Homeowners Insurance Companies Reach Out to Ida Victims

Published: Thu 19 Nov 2009

Larry Roth - Staff Writer

Mercury Insurance Company is one of the many insurers standing by to help homeowners insurance policyholders who might need to evacuate their homes or whose homes have suffered wind or rain damage from Tropical Storm Ida. Although Ida was recently downgraded to a tropical depression from tropical storm status, the storm is still packing a wallop.

The unusual storm came very late in hurricane season and forced Florida Governor Charlie Crist to declare a state of emergency. The declaration came after Miami's National Hurricane Center predicted heavy rain and winds.

Mercury and other homeowners insurance companies in Florida have set up 24-hour hotlines through which policyholders can file claims related to the storm.

"Heavy winds and rain can damage roof tiles and shingles, and degrade an otherwise good roofing system," explained Joanna Moore, the chief claims officer for Mercury. "Rain damage--like flood damage--can be very complex to evaluate, but our claims adjusters will work with policyholders to resolve claims related to leaking roofs due to wind and rain damage."

Mercury's claims specialists will evaluate rain damage claims if they are covered by a standard home insurance policy. More serious damage related to debris flows and flooding is usually covered by a freestanding flood insurance policy issued by the National Flood Insurance Program.

"Unless someone lives in a flood zone or is required by their lender to have flood insurance, it's unlikely that they would have that kind of coverage," Moore said. "But sometimes standard homeowners policies include provisions for water damage under special conditions, and Mercury's claims team can determine this for its policyholders."

Like most insurers, Mercury advises policyholders to review their homeowners insurance coverage yearly with an insurance agent. Homeowners who live near a flood-risk zone or in a region where heavy rain could produce hazards should seriously consider purchasing a flood insurance policy as well.

Some homeowners insurance policies also will not cover hurricane-related wind damage, which is why it's important for homeowners who live in hurricane-prone areas to review their coverage before the season arrives. The home insurance coverage should pay for wind and flood damage related to a hurricane. If it doesn't, the homeowner may need to invest in a separate flood or wind insurance policy.

Homeowners who live in areas that might be struck by Ida should verify that they have a current home inventory, or a list of all of their belongings, to provide to the insurance company if necessary. Photos or videotape is also an acceptable substitute for a paper inventory.