In wake of damaging storms, heavy rain, here’s what you need know about assessing damage

With the remnants of Hurricane Helene delivering strong winds and flooding to much of Kentucky, AAA is offering tips for those who sustain storm damage to their home or vehicle.

“Flooded roadways are expected to be a risk in many areas,” says Lori Weaver Hawkins, public affairs manager, AAA Blue Grass. “Motorists are cautioned that standing water may not be as shallow as it appears.”

She adds that as little as 6 inches of water can cause drivers to lose control and potentially stall engines. “Never attempt to drive through flooded roads,” Weaver Hawkins reminds. “Turn around, don’t drown. Find another route. Not only can water be deeper than it appears, it can also hide debris, potholes and downed power lines.”

Steps to take after storm damage

Strong winds and flooding have the potential for causing damage to vehicles and homes. AAA offers these tips on assessing damage, filing claims, and understanding who is responsible when it comes to storm damage:

Vehicle Damage: What is Covered?

• Physical damage to a vehicle caused by heavy wind, hail, or fallen tree limbs is covered under the optional comprehensive portion of an auto policy. However, if you have basic liability or collision coverage only, then your vehicle is not covered from storm damage.

• That means if your car is damaged by a fallen tree or limbs, you would need to file a claim using your vehicle policy’s comprehensive coverage.

• Take photographs of any visible damage and contact your insurance company as soon as possible.

• Any vehicle sustaining flood damage should be fully inspected before being allowed back on the road. Mechanical components, computer systems, engine, transmission, axles, brake system and fuel system impacted by water contamination may render the vehicle unfit to drive. In many cases, vehicles sustaining significant water damage will be determined to be a total loss by your insurer.

Home Damage: What is Covered?

• If your tree falls on your house, your insurance will cover removal of the tree and home repairs due to damage. If your tree falls on your neighbor’s house, your neighbor’s homeowner’s policy would provide insurance coverage. The same holds true if your neighbor’s tree falls on your home; you would file a claim with your own insurance company.

• If a tree falls in your yard, but doesn’t hit anything, you would pay for its removal in most cases. This would not be covered by your home insurance policy.

• PLEASE NOTE: If a tree on your property is weak, damaged, or decayed, but you do nothing about it, and it crashes down on a neighbor’s home (or vehicle) during a storm or at any time, you could be held liable for damages if it can be proven you were aware of the tree’s condition but took no action.

• Wind-related damage to a house, its roof, its contents and other insured structures on the property is covered under standard homeowner insurance policies.

• Wind-driven rain that causes an opening in the roof or wall and enters through this opening is covered under standard homeowner insurance policies. Water that seeps into a home from the ground up is considered flooding and would be covered by flood insurance, which is provided by the National Flood Insurance Program and a few private insurers. Flood insurance is available to both homeowners and renters. Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies.

• Damage to a house and its contents caused by a collapse is covered under standard homeowner insurance policies.

• Homeowner insurance policies also include additional living expenses. In the event a home is severely damaged by an insured disaster, this would pay for reasonable expenses incurred by living elsewhere while the home is being fixed or rebuilt

Assessing Damage, Avoiding Hazards and Filing a Claim

For homeowners who experienced damage to cars, homes or property, AAA recommends these tips to help the claims process go smoothly:

• Take appropriate immediate and temporary measures to prevent further damage. If you do make minor repairs before an insurance adjuster arrives, save receipts to submit for reimbursement.

• Phone your insurance agent or company immediately. Be prepared ahead of time with a list of questions to ask: Am I covered? Does my claim exceed my deductible? How long will it take to process my claim? Will I need to obtain estimates for repairs to structural damage?

• If your home is damaged to the extent you cannot live there, find out if you have coverage for additional living expenses for accommodations while repairs are completed. If you do stay at a hotel, keep your receipts for reimbursement.

• Schedule a time for an adjuster to inspect the damage to your property. Be present when the adjuster conducts their inspection.

• Get claim forms. Insurance companies will send required claim forms by a specified time period. Be sure to completely fill out the form and return promptly to avoid delays.

• Prepare a list of lost or damaged articles. Avoid throwing out damaged items until the adjuster has visited. However, remove contaminated items from inside the home and be aware of exposure to mold if you have flood damage. Take photos and/or video of the damage. Store undamaged property in a protected place, if possible.

• Cover broken windows and other holes to prevent further damage.

• If carpet is soaked, remove the carpet and the carpet pad. Keep a two-foot square piece for the claims adjuster.

• Once inspected by the claims adjuster, carpeting, mattresses, and upholstered furniture should be disposed of or cleaned and disinfected by a professional.

• Look for hazards, such as broken or leaking gas lines, flooded electrical circuits, submerged furnaces or electrical appliances and damaged sewage systems.

• Proceed with extreme caution as you inspect your basement. There may be hazards from electrical lines and heating units. If your basement has water in it, do not pump it out all at once. Remove about one-third of the water per day. The wet ground surrounding your basement may cause the floors to buckle and the walls to collapse if you attempt to move all the water at one time.

• If your home was not only damaged by wind, but took on rain, test drywall for moisture softness. If soft, cut holes at the base to help it dry out. If possible, run AC, dehumidifier and fans constantly. Open cabinet doors and elevate furniture where possible, allowing air to circulate. Save wet books or photo albums by placing them on their edge inside a frost-free freezer.

• If power is out, disconnect all computers and appliances from electrical sources.

AAA Blue Grass

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