Need to make a weather-related claim? Here are some tips

The weather has been pretty unpredictable lately, and many people have found themselves in dire straits, dealing with damages caused by flooding and wind. This is where having the right cover really comes in handy, but it can be tough to deal with the added stress of making a claim. To help you out, we’ve put together some tips for making a weather-related insurance claim.

Make sure you’re safe

The safety of you and your family takes absolute priority in any weather event. Regardless of what’s damaged, if you need to evacuate, move to a safe location. Be sure to take any essentials with you and only return to take stock of any damage when it’s safe to do so.

Catalogue your damaged items

When you can safely return to your property, begin by making a list of all of the items that are damaged. Note down as many details as you can, such as the brand, the make/model, and if you have receipts for the items, collect them all together.

Take photos of the damage

Along with listing the damaged items, it’s also a very good idea to take photos to accompany the list as well. Take photos of the item and any damage that has been done, zooming in to capture any pertinent details where necessary.

Don’t throw things away

Even if there’s damage beyond repair to your items or your property, avoid throwing anything away before an insurance assessor has a chance to look them over. If you need to, you can stack them together in a pile, but do so carefully and make sure you wear protective clothing and equipment when handling damaged items.

Treat all flood water as contaminated

If you’ve experienced loss or damages from flooding, be careful when it comes to handling anything that’s been soaked by flood waters entering your home. Treat anything that’s been in contact with water as contaminated and take extra safety precautions.

Don’t try to drive your car

If your car has been submerged in flood water, don’t try to start or drive it, even if it seems fine and the water has dried. You never know what may have made its way into the engine or electronics, so to be on the safe side, have it towed to your nearest mechanic for an assessment.

Stay safe out there everyone!

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