December Newsletter 2023

If frozen or burst pipes or ice or heavy snow from recent extreme winter weather damaged your home or business, Farrand Claim Consulting will help guide you on documenting and calculating the cost of needed repairs, understanding and enforcing your rights to the insurance coverage you paid for, getting a fair claim settlement and finding qualified professional, charitable, and government help.

Property insurance policies should cover damage caused by winter storms, including unexpected burst pipes and the resulting damage when water wicks into insulation, flooring, walls, etc. However, the damage 2021 winter storms caused throughout impacted states was extensive and involved water and roofs, and some insurers had already signaled that they will be rejecting some claims and limiting payouts for repairs due to language they’ve written into their policies.

Property owners are advised to focus on getting a complete current copy of their insurance policies, finding reputable professional help to make temporary repairs, and drying out moisture ASAP. Things are still chaotic in the impacted regions, there is a limited supply of local trustworthy repair pros, and it’s important to protect your property from further damage while you sort out options and opinions about the best way to restore your assets.

If snow accumulates on the roof and it collapses, or ice dams formed due to melting and re-freezing caused water to seep into your ceiling and walls, your insurer should pay for needed repairs (above the applicable deductible) to restore your property as close as possible to its pre-loss condition. The statewide power outages in some states were beyond the control of property owners and your insurer should not withhold benefits to pay for repairs by pointing the finger at a utility company or agency.