Poolman Advises Consumers in Wake of Coleharbor Storm Posted on 7/17/2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cecily Fong
July 17, 2006
701-328-2440
Bismarck, ND - Commissioner Jim Poolman today extends his concern to those affected by the storm in Coleharbor and advises them to keep insurance coverage in mind as they clean up after the storm. He has already asked insurance companies to work with residents in an expeditious manner to resolve claims. Poolman suggests following a few simple steps:
Make necessary emergency repairs to prevent any further damages. Covering a broken window on homes or cars, for example, can prevent damage to carpets, curtains and upholstery. Remember to keep receipts and records of any repair you make to prevent further damage.
Determine if the damage is severe and requires immediate repair, or if the repair can wait until after your company assesses the damage. If the damage requires immediate repair, advise your agent as soon as possible, so that your claim can be processed on a priority basis.
Contact your insurance agent. Your agent will notify your company of your claim and provide you with information on how your company will proceed with it.
Inventory all property damage for your insurance company's adjuster, the person the company will likely send to assess your damages. Be sure to identify and save all personal property that was damaged in the storm for the adjuster to look at.
Work with your agent and company to resolve any problems you may have with your claim. If you cannot resolve the problem, contact the Insurance Department at 701.328.2440, or toll free at 800.247.0560 for assistance.
Above all, be patient. A severe storm causing extensive damage and involving many claims will take time to process. Working cooperatively with your agent and company can make processing your claim more efficient.
Following these steps can greatly increase the efficiency of the claims process. At this time, I do not have a firm estimate on the extent of the damages, but we are working through that process right now. However, it's clear from initial reports that many homes, cars and other property were hit pretty hard," Poolman said.
