June in Wisconsin means… well, it means the end of Winter, at least. But when our Winter storm problems finally give us a break, we have Summer storm problems to start worrying about, tornadoes and wind storms and rains. You know the drill: Keep supplies on hand, storm windows installed, and so on. Being prepared for a storm is important, but it’s just as important to be prepared for handling the aftermath of a storm.
- Read up on your insurance policy. You’re probably covered for wind damages, which is going to be the main concern when it comes to Summer storms. But it’s always good to know exactly what is and isn’t covered on your basic homeowner’s policy, and where you might need some additional protection.
- After a storm, be sure to protect your home and possessions wherever possible. Some repairs are out of your hands until you call your insurer, but if you have the option to, say, shut the water off to prevent a broken pipe from ruining your drywall, then you’ll want to get that taken care of.
- Get a look at the damages and then call your insurance agent to file a claim. They’ll send someone out to appraise the damages and determine what it’s going to cost to get them taken care of.
- Try not to stress out! Anything damaged can usually be repaired or replaced. Even a mild storm can leave you a bundle of nerves, so take some time to relax and stay calm.
- Be on the lookout for storm chasers when hiring contractors. A storm chaser is a fly-by-night scammer who preys on desperate homeowners following a storm, and usually takes the check from your insurer and skips town. They’ve been known to fabricate damages, or even create damage themselves, to justify their repair contracts. As a general rule: Legitimate contractors aren’t going to be cold-calling you or going door to door to get business. A legitimate contractor has more than enough business on their hands following a storm.
- Research your contractors. Best case scenario: You already have your contractors in mind, they’re the guys that helped you build your house or add that extra room or patch your roof up after the last storm season. If you don’t already have your contractors on call, look for companies with a big online footprint, lots of reviews and recommendations, and a website more than a couple of days old.
Wisconsin is a beautiful place to live, but it comes with its own weather issues like any other state. We’ve got blizzards and freezing temperatures throughout the Winter, rainstorms in the Spring, and wind and tornadoes throughout late Spring and Summer. But, if we plan ahead they can all be managed. To make sure you have the proper coverage in place for all seasons, be sure to call Heinen & Associates.