Storm Claims FAQ

If your policy covers Additional Living Expenses, and if your home is uninhabitable from a covered loss, we’ll reimburse you for reasonable increased costs needed to maintain your normal standard of living. These expenses might include hotel bills, restaurant meals, etc. Please check your policy or speak with a Farm Bureau agent for details on what expenses are covered.

If your policy provides rental reimbursement coverage, we’ll set up a rental vehicle while your claim is evaluated, and vehicle repairs or replacement are finalized. Payment is subject to the limits of your policy, or the reasonable amount of time to get repairs completed or a replacement in place to minimize the rental expenses.

A representative will contact you to determine if an inspection is needed or if your loss can be settled by phone. If an inspection is needed, we'll work with you to arrange a visit. If the damage was caused by a large storm event, we’ll make every attempt to get to each affected client/member as quickly as possible, but we try to schedule those who have the most serious damage first.

Your policy requires you to protect your property from sustaining any additional damage from a covered loss. Your policy will pay for reasonable costs you incur to temporarily repair covered property to protect it from additional damage or loss. Save your receipts for any reasonable and necessary temporary or emergency repairs and take photos if possible!

Unless specifically requested by your claims representative, you don’t need to get an estimate prior to our inspection. Your claims representative will prepare an estimate for the damage covered by your policy and provide you with a copy. When selecting a contractor to complete the repairs, we recommend that you do not sign a contract, agreement, or work order until you review the contractor’s estimate and have an agreement on the scope, price, and timeline for repairs to be completed. Consider checking references, licenses, and obtain referrals from a trusted source prior to choosing a contractor or body shop.  Your contractor may indicate they will handle all the claim details and damages for you and may request you sign forms.  Please review all forms carefully as some forms reassign the complete claim to them including; payments along with other rights and duties you may have.  Should you have questions, please check with your agent or assigned claim representative.    

Our estimates are based on your geographical market rates using similar kind and quality materials. You may provide a copy of the insurance estimate to the contractor so he or she can determine any differences and contact the claims representative if needed. In many instances, we can resolve the differences over the phone with you and your contractor.

Your estimate may include depreciation for items and materials being replaced to reflect their current age, wear or market value.

There are many scenarios for this. Please check with your claims representative upon inspection. He or she can walk you through the process and timeline.

Mortgages and lien holders are often named on your policy, and most require that their name be listed on claim payments to protect their interest in your property. You’ll need to contact them to find out how they handle their endorsement on insurance claim payments. If you’ve recently paid off your loan, notify your agent to have the mortgage company or lien holder removed from your policy.

Most policies include deductibles that reflect the part of the covered loss you must pay. You will be responsible to pay the deductible along with the insurance money you have received from us directly to your repair contractor after repairs are completed.

If your claim involves personal property and your policy provides coverage, make a list of all your damaged items to give to your claims representative. Be sure to include as much detail about the items as you can, including the manufacturer’s name and model number, purchase date or age of each item, price paid, etc. Also indicate whether the item can be repaired. Your claims representative can provide you an inventory form, if needed.

Contact your claims representative immediately so we can determine if your policy provides coverage for these additional damages, and if an additional inspection is warranted. Please be aware repairs made prior to our review may not be covered.

Every state has different guidelines for changes in premiums. These guidelines, along with your prior claim history and other policy specific factors, determine if this claim will affect your premiums. Check with your Farm Bureau agent to determine your specific situation.