LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — As this week is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Michigan, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is encouraging all Michiganders to ensure that they have the insurance coverage needed to help them quickly recover from storm-related damage should disaster strike.
“It is important that Michiganders prepare for the potential damage that severe weather can bring as we head into the spring weather season,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox. “With home values, car prices, and building material costs remaining higher than normal, DIFS recommends that you read through your insurance policies to ensure you are adequately covered and discuss your insurance needs with your insurance agent or company.”
Experts warn that weather emergencies can happen at any time, and even more so when the seasons change. They recommend all Michiganders to take the following steps to ensure they are properly protected:
- Verify that they have the appropriate insurance coverage with their insurance agent or company and discuss any coverage needs. Though many types of storm damage are covered by homeowners and renters insurance, flood damage is typically not covered unless you have purchased federal flood insurance. Water and sewer back-up is also not automatically covered under a homeowners or renters policy so anyone with concerns should discuss their coverage options with an insurance agent or insurance company before flooding or damage occurs.
- Create a detailed list of personal possessions with photographs of each room on the property, and a thorough list of other valuables not seen in the photographs. These materials should be stored in a safe place, such as a safe deposit box, with a relative, or digitally online.
- Make a list of important phone numbers including family members, emergency responders, insurance agents and insurance companies.
- Store copies of all insurance policy declaration pages and insurance cards in a safe place, such as a safe deposit box or online securely in a digital format, such as in the cloud in case the originals are destroyed or lost.
- Make sure they have a plan, such as a dedicated emergency fund, for paying an insurance policy’s deductible to help avoid severe financial strain in the aftermath of a disaster.
If your property is damaged, you should:
- Contact your insurance company’s claims hotline and/or agent to report the claim. Have your policy number(s) ready and other relevant information easily available. To make the claims process even easier, DIFS has prepared an Insurance Claims Tracking Sheet.
- Take steps to protect the property and prevent further loss but do not make permanent repairs until the insurance company has inspected the damage. Be sure to keep receipts for any purchases of supplies that are needed to protect the property.
- Document the loss. Take pictures or videos of the damaged items and do not get rid of the items until instructed to do so by the insurance company.
- If there is water damage, you should tell your insurance company that there is water damage and you are looking to determine what coverage is available. Water damage is not necessarily the same as flood damage, so consumers should not simply state that the damage is due to a “flood.” There may be additional causes for water damage, such as a sewer backup or failing sump pump, that may be covered under the policy.
- Protect yourself from fraud. After a storm, adjusters, contractors, and other solicitors may offer to inspect or repair damage. Unfortunately, unscrupulous individuals may cause damage to drive up the repair cost and your insurance company will not cover the additional cost. Always verify the credentials and licensure of these individuals and be present in the home when damage is inspected or repaired. Remember insurance companies pay the adjusters they employ and they should not ask you for any payment for their services. To report a scam or price gouging, contact Michigan’s Attorney General at 877-765-8388 or online for further information.
For additional information on preparing for severe weather in Michigan, visit the DIFS Disaster Preparedness webpage.
