I returned home and found my home damaged by a storm, what steps do I take?
First, call your insurance company and make a claim. Be sure you note your claim number as it will become the number in which you refer to throughout the claims process. Second, document all damages to your home or business by taking the following steps:

• Take photographs of all damaged property.
• Make a list of all contents damaged, your insurer will request this as part of the claims process.
• Save all receipts relating to the repairs to your home or business.
• If you evacuated, save all your receipts relating to the evacuation, including food, gas, medical and lodging expenses.

My insurer has sent an adjuster to my home or business and I have I just received their damage report. Could you explain the different coverages?
Insurance policies differ from policy to policy and person to person. In a typical Homeowners Insurance policy you can expect to see several different coverage types which include the following general categories. (Please be aware that your coverage is determined by your specific policy and all items below MAY NOT be included the coverage provided by your policy.):

• STRUCTURE: This includes the structure of your home, and typically covers things such as your walls, floors, cabinets, and roof.
• OTHER STRUCTURES: This includes structures not attached to your house, it may (or may not) also include your detached garage or carport and outside home improvements, fences, and sheds.
• CONTENTS: This portion of your policy covers personal property contained within your home. Some examples would include furniture, clothing, electronics and jewelry.
• ADDITIONAL LIVING/EXTRA EXPENSES: This covers expenses you incur from being away from your home. It includes necessary and reasonable costs of temporary lodging, transportation cost, fuel, and meals.
• LOSS OF RENTS: This coverage is found most often in specific policies held by Landlords. It covers what a landlord could have been expected to capture in rent had the covered loss not occurred.
• OTHER COVERAGES: There may be provisions for other coverage such as Food Spoilage, Debris Removal, and Code Upgrades.

TYPICAL COMMERCIAL POLICY may also include some of the above in addition to coverage specific to the business. These could include, for example:

• BUSINESS INTERRUPTION: This generally covers the income (less expenses) the business would have generated had the covered loss not occurred.
• DATA RECOVERY: This typically includes the costs to recreate or rebuild data lost due to a covered event.

My insurance company offered me a supplemental payment for my damages, can I accept the payment and still file suit if I do not agree with their estimate?
In most cases yes, the insurance carrier is required to pay you the amount they determine is due you WITHOUT you having to sign a release. You may cash the payment provided to you by the insurance company and if you are still not satisfied with the amount paid, you may claim more.

However, if you are asked to sign a release, you should not so without consulting an attorney. Also, carefully read the check given to you by your insurance carrier. If it contains language such as "Full and Final Payment", you should consult with an attorney before cashing the check.

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