What to Do After Storm Damage to Your House?
Your home is your castle, but even the most well-fortified homes can fall victim to severe weather. If your house sustains damage from a storm, it can be a daunting and overwhelming task to figure out what to do next. But don’t worry – we’re here to help. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the necessary steps to take after your home has been damaged by a storm. We’ll also provide some helpful tips and resources along the way. So, whether this is your first time dealing with storm damage or you’re a seasoned pro, here is the information you need to get your home back in shape.
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to start the claims process
Once your house has been damaged by a storm, it is important to contact your insurance company quickly to begin the claims process. Working together with your insurance provider can help ensure that you receive the necessary coverage for any damage or repairs required. They will guide you through the process, provide insight into what decisions should be made, and give you access to some of their specialized resources. Getting in touch with them as soon as possible gives you peace of mind and ensures that everything runs smoothly as you start repairing storm damage to your house.
Take photos or videos of the damage to document it for your claim
Severe weather can cause extensive property damage, so capturing detailed evidence of the damage is essential. Taking photos or videos can be a helpful way to document storm damage to your house for insurance and repair purposes. Capturing clear images of the damaged items and area is important, as this can provide critical information on the type and extent of damage to support your claims and repair costs. Additionally, time-stamping these photos or documents can create an accurate timeline for the events leading up to the claim. Make sure you keep originals of all photos or documents you file to accurately demonstrate your losses.
Make sure you and your family are safe – if there is any structural damage, evacuate the premises immediately
After any kind of storm or other weather event, the safety of you and your family is the most important worry. Therefore, if there is any structural damage to your home, immediately evacuate and get everyone to a safe place. Once your loved ones are taken care of, inspect the home for any further threats like water damage that can cause more problems in time. Then you can contact your insurance company and begin repairs as soon as possible, getting back to life as usual.
If you can, try to protect your property from further damage – for example, by covering holes in the roof with tarpaulins
After a storm has caused damage to your house, it is important to take proactive measures to prevent additional destruction. If you can access the area in which the damage occurred, try covering any holes in the roof with a tarpaulin or other suitable material. Doing so will help to protect your property from further destruction. Additionally, it is usually safer for those inside the home to remain outside until all dangers have been assessed, as there could be residual hazards posed by broken glass, fallen power lines, and weakened structures. Taking timely action can minimize future risks and afford some peace of mind in a difficult situation!
Keep all receipts for repairs and replacements, as these will be needed for your insurance claim
After storm damage to your house has occurred, it’s important to keep all receipts for any repairs and replacements you might have made. These can be as simple as buying new tarp to cover broken windows or hiring a professional to make general home repairs. Not only will these receipts come in handy when filing an insurance claim, keeping them organized will also ensure that you don’t miss out on anything needing to be compensated for! It can help to take pictures of the original damage before making any repairs and storing those respectively along with your receipts. Doing so will give your insurance company an idea of how extensive the damages were, aiding in the coverage process.
Storm damage to your home can be intimidating, but taking the right steps to mitigate the damage and repair it is important for both your safety and for filing an insurance claim. Our team at West Coast Fire & Water is here to help. We know that the priority is always safety – so make sure you and your family are secure before assessing or repairing any structural or other serious damage. Take pictures of all damages, learn what’s covered by your policy, and keep every receipt related to repairs. Doing so not only ensures that your insurance company will cover as much of the cost as possible, but also that you have accurate records of what happened in case of future disputes. Most storm-related damages can be repaired; being proactive about making repairs quickly and correctly may help minimize long-term consequences. Call us today to request an appointment at 916-945-9665.