MACON, Ga. — Following the damage Tropical Storm Helene left in its path, one of the top trending searches online right now has been people asking what to do regarding storm damage to their homes or cars.
If you need to make an insurance claim, what do you need to know?
Whether you use Progressive, Allstate, Federal, Liberty Mutual or anyone else, State Farm agent Mike Martinek sat down with 13WMAZ and answered commonly asked questions regarding possible insurance claims.
WMAZ: If I had a tree damage my car or home, what do I need to do?
Martinek: The first thing to do is take a lot of photos before you proceed. [When] proceeding, take the tree off the car or the house and mitigate the loss by covering it with a tarp or properly restored until you can submit the claim with your company.
WMAZ: Is there any paperwork I might need?
Martinek: As you take care of removing the tree or (other) things, taking care of the receipts for the cost of (the damages) is super important. So the photographs, any receipts of any money that you spend to do that probably will do towards your deductible.
WMAZ: Should I put the tarp on my roof or remove a tree before an agent or adjuster arrives?
Martinek: Yes, we want people to go ahead and take care of that upfront before a claim rep comes. When we have a catastrophe like we've had, it's gonna take a minute for the people on the ground to get there to look at it, so we want people to remove the tree, keep the receipts and then wait for the adjuster to come from there.
WMAZ: What else should people know?
Martinek: If they have any damage, just to mitigate the loss. The best that they can meaning to protect the property, keep the receipts like we've talked about and be patient. When it's a catastrophe of this magnitude. It does take just a little bit of time for the companies to respond. Everybody wants it done now, but patience is a virtue when it comes to these situations.
WMAZ: Anything else that people could benefit from?
Martinek: Contact your agent. There are multiple ways to make a claim these days both online, through the app (or) through your agent calling the company directly. Just use any resource that you can to file the claim. The sooner you file the claim, you're kinda in line for them to come and take a look at your property that may move it along faster.
WMAZ: I know some policies have certain limitations. Some have called us before as they got in trouble with tree removal and being limited on what their policy would do with trees. Any advice on who to work with specifically?
Martinek: It's important to be cautious about who you let do the work. Using local providers, I think is a good idea. Reputable ones that are insured and bonded so that you know who you're doing business with.
