Hopefully you can get through this cold blast without damaging your homes or vehicles. If you have to make an insurance claim, read on for expert advice.
Continue to protect your plumbing
At home, continue to protect your plumbing during a freeze. Drip faucets and open cabinets so warmer indoor air reaches the pipes. In freezing weather conditions, plumbing damage becomes more noticeable as temperatures rise and pipes thaw.
If pipes break and damage your home, hold on to the evidence.
“If you have a burst pipe and the plumber cuts that section, save it. You want to show that to the claims adjuster when they come out to do the inspection,” said Ware Wendel of Texas Watch, a consumer advocacy group.
Evidence shows that the damage was caused by a pipe breaking during freezing and not by a gradual leak.
“Sometimes when consumers file claims, the insurance company will come back and say this is wear and tear, this is a lack of maintenance,” Wendel said. “They’re pointing the finger at you and you have to be able to show them that, no, this is a covered claim.”
Your policy may also require you to keep evidence of your losses so the insurance can examine the damage.
“Whether it’s that broken pipe, or that damaged carpet, or whether it’s damaged wood floors or cabinets, make sure you can keep that or at least document it well for your insurance claim. They’re going to want to Take a look at that and investigate it.”
Take photos, videos, and save receipts for temporary repairs you make.
During the claims process, document communication with your insurance company. If you’re speaking on the phone, follow up with an email highlighting what was discussed.
“Start with a record of everyone you talked to from the insurance company: when you called them, what their names were, what they said. You want to document, document, document everything,” Wendel said.
While we’re talking insurance, this is also a good time to take or update your home inventory. You can use your smartphone to record videos in each room. Open drawers and cabinets to document your belongings. Email the video to yourself to save it.
If you have to file a claim after a disaster, you will have a video of the condition of your home and the contents inside. Watch our video on how to do a home inventory here.
Drivers saw slippery spots on the roads
In this part of the extreme cold, slick spots may remain on the roads. If you are involved in a crash and it is safe to do so, write down witness information. If police respond to the scene of an accident, you will need to obtain report information.
“If you’re in any type of accident, keep documenting it. Take pictures, take video,” Johnson said. “Make sure you show the entire scene on video or photos because your insurance company and everyone else’s insurance company will want that information. “
Texas law requires drivers to carry, at a minimum, liability coverage to pay for damage to another person’s property if they cause an accident. However, liability coverage by itself will not pay to repair your car in the event of an accident. The Texas Department of Insurance breaks down the basic types of auto insurance coverage into liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage.
You could also reach coverage limits, especially if your car rolls into multiple cars.
Johnson recalled a case in which a female driver collided with multiple vehicles. “She hit cars as she was going and hit about 10 or 12 cars. The first, you know, three people filed their claims, and they got their claims paid. “And then, it all came out of the pocket of that woman who was driving down the road.”
If you are not sure about your coverage, call your insurance company and ask. Check if your policy covers reimbursement for towing and rental cars.
Texas Watch shares additional information about storm recovery here.
The Texas Department of Insurance lists some frequently asked questions about storm-related claims here. You can call the TDI Consumer Tip Line with questions at 1-800-252-3439.
The Insurance Council of Texas here offers winter weather safety tips, including winter fire prevention.
NBC 5 Responds is committed to investigating your concerns and refunding your money. Our goal is to provide you with answers, solutions, and solutions if possible. Call us at 844-5RESPND (844-573-7763) or fill out our Customer Complaint Form.