Community Corner

Tips for Filing Insurance Claims for Damages Caused by Irene

Homeowners and apartment dwellers should follow these steps if their properties were damaged by this weekend's hurricane.

Brooklyn residents filing an insurance claim in the wake of Hurricane Irene should follow several easy steps to be compensated for damages caused by the storm.

Most homeowners' policies cover wind damage caused by hurricanes and tornadoes, while standard auto insurance covers vehicle damage from flooding, according to the New York Insurance Information Institute.

The institute’s tips for filing insurance claims include:

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  • Take photographs of your property to give to your insurance agency and provide a detailed description of all damages. Be sure to include the costs as well as dates of purchase or approximate age of all items.
  • Collect canceled checks, invoices, receipts or other papers to give to the adjuster who will assess the value of the damaged property.
  • Cover broken windows and damaged roofs and walls to prevent further ruin. Save the receipts for supplies and materials you purchase to fix up your home. Your insurance company should reimburse you for most temporary repairs.
  • Get a detailed estimate for repairs to your home from a licensed contractor and give it to your adjuster. This should contain proposed repairs and replacement prices.
  • If your home is severely damaged and you need to relocate while repairs are being made, keep a record of hotel and restaurant receipts to give to your insurance company.

Homeowners who do not have hurricane insurance could qualify for federally subsidized loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration if their property is located in an area that has been declared by the federal government as a disaster.

Many policies do not cover flood damage, so homeowners must purchase a separate flood insurance policy. More information on flood insurance can be found at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website.

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Hurricanes are covered by homeowner insurance policies for most of the major insurance companies, including All State, Geico and State Farm.


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