​Your first instinct may be to clean up, but it is important to have an accurate account of all damage for your insurance company when you file a claim. Before removing any debris or belongings, document all losses. Take photos or video and make a list of the damages and lost items. If possible, save damaged items so your insurer can inspect, if necessary.
After thoroughly documenting damage, take reasonable steps to avoid further destruction to your home or belongings. Policies call this mitigation. Make temporary repairs, such as covering a hole in your roof or boarding up broken windows. Insurance will typically reimburse the cost of these repairs as part of your claim, assuming the loss was covered. Your company may also reimburse you if you need to find temporary lodging or storage for your possessions. Keep a record of all receipts.
Be cautious about signing an Assignment of Benefits

• You have just experienced significant storm damage to your property, and you need to be careful not to sign over your benefits. Some contractors may ask for permission to speak on your behalf with your insurance company. Before you sign, read the fine print. Otherwise, you may inadvertently sign over your benefits and any extra money allowed to you after your claim.
• An Assignment of Benefits, or an AOB, is a document signed by a policyholder that allows a third party—such as a water extraction company, a roofer or a plumber—to "stand in the shoes" of the insured and seek direct payment from the insurance company. Once it is signed, any rights or benefits of the policy will go to that third party. So, if it costs $2,000 to repair your roof and your claim is more than that, technically that third party is entitled to the rest of that money.
• You are not required to sign an AOB to have repairs completed. You can file a claim directly with your insurance company, which allows you to maintain control of the rights and benefits provided by your policy in resolving the claim.

Before the Storm, schedule an annual checkup on your insurance needs with our agency. You’ll be glad you did!

Your auto and home or renters insurance is there to protect you in the event of an accident — but are you sure you have enough liability coverage? 
Adding an umbrella policy, which goes above and beyond existing policies, could be a smart decision.  
Learn more about an umbrella policy, including examples of when you might need one and how to get started. 
What is umbrella insurance?
Umbrella insurance provides extra liability protection on top of what your automobile, homeowners or renters policy covers.  
For example, if someone sues you for a covered event and the loss exceeds your policy’s liability limit, your umbrella policy can cover those extra expenses. 
What does umbrella insurance cover?
Here’s another example: You’re driving home when a cyclist swerves out of the bike lane — and you can’t react fast enough to avoid hitting them. 
The cyclist sustains injuries and sues for medical expenses and lost wages. Unfortunately, your auto insurance policy maxes out in liability coverage, and the cyclist is seeking payment. Fortunately, you have an umbrella policy, so you don’t have to worry.  
Not only will an umbrella policy help in a situation like this,  you’ll have the same benefits if someone is injured while visiting your home. 
Who needs umbrella insurance?
Umbrella insurance can be a valuable tool if you have assets to protect. 
It can also provide quite a bit of coverage relative to the price, because you may need to carry the maximum liability coverage available for your auto, homeowners or renters policy before you can purchase an umbrella policy. 
​Get in touch with our today to discuss adding an umbrella policy or anything else.