7 On Your Side: What storm damage is covered by insurance
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- On Thursday there was a great deal of flood and storm damage, fortunately much of the loss will be covered by insurance. So 7 On Your Side takes a look at what damage will be covered and what damage won't?
Many of us pay big bucks every year for homeowners insurance and then don't much think much about it, until an event like this hits, and then we wonder, "Am I covered?"
Homeowner's insurance -- it's a Bill Jim Sugrue paid year after year, without much thought until a storm earlier this year brought a tree crashing onto his house.
"You could see the front door is blocked, the walkway is ripped up," Sugrue said.
Branches came right through the roof, literally cracking the walls. He said, "I couldn't get over how fast Liberty Mutual worked. The adjuster was there within 24 hours and I had a check within 10 days, that covered all of what they promised."
So what do insurance companies promise?
Well, you have to check your policy, but most homeowners will insure a tree that falls and any wind damage to your home.
With water it gets tricky, but here is the basic rule -- if water falls it is covered, if water rises it is not.
So if your basement floods, you probably are on your own, but if your roof is damaged and rain gets in, you are most likely covered.
Cars are covered, but only if the owner carries comprehensive coverage.
It is the same with a falling tree. If you have comprehensive, you are most likely covered.
And 7 On Your Side has found car insurance companies in California pay these types of claims so rarely that car owners are seldom given any grief. Either way, take lots of pictures to document any loss.
If you have any questions call your agent. If they give you any grief, tell them to knock it off. You have been paying for years and need some of their time.
If you feel slighted even a little bit, you might want to think about dumping them. Many homeowners can get cheaper rates by switching companies anyway. So they ought to be there on your side and on your team when you need them to be.
Michael Finney answers common insurance questions
Here are some of the questions Finney answers, but watch here for his full, detailed responses. There are a lot of tricky things he can warn you about.
Question: Will homeowners insurance cover your stuff if you have a leak in your roof and the rain is flooding your closet?
Finney's answer: It depends upon what caused the leak.
Question: When a tree falls on your house, who do you call?
Finney's answer: This is actually trickier than you think. (Watch the video above for his full response.)
Question: When you gutters get clogged and overflowing rain caused a leak, will you be covered?
Finney's answer: Insurance companies are getting very strict about this. If you haven't cleared out your gutters, they may try to blame you.
Michael Finney reminds everyone that you have the right to argue, argue, argue. And if you don't want to argue on your behalf, contact 7 On Your Side and we can do it for you.
