It has been an active year for tornadoes in the United States this year with over 80 tornadoes occurring so far. This number exceeds the usual yearly average. You should know how to file a tornado insurance claim to get the financial assistance you need. This helps you bounce back quickly from disaster.
However, insurance companies may attempt to leave you stranded by denying your claim. Therefore, you should consult a public adjuster after filing your claim. This guarantees an approved claim with maximum settlement every time.
We will explain tornado insurance and its coverage under homeowner’s and renter’s insurance. We will also guide you step-by-step on how to file a tornado insurance claim. Let’s dive right into it.
What Is A Tornado Insurance Claim?
A tornado insurance claim is a formal request you submit to your insurer for financial support after a tornado damages your property. The settlement often covers property damage such as a damaged roof, broken windows, and damaged doors. The insurance claim guarantees reimbursement after your insurer validates and approves it.
Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Tornado Damage?
Most homeowner’s insurance policies cover wind and storm damage and tornadoes fall under this category. However, every insurance policy is different. Therefore, you should examine your policy for limits and exclusions that may restrict you from filing a tornado insurance claim. For instance, your insurer may require you to pay for an add-on because you live in a state prone to tornadoes.
Does Renter’s Insurance Cover Tornado Damage?
It is unlikely that your renter’s insurance will cover external tornado damage. For instance, if a tornado causes the roofing to crack, your landlord’s homeowner’s insurance should take care of that. This is because renters insurance is usually limited to personal belongings and additional living expenses. Therefore, your renter’s insurance will likely only reimburse you for damaged personal property and additional living expenses.
How To File a Tornado Insurance Claim
Here are the steps you should take to file a solid and valid tornado insurance claim:
Report the Damage to Your Insurer
As soon as it is safe to do so, put a call through to your insurer to report the damage. This ensures that they are informed and can provide needed information. You should ask them about how to access the claim form, the timeline for the claim, and their requirements. Create a checklist of all the information they provide so you don’t miss out on anything. It will also help you avoid missing important timelines which could cause the insurance company to deny your claim.
Mitigate and Document the Damage
It is your responsibility as a policyholder to prevent your home from falling into further disrepair. Therefore, you may need to hire board-up services out of pocket to protect your home. You may also need to shut off the water supply if the tornado damages it and it is flooding your home.
When you can safely access your home, take detailed photos and videos of the damage. If possible, get different angles of the damage to fully capture the extent.
Thoroughly Read Your Insurance Policy
Knowing your insurance policy will help you reap the benefits of the premium you pay. For example, you may have Loss of Use Coverage which will reimburse you if you need to stay outside your home due to the damage.
Additionally, understanding your policy helps you make an informed decision about what to claim for. Your policy contains your deductible. If your deductible is higher than the cost of repairs, filing a claim might not be worth it. Furthermore, you will find the limits on your coverage in your policy. This will help you avoid filing claims that your insurer will deny.
Fill Out the Claim Form
You should fill out the claim form as soon as possible. Delaying to fill out the form will in turn delay your tornado insurance claim. This is especially so if the tornado affected a large number of people. Additionally, many insurers have a timeframe within which you must file a claim. If you miss that window, your insurer will deny your claim.
Many insurance companies have a virtual copy of their claim form. You should be able to access this on the insurance company’s website or application. Ensure you answer all questions truthfully and attach the evidence of damage. If you are unsure as to the proper way to fill your claim form, call your insurer for some guidance.
Hire A Public Adjuster
If you want to get the most out of your tornado insurance claim, consult a public adjuster. A public adjuster brings a wealth of insurance and claim knowledge to your tornado insurance claim. They advocate for you during the claims process, ensuring the insurance adjuster does not overlook any damage. Additionally, public adjusters help you gather evidence of damage and repair estimates which they use to negotiate your claim.
Create An Inventory
Sooner or later, your insurance provider will request a list of damaged items in your home. They often use this to calculate your settlement. Therefore, you should prepare an inventory of all the personal property that the tornado damaged. If you can, include receipts of purchase. You may also include pictures or videos of the items. A public adjuster can help you create this inventory quickly.
Record All Communications With Your Insurer
It can be difficult to prove oral agreements if your insurer decides to deny their word. Therefore, it is best to record all communications with them. Ensure you keep the physical copies of all letters, emails, and other documents exchanged. Additionally, follow up with an email after a verbal discussion and ensure your insurer acknowledges receipt of said email.
Meet With the Insurance Adjuster
When your insurer receives your claim, they will assign their adjuster to investigate your claim. This means that the insurance adjuster will assess the damage to your home. They may also ask you questions about the cause and extent of the damage. After assessing the damage, the insurance adjuster will recommend a settlement amount to your insurer.
It is important to be careful around insurance adjusters. They work for the insurance company, therefore, they may intentionally undervalue your claim or overlook certain damages. Doing this will save the insurance company money but will put you at risk. Thus, you should stand your ground and question the basis of their assessment. Better still, ask your public adjuster to meet with the insurance adjuster.
Negotiate the Settlement
The first settlement offer your insurer gives you is usually a low-ball offer that desperate policyholders settle for. A public adjuster can help you effectively negotiate the settlement and maximize the amount you receive. They will use evidence of damage and repair estimates to do this. However, negotiation may go on for months.
How Much Does Tornado Insurance Cost?
You will hardly find an insurance company offering a separate tornado insurance policy. Tornado damage is usually covered under homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. The average homeowner’s insurance policy costs a little over $2,000 a year. Renter’s insurance is cheaper as it can cost as little as $30 a month which is $360 a year.
Conclusion
If you file your tornado insurance claim properly, you will receive reimbursement quickly and be able to return to your usual routine. Tornado damage is often unexpected and devastating. However, you do not need to add the emotional and financial strain of a denied claim to that. Put our guide to good use today and enjoy the benefits of your policy.
If you want to completely eradicate the chances of ending up with a denied claim, work with On-Site Adjusting. Our team of certified public adjusters will get you the settlement you deserve without any strain. Send us a message today and enjoy a stress-free claim.
