Damage from Ice Storm - Document Quickly - Contact Insurance Company

Damage from Ice Storm  – Document Damage Quickly – Contact Insurance Company

The Governor has declared a State of Emergency in Pennsylvania. Over 586,000  residents in a five county area have been inconvenienced by the big ice storm that swept through the Northeast Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning leaving them with no power.  For many, it has caused costly damage: falling tree limbs have crashed down on their cars or damaged their homes, power failures have led to huge quantities of spoiled food or frozen pipes, while others have been forced into hotels to keep warm.    

Will insurance pay for any or all of this? Are you covered?  First, contact your insurance agent immediately, and take photos of all damage before attempting to clean-up.

The answer to whether insurance will pay for any or all of the damages incurred as a result of the storm depends on individual policies, but here are some general guidelines:

Damage to homes

Damage to homes from falling trees or ice is generally covered by a homeowner’s policy.  This includes damage caused by flying debris or falling branches or trees, or damage to your home and its contents when water or snow enters through openings caused by high winds.

Many homeowners’ policies have standard deductibles of $500, so you’ll have to figure out if it’s really worthwhile to make a claim if the damage is minor. 

Usually covered by insurance:

• Physical damage to home from falling ice, trees, tree limbs, flying debris.
• Damage to home caused by snow, rain or wind.
• Damage to home and contents from water or snow entering through opening caused by high winds.   

May be covered by insurance:

• Damage to cars and trucks caused by falling ice, falling trees and tree limbs, wind, water, but only if comprehensive or all-perils insurance has been purchased.
• Homeowners who can't live in their homes because of insurable damage may be entitled to additional living expenses (such as hotel bills) in some circumstances.

• If the damage is caused by your neighbor’s tree, you should still contact your insurance company to report the damage.  Again, remember to take photos of any damage prior to any clean-up.  
• A claim for food spoilage or burst water pipes caused by a power failure could also form part of an insurance claim.

• What if a big tree goes down in your yard but doesn’t actually cause any damage? Would you be covered for the cleanup and removal of the tree?  Mostly likely, no.  Insurance usually covers damage to roofs, eaves, fences, windows, porches and outbuildings.  Most often debris removal from your property, will generally be at your own expense.  

• Some residents have chosen to check into a hotel or motel to escape their cold homes and the lack of power.  If you go to a hotel because of insurable damage to your home, or if forced to leave by “official evacuation,” you may be entitled to additional living expenses.

Damage to cars

Damage to cars from flying debris, falling ice, trees, or tree limbs will probably only be covered only if you have comprehensive or all-perils insurance.  Check your policy to see if you have this optional insurance.  The deductibles vary widely. There is a standard deductible, so if the only damage is a broken windshield, it may not be worthwhile to make a claim. And as with home damage, if you can show that the damage to your vehicle was caused by a neighbor’s tree, make certain to advise your insurance agent to see who is ultimately responsible for the claim.

Consult with your insurance agent as soon as possible to make an insurance claim for damages.

For further information about damages sustained by the February 2014 ice storm, please visit the Pennsylvania Insurance Department website.