Print this guide to get you through the next severe storm

41 Action News has compiled a list of tips to help you navigate through the storm recovery process.

From contacting your insurance company and hiring a contractor to gathering documents you will want to keep safe.

We have also compiled a list of items you could grab that will help you during the next storm.

Preparing for the Storm 

Emergency supplies

Insurance

Avoiding scams and fraud

Small business assistance

PREPARING FOR THE STORM

If a severe storm hits your area and your home gets damaged do you know where to find your social security card? How about your marriage license? Here are a list of documents you should have in a safe place.

• Social security cards.
• Insurance policies, including home and vehicle
• Car titles
• Copies of marriage license
• Deeds to property
• Banking information, including all accounts and contact information
• Last year’s tax return
• Medical information including a list of prescriptions, doctors and contact information
• Power of attorney or living will and a list of executor(s)
• If you have a safety deposit box and/or a P.O. Box have a set of spare keys
• List of investments and or retirement information
• Important Jewelry that you don’t wear often
• Other important collectibles you want to keep safe.

It’s a good idea to call your insurance agent once a year and review your policy.

You may want to make changes or add coverage, so make a quick call or send an email to see what changes can or should be made.

A portable fire and water proof safe is a good place to store these items.  If you aren’t interested in purchasing a safe a good place to keep important documents is your refrigerator. Put important documents in a plastic container or even a large plastic bag. Place it in the bottom of the freezer. The cold won’t affect the paper and in the event of a disaster, in most cases the fridge won’t be too heavily damaged and you will be able to get to those documents.

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

Having some simple and easy to store items will also help you out in an emergency.

Here is a list of items that should be kept in your safe area.

• Bottled water. One gallon per person living in the household and try to have enough to last 3 days.
• Nonperishable food items to get you thought at least 24-48 hours. If you have canned food items don’t forget to have a can opener and utensils.
• First aid kit
• A small multipurpose tool
• LED flashlight that is hand cranked or a shake light. If you have a battery powered one keep extra batteries in the emergency supply kit as well.
• Small personal hygiene kit. (Include diapers and wipes if you have a young child or baby.)
• Duct tape
• Emergency radio
• List of emergency contact names and numbers.
• Cash and/or checks stashed in the emergency kit as well
• Extra pair of close toed shoes or boots
• Pet supplies
• Whistle
• Extra blanket, quilt or sleeping bag.

The best place to store these items is in the basement close to or near where you will be seeking shelter in the event of an emergency. If you do not have a basement keep it on the lower level of your house where you will be seeking shelter like an interior room or closet. You will want to be able to get to these supplies quickly, easily and safely. Try to keep all the supplies together is a large plastic container or box.

If you live in a flood prone area these are many of the same supplies you will want to have but keep them on the upper level of your home.

INSURANCE

If you’re a home owner or renter, one of the first calls you need to make after a disaster strikes is to your insurance company.

Many of the larger companies have a designated claims hotline number you can call. If you do not have that number, you can always call your agent.

Claims process

Once you start the claims process, you will probably be assigned a claims adjuster. That person will be your point of contact throughout the recovery process so be sure to get their contact information and keep it handy just in case you have questions in the future.

Most homeowner insurance policies provide coverage to your home and personal property that was damaged due to wind, tornadoes, hail, fire and smoke.

Take photos of the damage to keep for your records. You can also share these photos with your adjuster.

Keep in mind most insurance companies will also offer an emergency advance payment that will cover losses that are considered your emergency needs like food, clothing and shelter.

Personal property claims

If you are a renter you will probably file a personal property claim if your personal property was damaged in the storm. The owner of your property would have to file a separate claim through their insurance to repair the structure itself. If you are concerned about where you can stay while repairs are being done consult with your landlord.

Protect your property 

To prevent further damage and the possibility of looting, try to protect your property as soon as possible.

Use plywood, tarps and other materials to cover areas that were severely damaged like roofs and windows.

Make sure you keep the receipts for these purchases so that your insurance adjuster can review them. In some cases your insurance can reimburse you for those expenses.

Damage to landscape

Unfortunately most policies do not cover damage to trees or shrubs, but if a tree fell on your home and caused damage most insurance policies will pay to have that tree cut up and removed.

Damage from a neighbor's tree

Contact your insurance agent to discuss coverage. Since the cause of the damage, especially during a storm, is considered “an act of nature” your policy would apply so you will have to make a claim with your agent/adjuster to get damage covered.

The reverse is also true, if your tree caused damage to a neighbor’s property their policy would cover damages.

Inspecting the damage

After you have discovered damage and have been in contact with an adjuster they will probably want to come out to your property to inspect the damage.

Make sure you are available to be there when they come out. No one knows your home better than you so make sure you are there and can describe the damage and show them any damage that you have noticed.

Sometimes however, you don’t notice any damage until weeks or even months later. The moment you discover any damage call your insurance company and arrange to meet an adjuster.

Explain to them that the damage was possibly caused by a prior storm, local tornado or any other natural event. They will work with you in repairing the damage much in the same way as if you had called immediately after the storm.

Making repairs

When it’s time to make repairs be sure to research the contractor or repair shop. In most cases you are free to select the contractor or repair shop of your choice but it is always a good idea to choose one that has been in the area for several years and make sure they are insured and bonded. Also get a written guarantee for the work performed.

AVOIDING SCAMS AND FRAUD

When it’s time to start repairing damages follow these simply rules to make sure you are aren’t a victim of a scam.

Be suspicious of contractors who...

• Are in unmarked vehicles or have license plates from out of state.

Sometimes these individuals are “fly-by-night storm chasers” who go door to door offering clean-up work immediately after a disaster has struck an area. Many times these people will use “high-pressure” sales tactics and often times will demand an upfront payment, leave and never come back to complete the work.

Ask for insurance and licensing information up front. Also ask for an identification card. If you have the ability, you can also check the business on the Better Business Bureau website or through your states Attorney General’s office.

• Do not have a physical address.

P.O. Boxes are easily obtained and hard to trace if you need to track them down in the future you could have a hard time if they only have a P.O. Box.

Things to keep in mind:

• Use the referral program

Try to hire known, local and recommended repair companies. You can also ask trusted friends and family for a company they have used and were happy with.

• Shop around

Get at least two estimates from different companies. Three-five estimates is a good rule of thumb.

Some companies may notice damage that another company didn’t so getting several different estimates helps you determine what damage is done and also lets you see the price range in which it will cost to fix.

• Get agreements in writing

Always get agreements in writing. A written contract spelling out everything they are expected to repair should be listed and if possible have the company write out a short synopsis on how they plan on fixing or repairing the damage.

Always review the agreement and ask questions if you don’t understand something or see something added or omitted that you didn’t discuss or agree too.

Make sure you get a copy of the agreement and that it has been signed by both you and a representative of the company.

• Never make full payments until the terms of the contract are met

Some companies may ask for a deposit to cover the cost of supplies before starting the work, if you chose to make that initial partial payment make sure that the amount paid and what it covers is written out in the contract.

SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

If you have a small business that was impacted by the storms, Missouri State Treasurer Eric Schmitt activated a disaster relief program for small businesses.

This low interest loan program is designed to provide relief for small business owners who need to quickly secure financing for rebuilding, retaining jobs, and help keep businesses going while repairs are being make.