within 15 business days or
tell you why it needs more time. If the
Commissioner of Insurance designates the event
as a major catastrophe, the claim handling
deadlines are extended for an additional 15
days. Once a settlement is reached, the company
has five business days to mail you a check. If
you do not receive your payment promptly, call
your agent. If you have questions about your
claim, call TDI at 1-800-252-3439 or visit our
website:
http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/commish/storms/index.html.
Work with reputable contractors - Ask
contractors for references and verify them.
Contact your Better Business Bureau, local
police, or Chamber of Commerce for information.
Insist on an itemized contract in writing and
pay only as work is completed. The Texas
Deceptive Trade Practices Act prohibits price
gouging once the governor has declared an area a
disaster area. Call the Office of the Attorney
General’s Consumer Protection Hot Line at
1-800-337-3928 if you suspect price gouging or
any other deceptive business practice.
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