Tornado Damage Insurance Claim: A Complete Guide

With the rising concerns about tornadoes in Ontario, people have become increasingly worried. Ontario is a tornado-prone area; more than 50 tornadoes are recorded in Ontario within a single year on an average. This raises questions like “Does home insurance cover tornado damage?” Long answer short, yes! Home insurance does cover tornado damage, safeguarding your rights.

However, dealing with these claims can be overwhelming. Your world turns upside down with all the legal paperwork, repairs, and insurance adjusters. At this point, understanding the claims process becomes crucial. This guide is for you to understand tornado damage insurance claims clearly.

This blog post will highlight:

• How Does Tornado Damage Pose a Threat to Your Property?
• Check Your Insurance Coverage
• Document the Damage for the Tornado Claim
• How to Deal With Insurance Adjusters?
• How to Speed Up Your Tornado Damage Insurance Claim Process?
• Seek Professional Help From Onyx Adjusting

How Does Tornado Damage Pose a Threat to Your Property?

From April to September, tornadoes peak, flinging debris at high speeds, uprooting trees, peeling away rooftops, and tearing through buildings. These can pose a real threat to the property. Here are the common types of tornado damage:

Roof and Structural Damage

High winds caused by tornadoes can lift or rip off sections of your roof. These events pose a significant risk to your roof and structure. Such damage can leave you exposed to rain and future weather events, with walls and support beams likely to crack as well.

Water Intrusion

When the roofs and walls of your property are damaged, water can seep in, causing mould, rot, and even electrical hazards.

Broken Windows and Doors

Debris flying due to a tornado can shatter glass windows and doors, which can damage the interior. Broken windows and doors must be fixed immediately to reduce further damage.

Check Your Insurance Coverage

Most homeowners think they will receive an insurance claim for tornado damage but often forget to read the fine print. Policies do cover tornado damage, but their specific coverage varies from policy to policy because everyone has different plans. Here’s what might be covered in your tornado damage policy:

Dwelling Coverage

This coverage is generally applied to the structure of your home. If your rooftop or walls get damaged, your policy might cover the repairs too. The repairing costs can be covered under it.

Personal Property Coverage

Just think of every item inside your home: clothes, washing machine, furniture, and other items. Your policy might cover this too.

Additional Living Expenses (ALE)

Have to move out of your home temporarily until the repairs are done? Under ALE, you might get reimbursed for the costs, such as hotel bills and even short-term rentals.

Separate Policy Requirements

In certain areas, tornado damage might require a separate policy, and if you don’t have it, there might be issues regarding your policy. Please ensure that your current policy explicitly covers tornadoes.

Document the Damage for the Tornado Claim

When you want to file an insurance claim for tornado damage, you have to submit proper documents that serve as evidence. This documentation can help in ensuring whether your claim will be approved and you will get compensation or not. Make sure to:

Click Photographs and Take Videos

If you want a fair settlement for your claim, then you must have solid evidence. So make sure to click photographs and take videos of the incident. Capture every damage clearly, showcasing if it needs to be repaired or replaced. No matter how small the damage is, capturing it is the best.

Tip: It is better to have too many photos than not to have any.

Record Date and Description of Incident

If you remember the date of the tornado, then you must record it. Be sure to write down the moment you see specific damage and any other important details. The more accurate your timeline is, the better it is.

Get Repair Estimates

Make sure to get repair estimates from 3 to 4 repair companies to prove your estimates are correct. Make sure to maintain the copies of all the repair quotes. You will need all the documents to prove the extent of the damage.

Save All the Receipts

Had to invest in something like renting a generator or buying emergency traps while your home was damaged? If so, then you must save the receipts of items or services related to stabilizing your home.

How to Deal With Insurance Adjusters?

Once you have filed a claim, you will be getting in touch with an insurance adjuster who will:

• Inspect your property
• Evaluate the damage
• Provide an estimate

Tips for Working With Insurance Adjusters

Here are some tips to wok with insurance adjusters:

Talk Politely:

The first and important step is to be polite. Politeness opens the door to a healthy conversation. You must talk politely but firmly. Don’t just accept an offer with low claim coverage.

Submit Documents:

The next step is to present photos, videos, estimates, and even receipts to support your claims. You must show that you are organized, and you must obtain a favourable settlement.

Ask for Explanations:

If your adjuster offers too low coverage or claims that certain repairs are not covered, then be certain to ask for explanations and a clear reference for the specific policy wording. Don’t just accept it, thinking it is not really covered.

Consider Additional Opinions:

If you think that the adjuster’s estimates are low or unfair, then you must get in touch with a public adjuster. They can help you fight for your flights and obtain fair coverage.

How to Speed Up Your Tornado Damage Insurance Claim Process?

• Make sure to file your claim as soon as possible. After confirming that the tornado caused the damage, promptly file your claim. If you delay your process, the questions regarding your legitimacy can be raised.
• If you are getting any calls or emails from your insurance adjuster, then make sure to get back to them immediately.
• Keep all your documents in one place and handy. When you have all your documents handy, it ensures quick paperwork, photos, and repair estimates.
• In case you don’t hear back from your insurance company within a responsible time, then you must contact your insurance company soon.
• Ask for an update on your claim’s status.

Seek Professional Help From Onyx Adjusting 

Is your tornado damage claim too difficult to deal with? Is your insurance adjuster offering too low claim compensation? Don’t just accept the offering thinking it is the last option. Make sure to get help from our public adjusters in Ontario.

At Onyx Adjusting, we understand how overwhelming it might be to deal with a tornado damage claim. You don’t have to deal with it alone. Our team will safeguard you from substantial damages. Let us empower you to secure fair compensation for and protect what matters most. Contact us now and discuss your insurance claim policy.