Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) urges Pennsylvanians to review their homeowners’ insurance policies and take the necessary steps around their properties to protect their homes from spring-related storm damage.
“We’re encouraging homeowners to take a serious look at their current coverage before spring officially arrives,” said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys. “Along with snow melting, spring weather is typically accompanied by heavy rainfall, so now is a great time to make sure you have adequate coverage, especially when it comes to flood damage.”
The Commonwealth has a competitive and robust insurance marketplace, and Pennsylvanians can shop for homeowners’ insurance at any time.
Even homeowners who are satisfied with their current coverage should still review their policies. Specifically, homeowners should check:
- Whether you are insured for replacement cost coverage or actual cash value of the property;
- The amount of your deductibles, including peril-specific deductibles for wind and hail; and
- That you are covered for flood damage. Flood insurance is not included in a standard homeowners’ insurance policy, so many insurers will offer flood insurance coverage for an additional premium, or homeowners may purchase a stand-alone policy from some private insurers or the National Flood Insurance Program. As a reminder, just one inch of rain can cause thousands of dollars in flood damage, so it’s important that Pennsylvanians consider purchasing a policy.
PID also recommends homeowners consider ways they can minimize potential storm damage to their home. This includes:
- Clearing gutters and downspouts;
- Trimming trees away from their home and power lines;
- Clearing walkways and driveways of potential hazards;
- Installing storm shutters;
- Securing outdoor furniture;
- Inspecting the underside of the roof for possible leaks; and
- Knowing how to shut off their utilities.
Pennsylvanians whose homes experience damage from severe weather should immediately contact their insurance agent or company and keep an accurate record of who they spoke with, including the date and time. It’s also important to provide the insurer with all the necessary information needed to file the claim, and to take photos and videos before clean-up or repair. After documenting, PID encourages homeowners to make immediate, temporary repairs to prevent further damage. Additional information is available on PID’s Natural Disaster Insurance Guide webpage.
Pennsylvanians can visit PID’s Homeowners’ Insurance page to learn more about homeowners’ insurance, what’s typically covered in a standard homeowners’ policy, and more.
Pennsylvanians with questions about their insurance or who wish to file a complaint can visit pa.gov/consumer or call 1-866-PA-COMPLAINT (1-866-722-6675).