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Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Meet with your adjuster before signing anything with contractors, lawyers or public adjusters. Public adjusters are not connected with the insurance company and charge fees for their services. If a reasonable amount of time passes (about three days for a major disaster) and you haven't heard from your adjuster, contact the Kentucky Department of Insurance at 800-595-6053 and ask for the Consumer Protection and Education Division. (TDD for the deaf/hard-of-hearing: 800-648-6056.)



While you wait for the adjuster, take action to prevent further damage, such as covering holes in the roof and windows. Don't make permanent repairs until the adjuster has inspected the property. Create a detailed list of damaged items, and take photos if possible. Save a remnant of items that must be thrown away. Keep all your receipts (for tarps and a wet/dry-vac, for example) and document the time you spend securing your property. Keep a record of conversations with insurance personnel and other officials including the person's name, the time and date and a summary of what you talked about.



When settling your claim, you are entitled to be reimbursed fairly for your loss, but you can't collect more than the face value of your policy. You also can't collect for uninsured items, such as landscaping. Lodging and living expenses should be reasonable and you should keep receipts. Most policies cover tree removal if it falls on a covered structure. The value of the tree is usually not covered and your policy won't pay to remove it if it doesn't damage anything when it falls. Depending on the type of loss, your insurance may pay for removal of debris from your property in association with that loss. Coverage for debris removal may be limited to a specific dollar amount. Read your policy or check with the agent or company for details. The first check you get from your insurance company is often an advance, not a final payment.



If you're offered an on-the-spot settlement, you can accept the check right away but make sure that if you find other damage you can "reopen" the claim and file for an additional amount. Most policies require claims to be filed within one year from the date of disaster. Don't agree to a final settlement until you are satisfied that it is fair. You are entitled to obtain independent estimates if you wish. Source: Kentucky Department of Insurance.

Insurance claims climb as ice thaws

Kentucky insurance carriers have taken thousands of claims as a result of this week's ice storm, and agents said yesterday they expect to hear from more policyholders as power is restored.