Summer is upon us and that means it’s storm season! Thunderstorms, wind storms and hail storms usually happen during the warm months in the afternoon or evenings. But keep in mind, they can occur throughout the entire year and at any time of the day or night. The best way to protect yourself and your home is by preparing and knowing what to do before, during and after a summer storm hits.
Summer Storm Preparedness
You can begin your preparedness efforts by identifying which emergencies or disasters are most likely to happen in your area. For example, if you live in the Midwest, tornados may be your biggest concern. Or maybe you live near a body of water and flood preparedness is your top priority. From there, you can begin to take steps to get ready.
The first step is to create a disaster plan. Discuss with your family about when an evacuation would be necessary and nail down evacuation procedures. Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do when a severe storm hits and where to meet if you get separated from one another.
There are some simple precautions you can take in almost any situation. When you’re concerned about flooding, wind or lightning, you can:
- Clean your gutters
- Purchase and install storm shutters
- Keep tree limbs trimmed
- Be aware of weather forecasts and patterns
- Secure loose patio furniture
- Seek shelter in a basement or interior room when the storm hits
Make sure you have an emergency kit, including a first aid kit. You should always have supplies at the ready too — battery-powered flashlight, canned goods, bottled water, battery-powered radio, and candles, just to name a few. You can never be too cautious.
The Aftermath of Summer Storms
After the storm is over and it’s safe to go outside, go and take a look at your home’s exterior. Take note of any damage, including missing shingles, fallen tree branches or any other damage. Describe even the smallest dents and dings, as they could be a sign of worse damage.
Once you have all of your evidence collected, prepare to call your insurance agent. Gather your policy number, and if you have a copy of the policy handy, take a minute to review it. If you take the time to make sure you have a good understanding of what your agreement with your insurance agency is, your phone call could go more smoothly.
The next step is actually contacting your insurance agent. Once you start the filing process, the company will send a representative out to your home to assess the damage. Don’t schedule to have any work completed before the representative has had a chance to look at the damage. This representative will report back to your insurance company with an estimate. From there, your insurance company will offer you a payout for what they think it will take to fix the damage.
Insurance Adjusters & Summer Storms
If you don’t think the amount the insurance company offered you is accurate or fair, that’s where we come in. A public adjuster from Norcia Insurance Consultants can independently evaluate the damage to your property and communicate with your insurance company to get you the money you deserve. We are public adjusters and insurance adjusters, ready to evaluate your individual situation.
Our team can help in the event of any type of natural disaster including:
- Tornado
- Flooding
- Wind damage
- Hail damage
- Lightning strike
Our office will also help you with property damage that is not the direct result of a natural disaster or emergency. Don’t hesitate to contact us in any situation where you have filed a claim with your insurance agency.
We can help cut through the red tape and decipher the communications from your insurance company. We can also help you with the paperwork, and we can be the middle-man between you and your insurance company. That way, you can get all of the insurance money you are entitled to, and there is less stress on you overall.
We work for you. We don’t work for an agency whose job it is to make money off of you and your claims. We look out for your best interests at all times, and we’ll give you a second opinion and help you repair your property by getting you the funds you deserve.
If you need an insurance adjuster or help with the process, contact us today. You can call us at 866-512-5677 (LOSS) or fill out This Form for a free consultation.
**This notice provides general information and is not legal advice or legal opinions on specific facts.
