What to Do If You Have Storm, Hail Damage

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY – As Oklahomans work to recover from the recent tornado outbreak and severe hail storm, News9.com breaks down what you need to know if you have storm and hail damage.

Filing an Insurance Claim

State emergency management officials and Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland recommend Oklahomans with storm damage call their insurance company as soon as possible. The Insurance Department suggest following this steps:

• Call your insurance company or agent with your policy number and other relevant information as soon as possible. Cooperate fully with the insurance company, and ask what documents, forms and data you will need.
• Take photographs/video of the damage.
• Make the repairs necessary to prevent further damage to your property (i.e., cover broken windows, leaking roofs and damaged walls). Do not have permanent repairs made until your insurance company has inspected the property and you have reached an agreement on the cost of repairs. An insurance company may deny a claim if you make permanent repairs before the damage is inspected.
• Save all receipts, including those from the temporary repairs covered by your insurance policy.
• If your home is damaged to the extent that you cannot live there, ask your insurance company if you have coverage for additional living expenses incurred while repairs are being made. Save all receipts to document these costs.

For more tips visit, the state Insurance Department Web site or call the department's Consumer hotline at 1-800-522-0071.

Dealing With Roofing Companies

Within hours after the storm tore through Oklahomans, some roofing companies were out knocking on people's doors. NEWS 9 asked local roofing company Above All Roofing for advice on dealing with roofers:

• Make sure you are clear with your roofer that no money will be paid until your insurance company gets involved.
• Get everything in writing and make sure you read the fine print.
• There are many good roofers around. Legitimate ones should have proof of insurance and a satisfactory rating with the Better Business Bureau.

You can checkout roofing companies' ratings on the Better Business Bureau Web site.

Car Repairs for Hail, Storm Damage

Many Oklahomans know all about the dents and dings caused by hail storms in the state and NEWS 9 spoke with a local auto body shop so you don't get scammed on your car repairs.

• Before you choose a shop, do your research, get a recommendation from a friend or check with the Better Business Bureau.
• Make sure you get a written warranty. 
• Let the shop know you or your insurance company will inspect their work.
• Before you choose paintless dent removal, make sure the shop knows you do NOT want them drilling into your car. Its a short cut that can lessen the structural safety of your car.

"You just want them, the repairer, to understand that you're informed and when this car is done you're going to have a second set of eyes look at it," said Gary Wano, the owner or GW & Son Auto Body.

Watching Out for Scammers

Attorney General Drew Edmondson warned Oklahomans to be on the lookout for scammers who try to profit from the recent storm. Edmondson suggest being leery of anyone who:

• Solicits door-to-door
• Offers discounts for finding other customers
• "Just happen to have" materials left over from a previous job
• Accepts only cash payments
• Pressures you for an immediate decision
• Asks you to pay for the entire job up-front

To protect yourself, the attorney general's office says you should:

• Ask people you trust for referrals
• Whenever possible, deal with local firms with roots in the community
• Check out the repairman with the attorney general's Consumer Protection Unit and the Better Business Bureau
• Ask for customer references
• Get written estimates from several firms
• Don't do business without a written contract
• Get all guarantees, warranties and promises in writing
• Agree on start and completion dates and have them written into the contract