Winter Storm Damage Insurance Claims: What Homeowners Need to Know

It doesn’t matter where you live; a winter storm can highly impact your home. Now that’s a natural disaster, you can’t control it. But there’s something that’s in your control, and it’s to protect yourself from the unexpected that can happen. The immediate panic can leave you confused, and you might make mistakes in filing a successful insurance claim. 

A winter storm damage insurance claim is difficult to navigate and is a high-stakes process. If you are dealing with home damage and want a claim, then you might have to deal with insurance companies that plan to minimize your payout. During these times, you don’t have to worry about anything when you have adjusters by your side who can guide you and provide you with the essential information you need to streamline your claim. 

 Read this blog post to know how to get the fair settlement you deserve after a devastating winter storm. This article will highlight: 

1. Understand the Policy Thoroughly 
2. Immediate Actions to Take
3. Navigating the Claim Process
4. Role of Professional Adjusters 

Understanding the Policy’s Core is Crucial

The foremost step after the damage occurs is to understand your homeowner’s insurance policy. A policy is a legal document that states what is covered in the compensation and what is not, along with the rules to follow. You might find yourself wondering, “Am I Covered?” So you must carefully review your insurance coverage to ensure you know what’s covered. 

When you are reviewing your policy, it is crucial to break down the coverage provided by your plan, specifically for winter storm-related incidents. Here are coverage components offered in standard homeowner’s property policies:

• Roof damage
• Fallen trees
• Water damage
• Furniture 
• Clothing 
• Electronics 

The policies might cover both property damage and personal property, such as items inside the home damaged by the storm. Moreover, some policies may include liability coverage, which is crucial if someone is injured on your property during a severe storm. 

Exclusions in Policy

You must be aware of the exclusions in your policy to understand what is covered. Various standard policies do not cover winter storm-related damages, such as: 

• Flood damage
• Negligence
• Wear and tear 

What Immediate Actions Should You Take After Winter Storm Damage?

The moment you get to know about the damage caused by a winter storm, your focus shifts from surviving to compliance with your policy’s requirements. Your insurance contract includes various provisions, but also requires you to take reasonable steps to help prevent further damage.  

Begin with Safety and Temporary Repairs

• Make sure you are safe even during these times. Turn off the gas and electricity to the damage area, and if the structure is damaged, evacuate immediately. 
• If there are any emergency repairs, begin with them as soon as possible. Cover a damaged roof with a tarp, get broken windows fixed, and remove water from flooded areas. 
• Make sure not to begin with permanent repair until the insurance company has inspected the damage.
• Keep a record of all the temporary repairs, traps, materials, and labour used in it. You must keep the receipts for all of them to ensure you are compensated by your insurer for them, too.

Keep Everything Documented 

The key to a successful claim is documentation. Your documents are what ensure that you will get a claim or not. The more evidence you have, the stronger your claim will be. Here’s how you can collect evidence: 

• Photos and videos serve as clear and strong evidence that can help you with your claim. Take clear, high-resolution photos and videos of every piece of damage caused by the storm. Make sure to capture the damage from multiple angles. Take different shots from close up to wide-angle shots. 
• Create a list of the damaged personal belongings. Include the item, the manufacturer, model number, approximate age, and even the estimated replacement cost. 
• Another important thing is to keep a claim journal to document every interaction, including the date, time, names of adjusters, and a summary of the conversation. Make sure everything important is in writing.

How to Navigate the Claims Process? The Step-by-Step Journey!

Now that the storm and other dangers have passed, and the documentation is underway, you can begin with your claim process. Here are the steps to take for your claim process: 

Step 1: Filing the Notice of Loss

Firstly, contact your insurance agent or the company’s claim department as soon as possible to report the loss. Provide them with the essential details, including the date of loss, the cause of loss, and a brief description of the damage. After filing the claim, you will get a unique claim number that can be used for future use, too. 

 Step 2: Adjuster’s Visit 

• Within the days of filing a claim, you’ll be assigned an adjuster for your case. The adjuster is supposed to calculate the damage and help you get the necessary compensation. The adjuster will represent your interests. 
• When you are aware that an adjuster will be visiting you, prepare for the visit. Keep policy, claim number, journal, and documentation ready. 
• When the adjusters are at your property, walk them through the property. Point out every detail of the storm damage, especially unnoticed items such as lifted shingles or subtle structural compromises. You must not assume that they will see everything and take care of it. 
• The common mistake people often make is signing away their rights. You must not sign any forms that can release the insurer from liability. Read every document carefully to safeguard yourself and your rights.

Step 3: Reviewing the Scope of Loss and Estimate

After the inspection, the adjuster will generate a Scope of Loss. Meaning they will create a detailed description of the damaged items and necessary repairs, along with an initial estimate. 

This is an important moment, and the estimates made by the insurer can frequently be lower than the actual repair costs because they may intentionally or unintentionally: 

• Miss damage, such as a slow roof leak
• Use cheaper materials or methods 
• Fail to include line items for necessary code upgrades or complete tear-offs. 

If your contractor’s bid is higher than the insurer’s estimate, then you must submit the bid along with the documentation that states why there is a scope for adjustment. You must present all the evidence, such as photos showing structural damage that the adjuster missed. This is the most crucial phase: the negotiation phase, which can be most challenging and getting a deserving insurance claim might seem difficult. 

What is the Role of a Professional Public Adjuster in Navigating Your Claim? 

When dealing with complex claims, a low-ball statement or a frustrating denial can be overwhelming; it may drain you out. This is where professional assistance comes into play. You must get in touch with a professional public adjuster who can help you deal with the insurance companies and get the claim you deserve. 

A public adjuster is a licensed and state-regulated insurance claim expert who will work exclusively for you. A public adjuster is not someone who works with insurance companies; they work independently. They get paid a percentage of the final settlement, meaning they will work harder to maximize your payout, to make sure they get more money too. 

 They will offer you the following services to help you out: 

Independent Assessment

They will perform an independent, detailed inspection of your property and prepare a comprehensive, accurate Scope of Loss.

Expert Documentation 

Public adjusters will hire engineers, moisture experts, and even construction consultants to determine the extent and cause of the damage. This is crucial for complex cases like roof collapse. 

Negotiation 

The public adjusters will take care of all the communication process and even the negotiation with the insurance company’s adjusters and attorneys. This is to counter low-ball offers and denials. 

If you are a homeowner facing a complex or denied winter storm claim, then you must secure expert representation from Onyx Adjusting, your go-to public adjusters in Canada.  

Onyx Adjusting: Your Go-To Public Adjusters in Canada

If you’re a homeowner looking for experienced adjusters who understand the intricacies of property damage, you should consider Onyx Adjusting. We specialize in representing policyholders to ensure their claim is properly investigated, documented, and negotiated. They bring years of experience to the table, helping clients secure fair settlements and manage the entire claim lifecycle. Homeowners facing a complex or denied storm damage insurance claim should consider consulting our experts at Onyx Adjusting.