Tornadoes are strong, destructive natural catastrophes that can seriously damage residential and commercial structures. Although they can occur anywhere in the world, they are more frequent in some areas, such as the Midwest and Southeast of the United States.
Understanding how tornadoes can harm a property and the procedures to follow in order to file an insurance claim are crucial following a tornado.
Notably, the destruction of or damage to the structural components of a home or commercial property is one of the most evident ways that tornadoes damage property. A building may be completely destroyed or have its walls, roof, and other structural components damaged.
Tornadoes can also damage a building’s plumbing and electrical systems, as well as damage furniture, appliances, and other personal items.
Often times, property damage from tornadoes results from the impact of flying debris. Broken glass, falling tree branches, and other debris can harm a building’s exterior and inside, including personal possessions.
Following a tornado, it’s crucial to document the damage as quickly as possible in order to submit an insurance claim for tornado-related damages. This can be achieved by documenting the damage with photographs and videos, as well as by creating a list of all the items that were damaged or lost.
Additionally, you must contact your insurance agent and insurance provider as soon as you can to report the damage and start the claims process.
Critically, not all insurance policies are created equally and your rights, obligations, and coverages may vary. Certain types of damage, such as those brought on by flooding or landslides that can happen as a result of a tornado but may not be covered by all insurance policies. Therefore, it is important to understand the terms of your policy and what types of damage are covered. To make sure you do not negatively impact your claim, you will want to consider hiring a first party insurance claims attorney to assist you through the claims process and file a lawsuit against your insurer if it does not treat you fairly.
Notably, if a tornado damages your property you may be eligible for assistance through government programs, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or the Small Business Administration. These programs may be able to offer funding for restoration and rebuilding.
Contact The Farber Law Firm
If insurer delays, denies or underpays your tornado claim, do not hesitate to contact The Farber Law Firm as we can help! We are skilled and knowledgeable insurance lawyers who have assisted 100s, if not 1000s, of clients in obtaining the compensation they so desperately need to repair their residential or commercial property.