Following severe storms that tore through North Georgia Monday, the state insurance commissioner's office Tuesday morning offered these tips on reporting home or car damage claims:
- Contact your insurance agent immediately. Your agent should provide you with claims forms and arrange for an insurance adjuster to visit your property or look at your automobile.
- Take into account that hail damage to your car is typically covered by the comprehensive/collision portion of car insurance, and hail damage to your home is covered by homeowners insurance.
Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
- Secure your property to protect against more damage, and keep receipts of materials used for repairs. Your insurance company will reimburse you for repair costs.
- Consider that a typical homeowners policy does not cover removal of downed trees unless the tree falls on a covered structure, such as the house.
- Insurance companies will generally allow claims adjusters to write checks for additional living expenses to victims on the spot. Contact your agent for details.
- Decide between getting cash back for covered damage to contents or getting a replacement. Most policies provide an option.
For more information, call the insurance commissioner’s consumer services line at 404-656-2070 or 1-800-656-2298. Phone lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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