What Savannah-area homeowners and renters should know after Tropical Storm Idalia

Tropical Storm Idalia has come and gone, making its way across Florida and coastal Georgia on Wednesday with heavy rain and strong winds. In the aftermath of Idalia, and tropical storms to come, here are a few things homeowners and renters can do to protect themselves and their property.

What to do after the storm:

Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King and Tim Blanco, a partner at Chatham Insurance Partners have a number of tips for Georgians to protect themselves after a storm.

• Notify insurance companies of any damages immediately.
• Don't try to attempt to fix significant or permanent repairs, and only when it is safe to do so, cover roofs with a tarp or board up broken windows but leave significant repairs to experts.
• If it is possible to do it safely in the moment, document what the damage was and how it started.
• Be wary of contractor scammers who say they are supported by the government. The Federal Emergency Management Agency does not individual contractors or loan companies, according to King.
• Contact your insurance agent to get estimates for repairs and figure out if it's financially beneficial for you to file a claim if it's small.

Will my insurance pay for tree damage, removal?:

Homeowners should check with their agents on small claims, including with fallen or downed trees that don't hit any property, according to Bronco.

• Downed trees are usually limited to a payment of $500, and chances are your insurance premium over the next three years would increase by filing that claim.
• However, if a tree does fall on your house, the cost to remove the tree and any debris is included in the homeowner's insurance, including if it's a neighbors tree.

Does my homeowner’s insurance cover flooding?:

Homeowners policies are usually going to be HO-3, the most common homeowner's insurance, and usually covers fire, lightning, explosion, wind and hail, but not flooding. Blanco would recommend getting flood insurance even if you have a home that's not in a federal flood zone.

• About 30% of floods annually are not in flood hazard zones, so if you don't have flood insurance you would not be covered for any kind of rising water.
• If your roof was penetrated or pierced, or your windows are damaged, and water enters your home that is covered by standard homeowner's insurance.
• Flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period, so buy flood insurance well before storm season approaches.

What if I rent?:

• Renters are only responsible for their own belongings, and the landlord is responsible for the building.
• A good renter's policy, an HO-4, will pay for the renter to live somewhere else, if the apartment or home is damaged during the storm. It will also cover your belongings if you have purchased an adequate limit.

What about my car?:

• If you have comprehensive coverage on your car then, subject to your deductible, any damage from a hurricane would be covered underneath that policy, including damage from a flood.

How can I be better prepared going forward?:

• Before the storm, make a list of all covered items ((furniture, electronics, appliances, valuables, etc.) and keep an electronic copy of this list, with pictures and keep it backed up, according to King.
• Talk to your insurance agent once a year, understand your coverages and make decisions well ahead of storm season.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: What Savannah-area homeowners and renters should know after Tropical Storm Idalia