Claim teams from American Family help customers in Nebraska and Iowa with hail and wind damage
Customers are encouraged to report hail and wind damage claims after fast-moving storm seeps across the heartland.
Catastrophe teams from American Family Insurance are joining local claim office employees in Nebraska and Iowa to help customers recover from a severe storm with hail, fierce winds and heavy rainfall that damaged vehicles, homes, businesses and farms.
Claim employees are contacting customers and set up appointments to inspect their property. Customers with damage to their vehicles should also report claims as soon as possible to get appointments at a drive-in site.
American Family’s efforts are focused on helping customers in and around Omaha, Nebraska, Council Bluff and Sioux City Iowa. (Counties include Dakota, Douglas & Sarpy in Nebraska and Pottawattamie and Woodbury in Iowa.)
American Family Insurance customers who have claims from storm damage should immediately contact the company's 24-hour Customer Care Center, 1-800-MY-AMFAM (692-6326). They can also report claims to their local American Family agent, or online at www.amfam.com/claims.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
Can I start to make repairs to prevent further damage?
You should protect your property immediately against further damage and theft. Use plywood, tarps or other materials to cover broken windows and damaged rooftops. Keep the receipts of any materials/services that you purchase to make these repairs so your adjuster can review them and reimburse you for expenses covered by your policy.
Do I have coverage to replace damaged trees or remove tree debris caused by the storm?
Homeowners insurance generally does not cover damage to trees or the removal of tree debris from the property. If a tree has fallen on your home and caused damage, however, we pay to cut away that part of the tree so repairs can be made; most policies pay up to $500 for removing that part of the tree from the property. Check your policy for specific coverage.
The storm caused a neighbor's tree to fall on my house? Whose insurance company should I report my claim to - the neighbor's or mine?
Report the claim to American Family Insurance. Since the cause of damage was an act of nature, your insurance policy applies. If the roles were reversed and a tree from your property fell on your neighbor's home, the neighbor's insurance policy would apply.
How will the inspection process work?
If your home has sustained hail damage, an adjuster will contact you at one of the phone numbers you provided when you reported your claim. The two of you will schedule an inspection of your home, after which the adjuster will develop an estimate and issue payment for repairs covered by your policy.
Who do I call to make repairs?
You are free to select any contractor (home) or repair shop (auto) you wish. It is usually best to select one who has operated in the area for several years, is insured and bonded and gives you a written guarantee for the work performed.
About American Family Insurance
Madison, Wisconsin-based American Family Insurance group, celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2017, is the nation's 13th-largest property/casualty insurance group and ranks No. 315 on the Fortune 500 list. The company sells American Family-brand products, including auto, homeowners, life, business and farm/ranch insurance, through its exclusive agents in 19 states. American Family affiliates (The General and Homesite) also provide options for consumers who want to manage their insurance matters directly over the Internet or by phone. Web www.amfam.com; Facebook www.facebook.com/amfam; Twitter www.twitter.com/amfam.
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