Local insurers scramble to aid homeowners
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Homeowners in Kosciusko County whose houses were damaged in Wednesday's tornadoes are finding out that one of the most important things they can do now is talk to their insurance company.
"It's all about communication," said John Morris, Farm Bureau Insurance agent.
Morris said agents and adjusters were out Wednesday night appraising the damage and arranging for temporary repairs or alternate living arrangements.
Dan Woods, of Hall and Marose Agency Inc., Warsaw, said clients with damaged homes called a toll-free number Wednesday, and the agency authorized two days of hotel expenses until adjusters could look at the damage.
Morris said Farm Bureau does the same thing, and a fund is included in most homeowners' policies that allows for a family's hotel stay or a rental house. He also said most companies will advance a family money for meals or clothing if none of their own is available.
"Some of these people don't even have their toothbrush," he said.
Once the insurance company is contacted, the agent or adjuster can help the homeowner arrange for temporary repairs while contractors come in and give estimates on permanent rebuilding. Most companies, however, use their own appraisals and estimates of damage to homes and cars.
Both men said most clients are seen within 48 hours after the damage occurred.
From then on, it's up to the homeowner, contractor and adjuster, though Morris asked that clients keep their agents informed on the progress of the claim.
Woods said the claim process is not a lengthy one.
"It's not a hassle because we owe it," he said. "This is why you buy insurance. If the policy's in force, it's in force, and we owe it."
He advised clients with claims to keep track of the hours they spend cleaning up their property, because that may offset some of the deductible.
He also told people to keep receipts for all of the extra items they pay for.
Communication is key, Morris said, but so is patience.
"That is really so critical," he said. "We're gonna try and put you back in the same shape that you were in, and that's not gonna happen overnight." [[In-content Ad]]
Homeowners in Kosciusko County whose houses were damaged in Wednesday's tornadoes are finding out that one of the most important things they can do now is talk to their insurance company.
"It's all about communication," said John Morris, Farm Bureau Insurance agent.
Morris said agents and adjusters were out Wednesday night appraising the damage and arranging for temporary repairs or alternate living arrangements.
Dan Woods, of Hall and Marose Agency Inc., Warsaw, said clients with damaged homes called a toll-free number Wednesday, and the agency authorized two days of hotel expenses until adjusters could look at the damage.
Morris said Farm Bureau does the same thing, and a fund is included in most homeowners' policies that allows for a family's hotel stay or a rental house. He also said most companies will advance a family money for meals or clothing if none of their own is available.
"Some of these people don't even have their toothbrush," he said.
Once the insurance company is contacted, the agent or adjuster can help the homeowner arrange for temporary repairs while contractors come in and give estimates on permanent rebuilding. Most companies, however, use their own appraisals and estimates of damage to homes and cars.
Both men said most clients are seen within 48 hours after the damage occurred.
From then on, it's up to the homeowner, contractor and adjuster, though Morris asked that clients keep their agents informed on the progress of the claim.
Woods said the claim process is not a lengthy one.
"It's not a hassle because we owe it," he said. "This is why you buy insurance. If the policy's in force, it's in force, and we owe it."
He advised clients with claims to keep track of the hours they spend cleaning up their property, because that may offset some of the deductible.
He also told people to keep receipts for all of the extra items they pay for.
Communication is key, Morris said, but so is patience.
"That is really so critical," he said. "We're gonna try and put you back in the same shape that you were in, and that's not gonna happen overnight." [[In-content Ad]]