How does insurance work with derecho damage?
After the storm damage this week, insurance adjusters are now busy assessing the aftermath.
"It's one of the worst I've seen in my time in Iowa," said Chance McElhaney, with the Iowa Insurance Division.
Unlike floods and tornadoes, a derecho is not something insurance companies deal with every day. The Iowa Insurance Division said your homeowner's policy should cover parts of the damage depending on your deductible. They said to file a claim as soon as possible.
"Whether it be a window that's broken, whether it be a roof that's damaged, whether it be any other type of damage that you see, really the first step is contacting your insurance agent and kind of getting the insurance part of the process started," McElhaney said.
He also suggested taking pictures or video of the damage and to be careful who you hire to fix it.
"You want to make sure you try to get estimates on paper from the contractors that are coming through. Try to get references from the contractors as well. You want them to be reputable," McElhaney said.
This storm also raised questions like who is responsible if your tree falls on your neighbor's home? Claims will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
They also suggest taking a video of your home and belongings in case of a future disaster.
