11 Tips to Get a Fair Settlement for Your Tornado Damage Insurance Claim

Whatever the reason, we want to help. Here are our best tips for getting a fair payout for your tornado damage insurance claim:

Take Photos & Videos of Everything

The first and most obvious tip is to document the damage as much as possible.

Take photos and videos of the inside and outside of your home. Survey your entire property to find any additional damage – like damages to sheds, outbuildings, and other property – that may have occurred.

You won’t need all of the photos or videos. However, a single photo or video could change your claim – and you only have a limited time frame after a tornado to collect visual evidence.

Secure Your Property

Once safe to do so, secure your property. Take steps like:

• Board up broken windows and doors
• Cover holes in the ceiling with tarps or other protective materials
• Prevent access to your property to deter thieves or looters

Keep receipts for any expenses you incur as a result of this cleanup. Your insurer could compensate you for the equipment you purchased along with hours worked.

Your policy requires you to take steps to protect your property. If you fail to take these steps, your insurer could deny or reduce your claim.

Note: If your home is not salvageable, then you are not obligated to make temporary repairs. You don’t need to board up the front door of your home if most of the structure has disappeared, for example.

Create a Home Inventory List

Create a list of damaged property around your home.

Ideally, you already have a home inventory and can easily reference that inventory after a major loss. If you’re like most homeowners, however, you’ll create an inventory from scratch.

Start with the most valuable items and end with the smallest items in your home. Nothing is too small to add to your inventory: homeowners insurance covers all standard property, from your $2,000 TV to your $5 toothbrush holder.

If you’re overwhelmed creating an inventory, consider contacting a public adjuster. Public adjusters know how to create an inventory and maximize the compensation you receive from your insurer.

Contact your Insurer ASAP

If a tornado has struck many properties in your region, your insurer may be inundated with calls in the near future. Try to be first in line by contacting your insurer ASAP. The sooner you begin your claim and receive a claim number, the faster your claim will get settled.

Ask for Emergency Funds to Cover Additional Living Expenses

Homeowners insurance policies cover additional living expenses, or ALE. Your insurance company’s adjuster may authorize the release of certain emergency funds after a tornado to cover immediate costs – like the cost of getting a hotel or dining out for a few nights while your home undergoes repairs.

Your insurance policy may require your insurer to cover the cost of renting a dwelling the approximate size of your home, for example, until your home is repaired following a tornado.

If your house is unlivable, ask your adjuster for emergency funds. Keep track of all expenses, as your insurer could compensate you for everything. This includes gas to and from your home to your temporary living quarters.

Avoid Destroying or Removing Damaged Structural Components Until the Claim is Settled

If you have a total loss insurance claim after a tornado, then you should avoid destroying or removing damaged structures until the claim is complete.

It may make sense to start the cleanup process as soon as possible. However, insurers want as much evidence as possible before making their decision. Don’t let anyone demolish or remove damaged structures until your insurer has confirmed the damage and given you the okay to do so. Do not pile up your debris on the curb for collection until everything has been properly documented.

Communicate with Your Insurance Company in Writing or Record Calls, If Possible

A successful tornado damage insurance claim could be the difference between receiving tens of thousands of dollars’ in compensation – or zero compensation for your insurance claim.

In some cases, it comes down to one party’s word versus the others. The insurer may have promised something upfront, for example, and then failed to deliver on that promise.

It’s important to have as much evidence as possible of all communication with your insurance company.

Tips for tracking communication with your insurance company include:

• Ask important questions to your insurance company in writing – say, via email – to ensure there’s a clear track record.
• Consider recording phone calls (check if your state allows one-party consent for recording, or ask your insurer for permission to record).
• After a phone call, immediately send an email to your insurance company recapping the conversation and ask them to reply if anything was incorrect or misunderstood.

If you don’t want to record phone calls, keep a spreadsheet noting the conversation date, time, and topic of discussion for future reference.

Avoid Throwing Away Other Home Inventory

For similar reasons, you should avoid throwing away clothing and other possessions before the inventory is complete.

Make sure every damaged item is photographed and the insurer has approved coverage in writing before throwing items away.

Shop Around for Local Contractors – But Be Wary of Unlicensed “Tornado Chasers”

After a tornado strikes a region, contractors could travel to the area to seek business.

There’s nothing wrong with traveling to an area that needs your business. However, tornados could attract unlicensed and uninsured contractors to the area who seek to make a quick profit from unwary homeowners.

Shop around for local contractors. Ask for references and local reviews. Check licensing and verify insurance. Be wary of contractors who go door-to-door or offer to manage your insurance policy on your behalf.

Check for Federal Disaster Relief Resources

After a serious tornado or other storm event, your area may be considered a federal disaster area, which means you may qualify for some government assistance.

The federal government, via FEMA, may grant a Small Business Administration disaster loan, for example, even if you don’t own a business. Or, FEMA could provide tax breaks for uninsured casualty losses.

Check DisasterAssistance.gov or visit a nearby FEMA recovery center to check if you qualify for federal assistance.

Consider Hiring a Public Adjuster for Expert Tornado Claim Handling

A tornado can destroy your home and your financial future – especially if you mismanage a claim.

Many homeowners hire a public adjuster after a serious tornado damage claim. Public adjusters can manage your claim from start to finish, negotiate with the insurer on your behalf for higher compensation, and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your insurance claim.

Contact ClaimsMate for a no-cost consultation with a public adjuster specializing in tornado damage insurance claims.

Stephanie Corona

Stephanie is a property insurance claim expert with over 20 years of experience working as an insurance adjuster, expert witness, appraiser and umpire. She is passionate about sharing her expertise, knowledge, tips and training to help both property owners and Public Adjusters in their pursuit of effectively managing claims and recovering the claim settlement they deserve after a loss.