Protecting Your Insurance Claim Rights After a Storm in Iowa

Homeowners in Marshalltown, Iowa, have been warned to review their insurance policies as the region faces hail threats following years of significant storm damage. Tim Ford, a central Iowa insurance agent, stated that protecting claim rights is one of the most critical steps for residents to take after a storm event.

The warning comes as residents navigate the aftermath of severe weather patterns, including wind and hail, which can lead to costly damage to roofing and siding.

Navigating the Insurance Claims Process

For those impacted by severe weather, the initial step in the recovery process is contacting the insurance provider to determine which types of damage are covered, the expected processing time for the claim, and whether the policyholder must obtain independent repair estimates.

Property owners are advised to make temporary repairs to prevent further damage to their assets. However, extensive permanent repairs should be delayed until a claims adjuster, a professional trained to assess damage, has visited the site and completed an assessment.

Detailed documentation is essential for the settlement of a claim. Recommended practices include:

• Creating an inventory of damaged or destroyed items, including descriptions, approximate purchase dates, and replacement costs.
• Taking photographs or videos of the damage.
• Saving all receipts for expenses incurred during temporary repairs.
• Retaining damaged items until they have been inspected by an adjuster.

Legal Rights and Professional Assistance

Iowa Legal Aid advises policyholders to request the reasons for any insurance company decisions in writing. If a dispute arises regarding the payment of a claim, consulting a lawyer is recommended.

Under most insurance policies, homeowners have only one year from the date of the damage to bring a legal suit against an insurance company for failure to pay a claim.

Homeowners may also utilize public adjusters to assist with their claims. These professionals are tasked with estimating the damage to the home and property, reviewing the existing insurance coverage, and negotiating the settlement of the claim on behalf of the policyholder.

Regulatory Resources and Scam Alerts

The Iowa Insurance Division provides a comprehensive post-disaster insurance claims guide to assist residents in the recovery process. For specific types of disasters, such as flooding, insurance is administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) via the federal National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

The state has also issued alerts regarding post-disaster scams, noting that fraudsters and scam artists often arrive quickly following a disaster. Residents are encouraged to be vigilant and use official resources to verify service providers.

Concerns regarding insurance fraud or claims can be directed to the Insurance Fraud Bureau or the Market Regulation Bureau. The Iowa Insurance Division also provides guidance for contractors and public adjusters to prevent the unauthorized practice of public adjusting.

Additional disaster recovery assistance is available through the Disaster Recovery Temporary Housing Program (DRTHP), the Iowa Community Action Association, and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management.