Following the weekend nor’easter, the New York State Insurance Department has activated its Disaster Hotline – 1-800-339-1759 – to assist consumers with insurance questions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Consumers can consult the Insurance Department’s web site, www.ins.state.ny.us, to obtain information on property and automobile insurance, or to file complaints in the event they have disputes with their insurance companies.
Here are some tips and guidelines:
• Damage caused to homes, garages or fences caused by trees toppled by wind should be covered under homeowners’ policies. However, there is no coverage for tree removal if the fallen tree caused no property damage. If a healthy tree on your property damages someone else’s property, the other person’s insurance should cover damages, provided there is no negligence on your part.
• Interior water damage is normally covered if the exterior first suffers a covered loss such as wind blowing out a window or damaging the roof. Water leaking through the roof is usually not covered.
• Insurance normally covers losses from a power outage caused by damage to power lines that are located on your own property.
• When filing claims, consumers are urged to have copies of all their insurance policies readily available, including homeowners, renters, flood, automobile and business insurance.
• Keep a list of the names of the insurance company personnel you speak with when filing a claim and keep a detailed record of what they told you and when.
• Take video or still photos of damaged property to document the extent of damage.
• Make property repairs to prevent damage from worsening, but do not make permanent repairs until after your property is inspected by your insurer because permanent repairs could affect the amount of your claim.
The Insurance Department’s online “Homeowners Resource Center” offers detailed information and a number of useful tools consumers may find helpful. It can be found on the Insurance Department’s web site, www.ins.state.ny.us.
