SPECIAL REPORT: Post-flood tips

It’s one thing to prepare for a disaster to mitigate damage, but what should policyholders do if the damage is already done? The Association of California Insurance Companies offered the following tips – that can be shared with customers – for victims of the recent California storms.

•Call your insurance agent as soon as possible to report your loss. It will be helpful to have the following information when you place the call: (1) the name of your insurance company; (2) the policy number; and (3) a telephone number/e-mail address where you can be reached.

• Take photos. An insurance adjuster will need to see what’s been damaged to process the claim. Take photos of any water in the house and damaged personal property.

• Separate damaged items from undamaged items. Protect undamaged items from further damage, and, if necessary, place items outside the home.

• If disposal of damaged items is necessary, keep a sample. If you must dispose of items, keep a swatch or other sample of the damage (i.e.: cut swatches from carpeting, curtains, chairs) for the adjuster.

• Make a list of damaged or lost items, and include the age and value when possible. If possible, have receipts for those items available for the adjuster.

• Work with the adjuster. The adjuster will work with the policyholder to calculate the value of the damage sustained and prepare a repair estimate.

• Provide any damage estimates prepared by a contractor(s) to the adjuster because they will be considered in the preparation of the repair estimate.

Self help

There are additional things individuals can do to minimize the damage:

• Shovel or scrape the mud off floors, furniture and walls before the mud dries. Then, hose down the walls with clean water, starting from the ceiling.

• Major appliances such as refrigerators and stoves can be washed and dried completely. In most cases, the appliances will not be damaged unless they were operating at the time the water covered them.

• Diluted chlorine bleach can be used to clean household items, appliances, walls and floors. That also will help control odors.

• Wood furniture should be dried outdoors, but not in direct sunlight. Remove drawers and moving parts before they dry.

Assessments Underway in Idaho

At the request of Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, federal and state officials are conducting preliminary damage assessments (PDA) in Owyhee County, Idaho, to assess damage from flooding caused by heavy rains and snow that began Dec. 31, 2005. Flood waters rendered three major roads impassable, and flooded roadways and property.

According to Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security (IBHS) Director Bill Bishop, a PDA team including Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and IBHS representatives are scheduled to begin examining the county on Jan. 17, 2006.

Topics Flood