5 tips for filing a hurricane damage claim with homeowners

LITTLE ELM (CBSNewsTexas.com) – In the coming months, North Texas homeowners are likely to face several more devastating storms like the one that hit the area Thursday night.

If a homeowner needs to file a claim, Texas Watch offers the following advice:

1. Report complaints immediately
2. Document all damage
3. Save Receipts
4. be on inspection
5. Read your policy

In recent years, basic homeowner policies have become anything but standard. A wide variety of coverage plans can result in homeowners being underinsured where they thought they were insured.

Wendell said one of the most important policy changes is roof repairs. Some policies have “actual cash value” coverage that takes into account depreciation, while others are “replacement cost” coverage that typically pays for the cost of a new roof regardless of the old one’s age.

Wendell said: “More and more insurance companies are trying to push people towards real money policies that cover a lot less because they don’t pay you for depreciation. You have to pay for it yourself. So look for policies that cover replacement cost. if you want more protection.”