Ky. Insurance Dept. Publishes ‘After the Storm’ Booklet

The Kentucky Office of Insurance has just published a consumer’s booklet “After the Storm Has Passed, Settling Disaster Claims: Who to Call and What to Do.”

The eight-page booklet features a check-sheet making it easy to keep track of what to do after the storm, including blanks where the policyholder can fill in the insurance agent’s name and phone number, policy number and renewal date. The check-off sheet includes items to discuss, including housing allowances, storage and car rental.

After the claim is reported, the booklet has information on the date reported, claim number and insurance company. It also describes what information to have on hand, information to write down in case the policyholder has to contact the agent and things to ask, like details on claim deadlines, arrangements for an adjuster, temporary housing and living expenses. It also has a section about what to do when the adjuster arrives.

The rest of the booklet includes questions and answers about how to make a claim, what to do while waiting for the adjuster, keeping records, how to settle your claim and avoiding fly-by-night contractors.

At the back of the booklet is a two-page consumer complaint form including the contact numbers at the Kentucky Office of Insurance. The booklet concludes with information about how to prepare before a storm hits and frequently asked questions about floods and earthquakes.

The last page of the booklet gives useful contacts like the National Weather Service, FEMA, the American Red Cross, the National Flood Insurance Program and the Small Business Administration.

The booklet can be downloaded from http://ppr.ky.gov.