How to handle storm-related insurance claims
by JILL SCHMELZER Reporter

After the Oct. 12 and 13 winter storm ripped through Western New York, many residents suffered property damage from downed trees and power lines, raising questions about insurance claims.

The chief executive officer of National Fire Adjustment Co. Inc, Ronald J. Papa, said people should notify their insurance agents immediately, review copies of their insurance policies and take photographs of damaged areas.

If there was considerable damage amounting to more than $25,000, then the homeowner should also have a licensed public adjuster survey the property damage.

These men and women can be contacted through the National Association of Public Adjusters or the Internet, Papa said.

People have an obligation to protect their property against further damage. Therefore, if a tree fell into a home, the resident has an obligation to have it removed as soon as possible, Papa said, noting that many people are under the erroneous impression they can't touch anything until they have the damage surveyed.

Each insurance policy is different, however, Papa said in most circumstances, the cost is covered in full by the insurance provider because the tree fell onto covered property.

Covered property includes a house, fence, driveway, shed or garage. The cost to remove the object is also usually covered in full, provided the rationale was to avoid any further damage, Papa added. He noted that in most cases, the policy should cover the roof, wall and physical damage to the home, as well as any contents of the house that were destroyed.

If a tree or other object damaged uncovered property such as the lawn, then the policy covers between $500 and $2,500.

If a tree was downed because of an ice or wind storm, which was the case for many residents three weeks ago, the policy would cover the cost to remove the tree but it is damaged due to fire or vandalism.

For more information, visit www.nfa.com or call 689-7700. The Buffalo NFA office is located at One NFA Park in Amherst.

e-mail: JSchmelzer@beenews.com