Everything You Need to Know About Catastrophe Claims

Following a catastrophe, there’s a lot of stress and worry. When there’s been a flood, natural disaster, or another significant catastrophe, you’re faced with a very difficult situation. You worry about the damage to your home or business and how you’re ever going to recover.

This is where catastrophe claims become important. Having insurance and knowing that you’ll be covered and able to get repairs done can give you significant peace of mind. This article provides everything you need to know about catastrophes, property damage, insurance claims, and more.

What Are the Causes of a Catastrophe?

Many catastrophes are also known as natural disasters, but these aren’t the only situations that can be considered catastrophes. Hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, and other such disasters are all catastrophes. So are wildfires, hail, floods, and other situations that can cause serious damage.

Incidents directly caused by humans are also often considered to be catastrophes. This includes conflicts, transport accidents, civil unrest, terrorism, and more.

In short, a catastrophe refers to a single event that causes significant widespread losses.

Where Do Catastrophes Occur?

Disasters and catastrophes can occur almost anywhere. Some, such as earthquakes or hurricanes, are more common in certain regions. Others, such as fires or floods, can happen nearly anywhere.

What Do Catastrophes Cost?

Damage caused by catastrophes can be significant and these repairs can be incredibly costly. Not only will major repairs likely need to be done to your property, but there is often you’ll need to consider the cost of relocation. 

If external accommodations are needed, these costs can quickly get expensive. If the property is commercial and business activities are halted or hampered, there could be a serious loss of revenue as well.

However, having the right catastrophic insurance policy can help you get back on your feet.

What Can You Do if Your Property Is Damaged Due to a Catastrophe?

When disaster strikes and your home or business property is damaged, you may be unsure of what to do. This is a stressful situation. However, once you’ve gotten to safety and know the status of everyone associated with the building (family, coworkers, etc.), you’ll want to call your insurance company.

The insurance provider will send someone to look at the property when it is safe to do so. The sooner you call your insurance company the better, since the restoration process can begin more quickly once insurance is involved. If you require temporary accommodations during the repair process, your insurance company can help you there as well.

The catastrophe claims adjuster will ask what caused the damage, investigate the extent of the damage, and determine what steps to take next. They will also explain your coverage to you, let you know what you should do next, help you store your belongings (if necessary), suggest contractors who can do the restoration, and much more. They may even be able to assist with catastrophic injury claims, if necessary.

What Can You Do to Prevent Becoming a Victim Due to a Catastrophe?

You can’t usually stop catastrophes from happening, but you can have a plan for what to do if you end up dealing with a catastrophic situation. For example, having an emergency preparedness kit that contains a battery-operated radio, a flashlight, and some cash can be very helpful. You may also want to have any essential medications and copies of prescriptions in your emergency kit in case you end up displaced from your home.

Contact Us Today

Having the right insurance is important. If disaster strikes, it provides incredible peace of mind to know that you’ll be covered. 

For more information on catastrophe insurance claims or to talk to one of the experts at TSO Adjustment Service about your insurance needs, you can contact us online or call 215-886-7440.