Pennsylvania Insurance Department Provides Damage Claims Info Following Storm
Following the strong storms, tornadoes and historic flooding in the commonwealth, Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman provided information to home and business owners to help them file insurance claims for damages and tips to avoid repair scams.
Property and business owners should get familiar with their policies or talk with a representative from their insurance company to identify what their policy covers and doesn’t cover, Altman said in a press release issued by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID). Policyholders should also find out what their policy deductible is and any dollar limits on the amount of damage the policy will cover, she said.
The department reminded homeowners that flood damage is not covered by most homeowners’ insurance policies, and a separate flood insurance policy is required to pay for damage caused by flooding.
“Experiencing significant home, property and business damage from a storm can be incredibly difficult, but we want Pennsylvanians to know there are resources available to help them through the process,” Altman said in the release.
The Insurance Department has brochures for homeowners and business owners with information on how to file claims for storm damage. These brochures include tips on what information is needed to file an insurance claim for storm damage, as well as what questions to ask and what to look for to spot a possible repair scam.
Commissioner Altman also advised consumers to be wary of contractors with work vans or trucks that have out-of-state license plates or lack signs or insignias identifying the company name.
“Repairing a home or business after storm damage can be challenging, but following these tips can help Pennsylvanians file claims and lessen their chances of being scammed,” Altman said. “In addition, property and business owners should review their insurance policies annually to make sure they have the appropriate coverage.”
Source: Pennsylvania Insurance Department