Media Contact:
Vincent Plymell
vincent.plymell@state.co.us
Be prepared for severe weather this season with these tips from the Colorado Division of Insurance.
With Monday’s tornado near Mead, we know that we’ve now entered the wild summer weather season here in Colorado. And while the damage it caused was not widespread, it serves as a reminder that these weather events - hail, severe thunderstorms, flooding and tornadoes - can easily and quickly cause severe damage to property. They can even cause indirect damage, as downed power lines can start fires.
The Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) offers this advice about what people can do to be prepared when it comes to insurance and wild summer weather.
Three tips to be prepared for severe weather this summer
- Become familiar with your homeowners insurance policy - Know what’s in your policy. Ask your company or agent if there is anything you don’t understand. Also, review your policy and coverage limits annually to make sure the policy keeps pace with your needs and construction costs in your area. The worst time to figure all of this out is when you need to file a claim, especially if you’re dealing with major damage.
- Consider Buying Flood Insurance - Now is the time to consider flood insurance, as there is a 30-day waiting period before it becomes effective. Many homeowners do not realize that flood insurance must be purchased as a separate policy. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a program available to any property owner whether or not the property is in a floodplain. If you do not have an agent or your agent does not sell flood insurance, contact the NFIP at 877-336-2627 or go to floodsmart.gov to get the name of an agent in your area. For more information, visit the Colorado Division of Insurance flood insurance website. This is critical for people who live near a burn scar caused by any of the wildfires in recent years, as these areas are especially vulnerable to flooding.
- Create a Home Inventory - Before any disaster strikes, consumers should recognize the value in creating a home inventory. There are many tools and applications available online to help you create a home inventory using your smartphone or tablet. It’s easier to create this now, rather than trying to remember everything after a disaster.
If you do suffer weather-related damage this summer, here are some tips on handling insurance claims in the aftermath of a storm.
Tips for dealing with storm damage and insurance
- Start the claim process - Call your insurance company or agent and begin the claim process. Contact the DOI if you need the contact information for your company or agent.
- Document / mitigate the damage - If the damage to your home is extensive, start taking photos of the property and documenting what was lost. If the damage is repairable, mitigate further damage by placing tarps on roofs or boarding up windows.
- Ask questions - After you file your claim, your insurance company will send a claims adjuster to your home to assess the damage at no cost to you. Once the adjuster has completed their assessment, they will provide documentation of the loss to your insurance company to determine your claims settlement. Be sure to ask the claims adjuster for an itemized explanation of the claim settlement offer. If there is a disagreement about the claim settlement, ask the company for the specific language in the policy that is in the question. If this disagreement results in a claim denial, make sure you obtain a written letter explaining the reason for the denial and the specific policy language under which the claim is being denied.
- Don't rush into a settlement - If the first offer made by an insurance company does not meet your expectations, be prepared to negotiate to get a fair settlement. If you have any questions regarding the fairness of your settlement, seek professional advice.
- Contact the DOI – While claims need to be filed with the insurance companies, the DOI can assist consumers with questions about insurance and the claims process. Call the Division at 303-894-7490 / 800-930-3745 (outside of the Denver metro area) or email us at DORA_Insurance@state.co.us.
Visit our the Division’s website “Are You Disaster Ready?” for more information about how you can be better prepared for disasters and severe weather events.
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About the Division of Insurance:
The Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), regulates the insurance industry and assists consumers and other stakeholders with insurance issues. Visit doi.colorado.gov for more information or call 303-894-7499 / toll free 800-930-3745.
About DORA:
DORA is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment in Colorado. Consumer protection is our mission. Visit dora.colorado.gov for more information or call 303-894-7855 / toll free 800-886-7675.