Members

What Should I Do if My Home is Damaged in Winter Weather?

January 04, 2018

Many of us know how to prepare our home for winter weather, but what do we do if our home actually sustains damage from severe winter weather? Take the following steps provided by Property Casualty Insurers Association of America:

If you encounter downed power lines, stay away. Call the power company to report any outages.
Report all damage to your insurance company or agent as quickly as possible.
Make a list of all of the damage and any resulting expenses. This means keeping receipts for all purchases so you can submit them to your insurance company later.
If your property is determined to be uninhabitable, call your insurance company or agent to determine what additional living expenses might be covered by your homeowners or renter’s policy. Many standard homeowners and renter’s policies provide reimbursement of additional living expenses in this situation, which helps pay for increases to necessary living expenses like temporary housing and meals.
Beware of deceitful contractors following a natural disaster. Obtain references for potential contractors from your agent or local business bureau. Also ask for certificates of liability and workers compensation before signing contracts.

Resources

http://www.pciaa.net/docs/default-source/default-document-library/nat_cat_tips_winter.pdf?sfvrsn=2

This blog entry is created for informational purposes only. Any viewpoint or sponsorship of outside parties involved in the blog entry does not necessarily represent Goodville's stance as a company. The blog should not be used as a substitute for professional advice.