Your homeowners policy will describe the actual terms, conditions, exclusions and coverage amounts for your particular loss
What if my home has
sustained severe damage and I need immediate help?
Please take the appropriate steps to
protect your property from further damage. Keep all receipts of costs incurred
as a result of any temporary repairs. If possible, photograph the damaged areas
before the temporary repairs are made. Photographing, making an inventory of and
keeping damaged property for inspection will help in expediting your claim. In
most cases, you will be reimbursed for reasonable temporary repair costs for
damages that your policy covers you for.
As a result of a windstorm,
I have fallen tree debris. Is this covered?
If a tree damages a structure
covered under the policy, there is a $500 limit for debris removal. However,
this is the most that is paid regardless of the number of fallen trees and it is
subject to your chosen deductible. There are certain endorsements that provide
additional coverage to include removal of trees from landscaped areas of the
covered property. This coverage is not extended to trees which fall on property
owned by others. With this endorsement, if your neighbor's tree falls onto your
property, there is coverage if the tree damaged a structure covered under your
policy.
Following a natural disaster,
unfamiliar contractors are going from door to door offering their services for
clean up and repairs. How do I know if they are honest and reputable?
While the majority of the businesses
are honest and reputable, some are not. We suggest the following helpful hints
to avoid a potentially difficult situation down the road:
 | If possible, use contractors that are familiar to you.
| Always ask for references from previous customers and local
suppliers. Be sure to check the references out!
| If possible, get more than one estimate. Never be pushed into signing a
contract on the spot.
| Get all agreements in writing, i.e. work to be performed, costs,
time schedules, guarantees, payment schedules and any other expectations.
Never sign a blank contract.
| Never pay a contractor in full, or sign a contract of satisfaction until
the work is completed. | |
My food has spoiled due to a power
outage, do I have coverage under my homeowners policy?
When the power outage was a result
of an event that takes place on your property, there is coverage up to the
actual cash value of the food and subject to your chosen deductible. An example
would be if the electrical service was torn from your house. It would not
include spoilage due to a power outage off your property, for example, the whole
street or town is blacked out. However, if you have a certain endorsement to
your homeowners policy, food spoilage due to a power outage off your property
would be covered up to $500 and not subject to a deductible.
I can't live in my house due to damage, will my policy cover me for temporary shelter?
If the loss that rendered your home
unfit to live in is covered under your policy, we cover the increased living
costs to stay in temporary living arrangements. Additional living expenses are
for situations such as a loss to your home as a result of a windstorm, lightning
or fire which render the home not able to be lived in. Additional living
expenses are not available for situations such as a power outage on your street
or in your town. If your policy covers you for additional living expenses, we
will help coordinate the arrangements for you.
I have had water damage to
my home and/or personal property, is this covered?
Damage
as a result of water entering the structure from a covered loss such as
lightning, windstorm, or the weight of ice, snow or sleet would be covered.
Water damage to a building or personal property caused by a flood, surface or
ground water or back up of sewers or drains is not covered. This would include
water that seeps through the foundation and floods the basement. Additionally,
water which backs up into the insured's home as a result of a full drain or
sewer is not covered.