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Helpful Claim Tips

A hurricane may develop quickly and we urge you to prepare with all of us at TSGA for this possibility.

Preparing for a Hurricane

  • You must ensure that you have adequate coverage before storm season.  Insurance coverage will not be added or increased once a storm has entered the Gulf.
  • Once you know that there is the potential for evacuation, make a ‘go’ bag, including important insurance and medication information sealed in a plastic bag to protect from the weather.
  • Trees should be trimmed and the premises should be cleared of any loose items and or debris.  This includes yard furniture, lawn decorations and anything that can be blown off the dwelling during a storm.
  • Turn off the water at the main, natural gas at the meter and power at the fuse box.
  • After the storm has passed, if you see sparks or frayed wires turn off the power at your meter.  If you have to walk through water to get to your meter, call an electrician.
  • If there is no Wind, Hurricane or Flood coverage on the policy you must contact FEMA for assistance at (800) 621-3362.  FEMA requires a denial letter from the company in order to assist you with your loss.
Hurricane Tracking Map

When reporting a loss be specific about the extent of damage and the amount of hardship involved.  “Need” will determine response time in the event of a catastrophe. Also include as much contact information as possible. If you have been evacuated, the adjuster will not be able to contact you on your residence phone.

Mandatory Evacuation
There is no Mandatory Evacuation Coverage in the insurance policy.  This applies even if you have been ordered to evacuate by a governmental agency.

 

Additional Living Expense (ALE) or Loss of Use (LOU)
When ALE or LOU is afforded under your policy, coverage will be provided for living expenses that are comparable to normal living expenses when the dwelling is uninhabitable. (Mandatory Evacuation is not classified as “uninhabitable”)

 

Timeline Extensions
Adjuster/Acknowledgement response times generally take 10-15 days longer than an average claims handling time.  Patience is important in the aftermath of a hurricane.  Damages are inspected as quickly as possible after the loss was reported. However, there will be some exceptions.  Keep in mind that if you cannot get back into your home, neither can an adjuster.  Damages, evacuations etc. may delay the handling time of your claim.

 

Payment of a Claim (Status)
After the inspection has occurred, contact your desk adjuster to check the status of a payment.  Note, if the adjuster has requested additional information,  claim payments can be delayed pending all of the information and/or documentation requested by the adjuster being received.

 

Re-Inspections
Although an adjuster will attempt to make the best possible estimate in the initial inspection, a re-inspection is not uncommon.  If there is additional damage that is not shown on the adjuster’s estimate and/or material costs have increased, you should contact your desk adjuster to discuss the damage before proceeding with repairs.

 

Flood Claim Tips

Please feel free to share these important flood claim tips with your customers:

  • Check for structural damage before entering.
  • Do not dry anything that will have to be removed (carpet, drywall, insulation)
  • Take photos, save all receipts and track your time spent cleaning.
  • Make a list of damaged personal property.
  • If building property is removed (drywall, carpet, carpet pad), keep it on the premises. If it must be removed, cut a sample piece to give to claims adjuster.
FEMA Flood Map