FLOOD RECOVERY PROCESS BEGINS IN TEXAS—INSURERS OFFER RESOURCES TO HELP RESIDENTS REBUILD
AUSTIN, TX- After massive flooding hit parts of Texas causing damage to homes and businesses, insurers are urging property and business owners to contact their agent or company to begin the recovery process.
If you have flooding damage, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) urges you to follow these six steps:
- Shovel or scrape the mud off your floors, furniture, and walls before the mud dries. Then hose down the walls with clean water, starting from the ceiling.
- Major appliances, such as refrigerators and stoves, can be washed and dried completely. In most cases, they will not be damaged unless they were operating at the time the water covered them.
- Diluted chlorine bleach can be used to clean household items, appliances, walls, and floors. This also will help control odors.
- Wood furniture should be dried outdoors, but not in direct sunlight. Remove drawers and other moving parts before they dry.
- Water and electricity make for a dangerous combination. Take the proper precautions to avoid electric shock.
- Food utensils and equipment should be washed thoroughly and sterilized before you use them. Any food that is open and exposed to flood waters should be discarded.
“Our thoughts are with those who’ve been impacted by another round of torrential rain in the Houston area,” said Joe Woods, PCI’s vice president of state government relations. “Insurers are standing by waiting for emergency officials to give them the ok to get into the field to help those impacted by this weekend’s torrential rain storms causing massive amounts of flooding in the Houston area.”
Tips If You Experienced a Loss:
- Immediately contact your insurance agent or company representative.
- Inspect property and cars for damage.
- Inventory losses and photograph damage, and save related receipts to assist with claims handling.
- Secure property from further damage or theft.
- Check the background and legitimacy of repair contractors. Ask your insurance company for assistance in locating a reputable contractor.
- Keep detailed records of business activity and extra expenses during the interruption period, and prepare records to show the income from the business both before and after the loss.
Woods added, “It’s important to contact your insurer right away. Insurers are there to answer questions and help families and business begin the recovery process. Once you have filed your claim, there are a number of things you can do, such as photograph the damage and make an inventory of what was lost and damaged, to help expedite the recovery process.”
Residents with flood insurance policies through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) can contact either the flood insurance agent or the NFIP directly at (888) 379-9531 or www.floodsmart.gov.
Those whose policy does not cover flood damage, should contact FEMA to learn about resources available to help. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can be contacted at 800-621-3362 or www.fema.gov.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Tips for Filing Your Flood Insurance Claim
http://www.pciaa.net/docs/default-source/default-document-library/tips.pdf?sfvrsn=2
8 tips for cleaning up after a flood
http://www.propertycasualty360.com/2015/06/05/8-tips-for-cleaning-up-after-a-flood?ref=hp-news
BEWARE: Contractor Tips
http://cwsd01a.pciaa.net/docs/default-source/default-document-library/nat_cat_tips_contractorfa184d653dec6c0ea3f2ff0000417e13.pdf?sfvrsn=2
