Property and casualty insurance can help cover tornado damages. When you live in Texas, severe spring storms aren’t an unfamiliar experience. With these severe storms comes a real threat of tornadoes, which can result in serious damage to your home, requiring the need to file a claim against your property and casualty insurance. If you’re asking yourself, “Does homeowners insurance cover tornadoes?” it may be time to re-evaluate your coverage. Once you know you are covered, you should take the following steps.
Contact Your Insurance Company Immediately
If your home is damaged by a tornado, regardless of the amount of damage, property and casualty insurance companies in Dallas and the surrounding areas recommend you contact your policy provider right away so they are aware. The insurance representative may ask questions about the severity of damage so be prepared.
Document the Damage
While the insurance company will send an adjuster to evaluate the damage, it’s important to collect your own documentation in case it takes a while. Take photos and videos of any damaged areas to provide to your insurance company. It’s also important to make any temporary repairs you can as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your home or its contents.
Check Over Your Policy
Many homeowners don’t know exactly what their policy covers. While it’s important to read through your policy regularly to make sure you have the appropriate coverage, it can be helpful to go over your coverage before you need it so you know what to expect.
Schedule Permanent Repairs
In order to get your life back on track as quickly as possible, schedule estimate visits from contractors, as well as your repairs. However, beware of scammers. Tragedies like tornadoes often attract unscrupulous business owners who will take advantage by taking your money and running. Do your research before you hire anyone, and if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is.
Keep in Touch with Your Agent
Your insurance agent will help you through every step of the process with your claim. For this reason, it’s important to ask plenty of questions and be available to answer any they may have. Be sure to ask about any discounts available, as well as additional living expenses while the work is completed, tax deductions and any other financial assistance to which you may be entitled. Tornadoes can be devastating and Texas residents need to be prepared in case the worst should happen. Property and casualty insurance companies in Dallas and the surrounding areas are well aware of tornado risks and are experienced in providing claims service to their policyholders. However, knowing the right steps you should take will ensure your home is repaired as quickly as possible. If you are wondering, “does homeowners insurance cover tornadoes?” contact us. ABCO Home Plus Insurance Agency can help you evaluate your policy and update it to ensure you have the proper coverage if disaster strikes.