RMIIA News Releases

7951 E. Maplewood Avenue, Suite 110
Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111
Serving Colorado, New Mexico, Utah & Wyoming

Contact:
Carole Walker, Executive Director
303-790-0216 or toll free 800-355-9524

Clean-Up is Underway after Tornadoes, Hail & Heavy Rain Usher in Colorado's Severe Weather Season—Insurance advice for those impacted by this week's storms.

May 22, 2014 – Mother Nature is making her announcement this week: Colorado's severe weather season has arrived. Tuesday kicked things off with hail pounding the eastern plains into parts of Littleton, then as tornado sirens blared early yesterday afternoon, tornadoes touched down near Aurora accompanied by pounding hail and heavy rains that cut a swath from northern Colorado to the Denver Metro area and south through Colorado Springs. Today we brace for round three with more severe weather in this afternoon's forecast.

"Six years ago today Colorado's most devastating tornado touched down in Windsor," says Carole Walker, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association. "Yesterday tornadoes, hail and heavy rain sounded the alarm that we need to be prepared for the unthinkable—check your insurance, so you have what you need when you need it the most."

While the extent of the widespread damage is still being assessed, RMIIA has insurance advice on what's covered and how to file a claim. Homeowners who experienced damage to property and cars should document any damage, take photos, make temporary repairs and contact insurance agents or company representatives. Homeowners insurance covers damage from tornadoes, wind and hail. Property damage resulting from rising water is covered by a separate flood insurance policy. Hail, wind or flood damage to vehicles is covered if you carry comprehensive insurance on your auto policy.

How to file an auto claim:
http://www.rmiia.org/auto/steering_through_your_auto_policy/Filing_an_Auto_Claim.asp

How to file a property claim:
http://www.rmiia.org/homeowners/Walking_Through_Your_Policy/Settlement_Process.asp

Colorado catastrophe statistics:
http://www.rmiia.org/catastrophes_and_statistics/catastrophes.asp

Claims Filing Advice:

Insurance advice for affected residents filing claims for damage.

• Be prepared to give your agent or insurance representative a description of any damage. Your agent will report the loss immediately to your insurance company or a qualified adjuster. Some companies also have 24-hour, 800 numbers for claims assistance.
• Take photos of damage. These will help with your claims process and will assist the adjuster in the investigation.
• Prepare a detailed inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property. Be sure to make two copies—one for yourself and one for the adjuster. Your list should be as complete as possible, including descriptions of the items, dates of purchase or approximate age, cost at time of purchase and estimated replacement cost.
• Make whatever temporary repairs you can. Cover broken windows, damaged roofs and walls to prevent further destruction. Save receipts for supplies and materials you purchase. Your company will reimburse you for reasonable expenses in making temporary repairs.
• Secure a detailed estimate for permanent repairs to your home from a reliable contractor and give it to the adjuster. The estimate should contain the proposed repairs, repair costs and replacement prices.
• Serious losses will be given priority. If your home has been seriously damaged, your agent will do everything possible to assure that you are given priority.

For more consumer information on insurance topics, logon to www.rmiia.org.

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Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association is a non-profit consumer information organization. Affiliated with the Insurance Information Institute, RMIIA has been serving consumers and the media since 1952.