Will insurance cover Hurricane Beryl damage? Here’s what homeowners, renters should know.

Will insurance cover the tree that crashed into my house? How about the one that’s taken over my yard? Can my fence be replaced?

Best practices for filing an insurance claim

If planning to file a claim, Texas Department of Insurance officials urge you to do so as soon as you’re able. Be sure to:

• Keep a list of everyone you talk to.
• Make a list of damaged property.
• Document the damage and don’t throw things away until you talk to your insurance provider or adjuster.
• Ask about additional living expenses if you can’t live in your home due to the damage or power outages.
• Save proof you paid the deductible on your claim. State law makes it illegal for contractors or roofers to offer to waive a deductible or to promise a rebate for the amount.

Report the damage you sustained to the Texas Division of Emergency Management. State officials say this helps Texas receive more recovery funds from the federal government.

Avoid contractor scams

Scammers frequently try to take advantage of people in the wake of a disaster. To protect yourself against scams, the Texas Department of Insurance offers these tips:

• Get written estimates on company letterhead with clear contact information.
• Get more than one bid to gauge which ones are too high or too good to be true.
• Check references and phone numbers. Beware of contractors who only have out-of-town references or solicit door-to-door.
• Don’t pay in full upfront and don’t make a final payment until the job is done.
• Be sure to read and understand any contracts before signing, and don’t sign a contract with blanks to be filled in later.

The state’s insurance department also has resources on its website for how to get help after a disaster.