Preparing before severe weather: Know what your insurance covers
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Weather Authority is tracking the potential for severe weather across the Tennessee Valley on Tuesday night. This is a great reminder that severe weather season is here.
Aside from your normal storm preparations, it also might be a good time to take a look at your insurance policy.
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“Typically, your house is your biggest asset,” said Blake White, an Agency Owner with Alfa Insurance. “So, I think it’s very important to choose a good, reputable company to insure that.”
White said it is important for homeowners to know what is covered in their policy, ahead of any potential damage.
“It’s very important that they have replacement cost coverage, make sure they’ve got adequate coverage to make sure they’re not underinsured in the event of a total loss” White said.
“It’s also important that they know their deductible, and what kind of out-of-pocket expenses they’ll have.”
Severe and strong storms are very normal in Alabama in April, and damage isn’t out of the question. If a storm hits your home, White says, “I mean the first think you should do is make sure everybody is okay.”
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White said once you’ve taken a look at the damage, to get the ball rolling on making a claim.
“Start the claim by calling your local agency office, or you can start the claim process online,” White said.
Once you’ve contacted your insurance company, don’t let your guard down.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says to be wary of “storm chasers”, or people who follow after storms in hopes of making a “quick buck”.
If you do need to make home repairs, make sure you get references when hiring a contractor and get everything in writing. The BBB also recommends to avoid signing an estimate or authorization form prior to hiring a contractor.
It’s also a good idea to avoid making any permanent home repairs until after you get approval from your insurance company.
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