With schools and many businesses closed for the day you may be at home just waiting for Hurricane Sandy to finally make its way to Lakewood. What can you still do to prepare with the rains already pounding and the winds gusting? Plenty. While you still have electricity this is an important time to review some basic insurance facts. Having this information will save you much time, frustration and money should you need to report a claim. 

1)      Make a Home Inventory:  If you are like most Americans chances are you probably don’t have a complete home inventory. This may be just the afternoon activity that could save you aggravation in the event that you have a claim. While this may not be the time to go room to room writing itemized lists we encourage you to grab your digital camera, camcorder or smartphone and start taking pictures. Try to include as many personal items as possible including seforim, expensive equipment and furniture, and as many items in the basement as you can. Be sure to take snapshots of the inside of closets as well. 

2)      Keep your insurance policies accessible along with the claims reporting numbers. See the attached link from the Insurance Information Institute for a list of many insurance companies. http://www.iii.org/articles/insurance-company-claims-filing-telephone-numbers.html 

3)      Reporting a claim: Here are the steps you should follow in the event of a claim: 

1. Call your insurance company as soon as possible. Get your claim # and the insurance adjusters contact information and store it in a safe place. Make sure to give them at least two ways to contact you.
2. If you need to relocate due to the damages you may be eligible for additional living expenses reimbursement. Speak to your agent or insurance company about this right away.
3. Document your loss – take as many pictures as possible. Keep in mind that when there are many claims an adjuster may not get out to your property for at least several days and sometimes longer. Serious losses will be given priority and hardship cases are usually handled first.
4. As soon as it is safe make temporary repairs to prevent additional damage.  

4)      Know your policy before ordering repairs – Depending on your policy certain types of water damage may be limited or excluded entirely. In addition, you may have special hurricane deductibles that will apply for this storm. When possible, verify with your insurance company before incurring any major out of pocket expenses.

5)      Keep copies of estimates and receipts from all repair work and purchases.

6)      Stay in touch with FEMA- Since a State of Emergency has been declared you may be eligible for some type of disaster assistance. More information will be available over the coming days and weeks at www.fema.gov. 

For some more information on what is covered or not under your policy see this article from the Insurance Information Institute:

http://www.iii.org/press_releases/hurricane-irene-faqs-what-is-covered-or-not-in-your-insurance-policies.html 

Stay safe!  

Avi Wilhelm is the Vice President of The Wilhelm Agency, a full service insurance agency offering both personal and commercial insurance products and services. You can reach him at (732)961-1551 or go to www.wilhelmagency.com.